Brief Summary of Medical Findings in the Marshallese AOS Lo? Accidentally Exposed to Radioactive Fallout in 1954 The accidental exposure occurred on March 1, 1954 following detonation of a thermonuclear devise on Bikini in the Pacific Proving Grounds. A shift in wind resulted in fallout on the following inhabited islands» Island Distance from Bikini Rongelap . No. of People Estimated Gamma dose 105 miles 64 Ailingnae 110 " 18 69 Rongerik 135 26" 28° 70=—C"" Utirik 275 " * 175 rads 158 14 " =" American Service men There were no deaths but certain acute effects were noted, particularly in the Rongelap peeple. Transcient depression of blood cells was follow- ed by recovery to near normal levels by one year, Fallout deposited on the body resulted in skin burns and spotty loss of hair in the Rongelap, Ailingnae and Rongerik groups, out complications in The burns healed and the hair regrew with- several months. Urine analyses revealed that inter- nal absorption of radioactive material had occurred from inhalation and ingestion of contaminated food and water but no acute effects were oabserved from this source (as will be seen below late effects did occur). Follow-up examinations during the first decade showed few findings that could be related to radiation exposure. Possibly related was the ‘ occurrence of about twice the number of miscarriages and stillbirtns in the exposed compared with unexposed Rongelap women. This differ- ence was not seen af ery2 yee Asse Us DOEA RCHIVES fit Bs i , RG "CMMsaGagROY CollectionDBm-EP Files ~COrR rx 6086Tab7923 | 1478 he Fe Pa