velow, and neutrophile counts dropped to 2500 or less.
The symptoms
of several persons who developed upper respiratory infections during
this period were carefully monitored.
When their temperatures
rose threateningly, they were given antibiotics to prevent further
complications and they responded favorably.
treated with medication.
In all, 12 persons were
Fortunately no immediate serious illnesses
appeared, nor where there any fatalities.
Urine samples were taken
to try to calculate the original amount of radioactive material taken
into tne bodies of people and to try to determine what amounts of
radioactive material still remained.
Fifty-two days after the bomb
exploded, seven people were selected from the Rongelap group to be
given a recovery agent, ethylene-diamine~tetra-acetic acid (EDTA),
which nas the ability to nelp speed the process of elimination of some
radionuclides through the body's normal functions.
The attempt was
ended after five days, however, when it was determined that the general
effect of reducing the amount of the body's radioactive burden was so
slignt as to be virtually useless.
This was due to the fact that
little was being excreted at that time, due in turn to the fact it had
been nearly two months since radioactive material had been ingested,
and it had become firmly settled in the tissues of the bodies.
by the time two months iad passed, after exposure,
any possible immediate danger had passed.
it appeare.
that
The exposed American service-
men, after careful study which showed no positive findings, were
released to their duty stations.
At the end of three months, the
*
people of Utirik, wno reportedly received the lowest dose of radioactivity
1O14b9
85
3