TIRE §=9Medical Studies of the People of the Marshall Islands Accidentally Exposed BUOGET AND REPORTING CODE DATE PREPARED 03/31/81. HA-02-01-0i1 to Fallout CONTRACTOR NAME COE BNL Associoted Universities, Inc. 20. Detail Attachments. cont. f. Technical Progress. cont. Expected Progress in FY 1981. unexposed person from Wotje). WP NUMBER TASK NO. REV. NO. 0 cont. The three exposed were brought to BNL on January 8, 1981 and were operated on in Cleveland the week of January 12th. benign, and one was an adenocarcinoma. Two tumors were To date, summaries of pertinent diagnoses of all exposed personnel have been completed and will be forwarded to the resident physician and to Majuro after the exposure history and other pertinent data are microfiched. The examination of large numbers of Bikini people and extension of surveys to Wotje, Likiep, and other atolls cannot be undertaken without additional funding for BNL. It is probably unwise for BNL to undertake such epidemiologic surveys. The study of the Bikini people resident at Ejit and Ebeye is reasonable if planned ahead. The entire BNL program should be revised if and when the Burton Bill is implemented, to assure that there is no duplication and that the programs complement each other. Expected Progress in FY 1982. In view of the serious late effects of fallout exposure, continued medical surveillance of the exposed populations is mandatory as the studies are still in the latent period of a number of significant carcinomas. Special examinations for the thyroid abnormalities, as well as for neoplasia of other organs and tissues, and other late effects, must be continued. In light of the recent renewal of interest of long-term effects of “low level" radiation, the data from this study, even though the population is small, should serve as one of the longest prospective studies of the effects of both acute high level and long-term low level external and internal radiation. Other studies to be pursued include: a) thyroid comparison studies with thyroid surgery in the United States on unexposed Rongelap and Utirik people in the extended comparison study where such surgery is indicated; b) reevaluation of dosimetry of the Utirik people, including thyroid doses; ¢) study of the nature and the treatment of diabetes in Marshallese to include trace element aralysis of the people and the echosystem; d) studies with Dr. Riymond A. Popp of Oak Ridge for frequency of isolucine substitution in hemoglobin of Marshallese blood as an index of somatic mutations associated with radiation exposure and aging; and e) studies of polymorphism and rare protein variance in the blood cells of children of exposed and unexposed parents--Dr. James V. Neel at the University of Michigan has expanded his battery of tests for these variants and has agreed to continue these studies on Marshallese children. Expected Progress in FY 1983. Continuation of the medical surveys and limited primary care of the Marshallese is anticipated on an indefinite basis. examinations for thyroid abnormalities, Emphasis will be placed on the previously-mentioned cancers, an aat * NS HA-0a—-/7 l013209