ITAEA-SM-224/607

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other radiation syndromessuch as radiodermatitis, epilation, decrease of
leucocytes, decrease of spermatozoa, etc. in the exposed Marshallese?

R.A. CONARD: The thyroid doses in the Marshallese were based primarily
on radio-iodine measurements in urine 15 days after exposure. Uncertainties
included length of time of the fall-out, relative absorption from inhalation versus
ingestion, etc. Therefore the doses are subject to error. The gamma doses
received should be more accurate, as they are in agreement with the values
estimated from the degree of haematological changes observed.
The skin lesions, epilation and haematological effects in the Marshallese

were similar to those reported by your group for the Japanese fishermen and
have been described elsewhere. We were not able to do sperm counts on the
Marshallese. No doubt there must have been some degree ofrelative sterility
soon after exposure, though in subsequent yearsfertility does not appear to
have been impaired.

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