TITLE
=6Medical Studies of the People
BUDGET AND REPORTING CODE
of the Marshall Islands Accidentally
Exposed to Fallout
CONTRACTOR NAME
20.
a.
HA-02-01-01
CODE
Associated Universities, Inc.
DATE PREPARED
WP NUMBER
03/31/81
TASK NO.
REY. NO.
BNL
oO
Detail Attachments.
Facility Requirements.
Although the Liktanur II does not fulfill all the requirements for the BNL
medical
team,
the Marshall
Island Airline will be able
to transport personnel to
Rongelap and Utirik commencing in FY'81 and, in part, fulfill the necessity of
having a larger ship.
Since there is adequate air transportation from Kwajalein
to Majuro, the Liktanur II will not be required after a Medical Facility is built
om Majuro next to the new hospital site.
Recent discussions with Marshall Island
Government officials indicate that the new hospital will not be constructed for at
least three years.
Since its laboratories and x-ray facilit-:s will be used, the
services of Liktanur II wili be required to provide laboratc .es and x ray until
the new hospital and the BNL Medical Facility are constructed.
b.
Publications.
None in FY 1980.
In the interest of economy, the 25th year Report will be
combined with the 26th year Annual Report and published in FY 1981.
Cc.
Purpose.
Post-exposure surveys in the Marshall Islands have been conducted for 26
years.
In addition to the 244 persons originally exposed, a group of unexposed
Marshallese are examined for a "comparison population’ to assess late effects of
radiation from fallout.
d.
Background.
.
The continuing development of thyroid neoplasms, biochemical hypothyroidism,
and the appearance of one case of acute
leukemia indicate the need for frequent
examinations.
In addition to routine physical, hematological, and other laboratory examinations, the surveys involve special studies related to aging, malignancy, reproduction, and measurement of body burdens of radionuclides resulting from
the slight contamination remaining on the islands.
Patients with thyroid nodules
are returned to the United Stares for hospitalization and surgical treatment as
indicated.
In view of the diverse medical problems and
their management,
a
physician, a Marshallese nurse-practitioner, and a laboratory technician are in
residence at Kwajalein and make intermittent trips to Rongelap, Majuro, and Utirik
to Supervise care and perform interim examinations of the exposed Marshallese.
@.
Approach.
R & D Methodology
The work is conducted in conformance with generally accepted methodology for
investigations of this character.
L/A- o02—H
1015202
oes