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The studies on the Rongelap and Utirik animals included measurement of internal radioactive contimination and radiochemical analysis of excreta and tissues. The acute hemiatologl
cal and pathological effects of the exposure, as well as long term effects on these animals,
are being studied, In additton, fertilily and hatehabtlity studies us well as radfochemueul anal ysis of egyes laid by hens from Rongelap were performed.
_
These studies hive provided information on the extent and nature of the internal contaminition in the exposed human beings, For exumple, radiouutographs of animal bones prepared

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by NRDL. and Argonne National Laboratory®® (Figs. 5.3 and 5.4) indicate the pattern of skeletal distribution of fission products, particularly the high concentrations of radivelements
in the epiphyseal region of the long bones. Further, information on these animals (which received a much higher external radiation dose than was received by the native group and over
10 times the internal deposition) should be of considerable prognostic value for the human
beings.

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Fig. 5.3 Autoradiograph of Rongelap Chicken Tibia, 4 x, 21 hr Exposure. Animal Sacrificed
45 Days Post-exposure (Argonne Nationa] Laboratory Photo).

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5.3 ANIMAL STUDIES

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