4 turn of the people to Rongelap. The bodylevels of the unexposed people whoreturnedto the island also increased, becomingindistinguishable from those of the originally exposed group. However, the levels remain well below the maximum permissible limits. Analyses of bone samples on one of complete orlost in most instances, andvitalstatistics are therefore inadequate. Trust Territory officials are now attempting t@gssemble such data. 3. There is uncertainty omtapart of some of the Marshallese as to their exact ages, particularly amongtheolder group. This imposes certain diffi- calcium. outlined. the men whodied showed3.7 strontium-90 units/g OTHER STUDIES Other studies have been carried out on the Rongelap people whichare notdirectly related to radiation effects. An intensive intestinal parasite survey showed that the people were infected with manytypes of protozoa and helminths. This finding did not entirely accountfor the generally high incidence of eosinophilia. Other findings that need further explanation are the general anemic tendencies, the high plasmaprotein levels with increased gamma globulin, and the higher than normallevels of serum protein-bound iodine and vitamin B,,. Another investigation is concerned with genetic studies and determination of the anthropological background of the Marshallese culties in interpreting some of the studies to be COMPARISON POPULATIONS Duringthe first 2 years, two separate groups of Marshallese people were used for comparison, each of comparable size to the exposed Rongelap group and matchedfor age and sex. However,this population was foundto be unstable, with a large attrition rate over the 2 years, which madeit unsatisfactory. At the time of the 3-year survey, it was found that during the preceding 12 months the Rongelap population at Majuro Atoll had doubled because of the influx of relatives who had come back from otherislands to live with them. These people had been away from Rongelap on the origin of these people and the homogeniety Atoll at the time of the accidental exposure. This group matched reasonably well for age and sex and was of comparablesize. Since the return of the people to Rongelap, however, this group has about doubled insize. Since the people are of the samestock geneti- most closely those of the people from Southeast Asia and Indonesia, and the population appears comparison population and have, therefore, been used since 1957. from genetically determined traits. Among the traits studied were blood groups and hemoglobin and haptoglobin types. The results shed somelight of the population. Their blood groups resemble to be relatively homogeneous. DIFFICULTIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE EXAMINATIONS As mentioned in previous reports, several difficulties were associated with carrying out the examinations as well as interpreting the findings. 1. The language barrier made examinations difficult, since very little English is spoken by the Marshallese. However, there were sufficient English-speaking Marshallese to assist the medical team in mostinstances. 2. The lack of vital statistics or demographic data on the Marshallese imposed a serious diffi- culty in interpretation and evaluation of the medi- cally, they are uniquely appropriate to serve as a 1959 Survey BACKGROUND MATERIAL Organization For the 1959 survey, 5 years after the accident, the medical team consisted of seven physicians, one dentist, two scientific specialists, and nine technicians from variousinstitutions and laboratories in the United States. Several Marshallese practitioners and interpreters assisted in carrying out the examinations. A groupoffive scientists from the University of Washington, headed by Dr. E.E. Held, accom- cal data. Records of births, deaths, etc., have been panied the groupto collect soil, marine, and plant samples for radiochemical analysis. These studies lages and supposedly forwarded to the district administrator; however, such records have beenin- membersof the team visited Majuro to examine madeby the health aides or magistrates ofthevil- 960 16v3 are not included in this report. Prior to the main survey on Rongelap, several