could be related to the people,
persons were evacuated,
for when the Rongelapese and other affected
their pigs and chickens were left behind on the island.
These animals were later collected and sacrificed at various times and
radiological studies made of all their tissues.
With the findings from these
studies,
the doctors
then attempted to extrapolate the information to human
beings.
While they realized that extrapolations from animals cannot truly
represent the actual situation with humans,
they at least provided a guideline.
The conclusions in the 1956 report considered the possible effects of radioactive iodine,
cesium and strontium.
As to the effects of iodine,
it was
thought that the amount received was estimated to be "about 150 rep.
Rongelap group (sic) and 50 rep.
for the Americans."
This amount,
for
the report
said, while high, was relatively low in comparison to doses persons receive in
radiation therapy.
As to the other radioactive elements, such as strontium,
the report concluded:
an
an evaluation of the date on the internal contamination,
including that of Sr 89,
leads to the conclusion that the internal
hazard to the contaminated inhabitants of the Marshall Islands is
minimal both from the acute and longrange point of view."
[emphasis added]
(p.74)
With the discovery in 1964 of thyroid nodules in exposed Rongelapese, a
recalculation of the total internal dose of all radioactive elements,
including
radioactive iodine was made by James for children (Rongelap girls 3-4 years
old).
James! recalculations yielded figures considerably higher than the
original estimates
calculations.
for he had considered a factor overlooked in earlier
This factor was the relative size of the thyroid in children
as opposed to adults.
The earlier calculations had assumed a constant
thyroid weight for all persons (about 20 grams).
fo14¥701
”
James, however, used 3