OS-21-1994 12:20
5162825311
BNL-MED. DEPT.
P. 020
-18
By three days the lymphocytes dropped to 50% of the controld.
The percent
drop in the children less than 5 years of ago was greater than thatlof the people
greater than 5 yeara.
The lymphocyte count remained at approximately the same isvel
through the exposure period.
At 6 months, twelve months, two yearsfeni three yeara
the level though increasing had not quite reached that of the contrpl population.
Platelets
The maximum depression in platelets was obtained epproxina fly 28 to 30 dsys
after exposure in contrast to laboratory animals that attain their
between the 10th and 15th days after exposure.
finimun values
In this case the clildren under 10
years of age had a greater percentage drop than those vho were oldér.
The platelets
began to recover after the 30th day attained a maximum about the 4fth day.
There
Was then a seconcary drop with a leveling off for the remainder of[the pest exposure
period and at G6 months, 12 months, two years and throe years slow
under way.
Fecovery was still
The levels of the population were approaching the contfrols but have not
yet roached it.
In all of the hematologic studies mentioned abovd
it is stated that
the present levels are net equal to that of the controlled populatiion.
wish to cuphasize that the current levels of the blood cells of
However I
ajl types is more
than adequate to take care of the infeotions and the various troubles of everyday
existence,
This statistical expression of a inadequate recovery
probably represents
the residual radiation injury that is of considerable interest tofstudy but does
mot appear to be overtly harmful to the individuals.
One can bo Feasonably confident
in this because they are not faring less well in resistance to dibease than are the
Marshallese who were nonexposed and living in the same area.
- INTERNAL ABSORPTION OF RADIONUCLIDES
During the tvo days before evacuation, the Rongelap people Jived under cormditions
of extreme contamination without any concerted effarts to protec} themselves against
the dangers of internal contamination,
These individuals drank fontaninated water,
and ate their natural foodstuffs which were contaminated externally, Their hands
4