A027 04 June 1, 1959 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY MEDICAL STATUS OF RONGELAP PEOPLE FIVE YEARS AFTER EXPOSURE TO FALLOUT RADIATION by Robert A. Conard, M.D. In March 1959 the regular annual medical survey was carried out on the Rongelap people who had received the heaviest exposure to radioactive fallout five years previously in the accident which occurred following the experimental detonation of a nuclear weapon. The examinations were conducted on Rongelap Island to which the people had returned in July 1957. On their return, they were ac- companied by an equally large group of umexposed relatives. This latter group has served as a comparison population for the medical studies. The Navy kindly furnished an LST for the survey. These annual surveys are carried out under the direction of Brookhaven National Laboratory and sponsored by the Atomic Energy Com- mission with the support of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the Department of Defense, and other governmental agencies. A team of 20 physicians, scientists, and technicians, specialists in the field of radiation medicine, carried out the survey on Rongelap Island. On arrival of the team at Rongelap there was some question in the minds of some of the people as to the necessity of having fur- ther examinations. Objections to the examinations were mainly directed toward their dislike of the blood sampling. It was also evident that the need for the examinations created some concern in the minds of the people about their health status. Some also were concerned about the radiological safety of their food and water for consumption. The people were reassured that their health was generally good and their food and water safe for consumption, and the importance of continued examinations and treatment in order to help insure their continued good health wes stressed. These explanations appeared to alleviate their fears and the people cooperated extremely well with the medical team in carrying out the examinations. REPOSITORY oF - fo COLLECTION MARKEY 1004183 poxWe SS ON le rover ACC INEAT Files File 1