PRIVACY ACT MATERIAL REMOVED
Some of the cliects of radiation may not have been
induced in the Rongelapese until years after they returned
Jane, according to some Japanese radrauion experts, In
1987, when the ALC moved then back. Rongelap. still
retained high background levels of radioactivity, and the
AEC, which usually plays down radiation dangers, reported that “there was obviously a certain, degree of
uncertainty” about the safety of food grown on the island.
Only last October did the AEC announce that coconut
crabs, a delicacy in the Marshalls, could be caten; even
now they are not safe for regular consumption. The fallout from Bravo killed many chickens and pigs on the
istind and vegetation still shows signs of radiation-induced
950,000 in 1962. The Marshallese are now demanding
additional compensation for severe aftercffects now being
felt for the first time. Phe worst of these—leukemia,
thyraid caneer and cataracts---may sull appear in) any
numbers, Who dicd in a U.S. hospital, is
the first victim to be found with leukemia,
Almost every child (89.5 per cent) who was con-
taminated in 195-4 has had thyroid abnormalities of some
sort. Many of them have been sent to U.S. hospitals for
surgery. The first case of thyroid tumor was not detected
until 1964; since then there have been more than twenty
additional cases, including two new cases of thyroid
tumors found this year. Three of the tumors have been
cancerous. Almost all children have at least slight growth
mutations, After the return home, levels of radiation in
mndividuals’ bodies increased drastically, and even those
retardation and there are some cases ot severe stunting.
Qne l2-year-olG child, for example, was the size of a
S-year-old before reeciving hormone treatment.
who had not been on the island in 1954 were soon
shawing much higher radiation counts than other Mar-
sballese, despite the facet that alinost all Marshallese had
The number of stillbirths in the years after the bomb
was about double that for the rest of the Marshalls.
ishitvely high radiation counts as a result of widespread
Hilout from the tests, Strontium: YO levels went up six
ames, Cesium 137 levels went up sixty umes. Even previously uncontiminated people had strontium 90 and cesium
137 Jevels ten times higher than other Marshallese who
Were used as a control group. Law much strontium 90
Vhe annual death rate for the Marshalls (as of 1963)
was SY pee J,000; for Rongelap it was 13 per 1,000.
Yer the AEC has consistently refused ta accept a con-
nection between any of these deaths and the effects of
radiagion, Jt is sall too early to tell how much the bomb
has shortened the hfe span of the victims.
is Sufe is unknown, the ALC having almost doubled the
“permissible” dosanes, without explanation, when stronum 90 levels rose dramatically, almost to tne danger
AIL of the victims, even those without obvious illnesses,
are forced to take many kinds of medications and many
are abnormally susceptible to colds, flu and throat ailments. Most of them still Gre easily and almost all worry
about their health. As Atajt Balos recently told an
audience in Tokyo, “Each person who has been exposed
asks himself: “Will | be well tomorrow? Will my children
point, in the height of American, Russian and British
nuclear testing, In $963, radiation levels of the people on
Ronpelap were about 100 times that of the average
contimunated” Japanese.
“‘un-
The Japanese Government received $2 million in
summpeasiiion for the Lucky Pravon from. the United
States Government one year afier the tragedy, the bigvest part of that voi, not ta the wietims but to the
Japanese tana industry, Only ciehty-nine of the Marshalhave ever received compensation and only after they
protested ta the United Nations and threatened to take
wefaloacuoa, The United States awarded them about
TESRITORY
now live, but none of the staff is trained in radiation treat-
T
.
HALOWAY
ment. For any major problem, the victinis must travel
.
Pacific Ocean
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Christian Science Monitor
THE NATION/ February 5, 1973
-
almost 1,500 niles to Guam, or even farther to Honolulu.
Once a year a team of Atomic Energy Commission
doctors have examined them and collected data for AEC
ties. This is in contrast to Japan where victims receive
four examinations a year and. have medical treatment.
whenever necessary, The Rongelapese have never been
siven diagnoses of their ilnesses. They are merely prescribed pills which are dispensed by a local medical practtioner, or sent to the United States for surgery. In the
Hmetecn years since the disaster, only AEC doctors have
been allowed to ¢xamine and treat the vicums, although
in Pecember 1971 a team of doctors from the Japan’
Congress Avainst A- and E{-Bombs attempted to examine
them at the invitation of members of the Congress of
Micronesia. The American Government threw them out
before they could complete their work,
|
When the AEC team arrived in, March 1972, for its
annual visit, the Marshallese refused to submit to examinations unless independent docters took ‘part and unless
they were guarantecd individual diapnoses. As a result,
50143233
PRIVACY ACT MATERIAL REMOVED
167
og
U5RUST
“cay
The medical treatment the vicums have received is gross-
iy inadequate. There is no doctor on either Rongelap or
Uurik, and Micronesians are not permitted to use the
faciliues of the army hospital on Kwajalein, There is a
small hospital on Majuro, where some of the victims
Se
:
‘fs Uus an ordinary illaess, or has the ghost of the bomb
come to claim me now--even years after?”
RSShoe slg eet
|
be normal?’ And when he becomes il} he asks himself,