Published 1980 by Elsevier North Holland. Inc. K.F. Habner and S.A. Fry, eds. The Medical Basis for Radiation Accident Preparedness ‘ankfurt, sama T, is of the r Bomb 756, pp. The 1954 Bikini Atoll Incident: An Update of the Findings in the Marshallese People adiation ean AS ig Comidiation Robert A. Conard apanese I-197). Consultant and former Head ofthe Marshall island Medical Programat Brookhaven National Laboratory. ‘isand for the The thyroid findings in the Marshallese people accidentally exposed to radioactive fallout following the detonation of a nuclear device at Bikini in 1954 are reported in detail in a 20-year review” and other reports.'?? A 25-year review is being written. A brief updating ts presented here. The Marshallese populations with exposure data are listed in Table 1. The early effects of exposure on the Rongelap group were similar to those reported by Dr. Kumatori for the fishermen on the Lacky Dragon. Transient nausea and vomiting occurred in that group and to a lesser degree in the Ailingnae group but were not reported in the Utirik vroup. The major findings in the Rongelap group were depression of blood leukocytes and platelets to about one-half normal levels for 4 to 6 weeks. widespread “‘beta’’ burns of the skin with epilation, and significant ee ew me a te tee internal absorption of radionuclides. These findings were less pronounced in the Ailingnae group and were not documented in the Utirik population. These observations are described in detail tn earlier reports. Dunng the first decade there were few findings that could definitely be associated with radiation exposure: although there did appearto be a lag in complete recovery of leukocytes in the Rongelap group. During the second decade, however, there were serious developments in the exposed Rongelap group —a death from acute myelogenous leukemia and numerous thyroid abnormalities along with growth retardation in some ofthe children. Development of Thyroid Abnormalities Radiochemical urine analyses shortly after the accident revealed measurable amounts of radionuclides. particularly isotopes of strontium,