3.1
Introduction
Fanpocr oF Raptoactive material cormmenced
3.2
approximately 4-6 fours after detonation of
the thermonuclear device
On the most heave ly
OrRiNG Park First 24-48 hours after exposure,
ind adhered to the skin
tootirhing sensation of the skin. A few also
mouplamed of burning of the eves with lachry-
contaminated island. Rongelap, the fallout was
described as a powuery iaterial, “snowlike.”
which fell over a perod of several hours and
whitened the hair
ibout 2 percent of the Marshallese in the two
ugher exposure ¢roups experienced itching and
nition.
Less striking fallout desertbed us “mist-like™
was observed on Ailingsnae and
Fallout was not vis ble o- Utirik, which was
“The se-
verity of the skin manifestations was reughily
he subsequent development of skin lesions 1n
The people on Utirik, the farthhres EFPOUP.
proportional to the amount of fallout observed
The population of tae four island groups and
incidence of the skir lesions were as follows
Rongelap -
Ailinginae_
COM POUT EON
54 Marshallese
18 Marshallese
Rongerik.
23 White Ainerecane:
Utirik.
3 Negro Americans
157 Marshallese
Heavy
TRAE POS ED
stewie!
Moderate
tnistlike
Moderate
cnstlike
was accomplished one to two days after the
Decontamination of the skin was cam
menced aboard ship and completed after ur
rival at Kwajalein.
Skin exammations were carried out alneost
daily during the first 1] weeks and then again a’
6 months, Land 2 years ifter che werdent, bx
aminations of unexposed Amerieatis ind mit ve
personnel were also curred out fer compiaratl ve
purposes. Color photoeriptis and biopsies of
lesions im various st ives Po development wore
EXTEensIVENESS OF SIN LESIONS AND
EPILATION
Extensive.
Less extensive
Slight
No skin lesions or epilation,
Noe
Evacuation of exposed nersonnel to Kowaia
taken,
ast from tae detonation, had no early skin symp-
Ade a
lein, where medical facilities were avatlalile.
event.
These symptoms were present fo a
escer extent in the Americans on Rongerik
Viol] wha were aware of the danger, took shelerin aluminum buildings, bathed and changed
These precautions greatly reduced
beet des
Rongertk.
contaminated to only a mild degree.
{ROL P
Signs and Symptoms
era
Ad skin aymprtoms <itbsided within 1
o J clays
On arrival of the medical team on
he inth post-exposure day, the exposed perorne! appeared to be in good health. The
kit ippeared normal.
TLowever, evidence of
utineous radiation injury appeared about 2
vecks after expesure when epilation and skin
Erythema of the skin was
wocobserved erther during the early exXamuinaeds Viena prumary erythema might be exweted. oc later when a secondary ervthema
es Cty | oimmmencec.,
torot be expected.
ifter cuibsidenee of the tuitial skin svmiponi. for hes svinptoms referrable to the skin
Qi
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