14 low excretors either heterozygous or homozygous for the dominantallele. Striking differences in the incidence of high excretors in various populations have been demonstrated, and it appears that this genetic polymorphism may be of considerable value in anthropo-genetic investigations.”*-”* As a part of the study of the genetic relationships and origins of various Pacific peoples, this report extends observations on BAIB excretion to the Micronesians inhabiting the Marshall Islands. The fact that some of the Micronesians were ex- posed to considerable radiation in 1954 is of special interest here, since it is known that radiatlon exposure can, temporarily at least, increase BAIB excretion,”* and studies on the Marshallese population mayelucidate possible long-term ef- fects. Urine samples from 65 exposed and 119 unexposed people (75.7% of the population ofthe village) were collected in plastic bottles containing thymol preservative. The sexes were equally represented, and the ages varied from 3 to >70 years. In some cases several membersof the same family were included, and some kinships suitable for genetic analysis were available. Eighteen samples collected on Utirik were also studied. Urines were kept at 4°C and shippedin refrigerated containers to Seattle for analysis. These studies were carried out by one of us (B.S. Blumberg) and Dr. S.A. Gartler of the Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington. Studies were completed 2 to 3 weeks after collection ofthe specimens. Determinations of BAIB werecarried out by high voltage electrophoresis on paper,’? and creatinine was determinedbythe alkaline picrate method. Radionuclide Body Burden Evaluation The methods used in the radionuclide body burden evaluation are described later in a sepa- rate section. 1960 Survey BACKGROUND MATERIAL The 1960 survey was reducedin size and scope LJ co ct Cc | andlimited to a very brief examination ofthe exposed people only. Several factors brought about this change. The people had recovered to the extent that certain special examinations previously carried out every year need be done only once every two to three years. In addition, as pointed out before, the Trust TerritorQyofficials were con- cerned about the slowness of api recovery of the Rongelapese andfelt that the numerousvisiting scientific teams, particularly those with large ships and crews, were partly responsible for the unrest of the people and therefore requested that the size of the surveys be kept to a minimum.It was decided to defer the gammaspectrographic analysis until 1961. The Trust Territory officials agreed to greater participation of their medical personnel in future surveys and to the use of one of their cargo ships (Figure 9), which routinely madethe roundsofthe islands for gathering copra, for carrying out the survey at Rongelap. Ac- cordingly, for the 1960 survey the team consisted of only one physician and one technician from Brookhaven National Laboratory, and theremainderof the medical group, arranged bythe Trust Territory, included its Director of Public Health, two Marshallese medical officers, and two Micronesian laboratory technicians. The Director of Dental Services and oneof his dental officers also accompanied the team to carry out treatment of the people. The District Administrator of the Marshall Islands accompanied the team in order to consult with the people on their agricultural program.* Asin the previous year, several of the exposed people now living at Kwajalein and Majuro Atolls were examinedat these atolls prior to the Rongelap visit. PROCEDURES As in previous surveys, examinations were carried out in the dispensary and the schoolhouse in Rongelapvillage. Interval medical histories and complete physical examinations were carried out *Again in 1960, when the team arrived at Rongelap, the magistrate requested a meeting with the people. The line of questions and discussion was about the sameas that reported for the previous year. Resistance toward the examinations was expressed by only one or two of the people. Objections were again raised against the ban on eating coconut crabs, which selectively con- centrate Srto such an extent that their consumption hadto be prohibited (Figure 4). The people were assured that these crabs were being repeatedly examined and that, whenit wassafe to eat them, immediate notification would be given, Fish poisoning apparently had been less of a problem during the past year since only one case had been noted, and the subject was not brought up again. Following this meeting, cooperation by the people in the examinations was almost complete.