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Medical Department
Brookhaven National Laboratory
Upton, Long Island, New York
28 March 1956
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Dr. Charles L. Dunham, Director
Division of Biology and Medicine
Atomic Energy Commission
Washington 25, D. Cc.
Dear Dr.
Dunhan:
The medical team returned 15 March 1956 from the two-year medical
resurvey of the Rongelap people and controls. Everything went extremely
smoothly with a minimum of difficulties.
Johnston Island, however,
seems to have a magnetic effect for our group since once again we had
to spend 24 hours there due to engine trouble.
Enclosed is a preliminary report of the two-year medical resurvey
{
While we were at Majuro, a United Nations' group visited the atoll.
Great Britain, India, Belgium, Guatamala and China were represented.
They conferred with us on the status of the Marshallese. A copy of the
report which I submitted to them is enclosed.
They seemed to be
There are several specific problems and recommendations which I would
like to bring up. Most of the problems center around the return of the
Rongelap people to their home atoll.
Upon their return to Rongelap,
the people will be almost completely isolated and their only contact
with the outside world will be the visiting Trust Territory field trip
ship which will touch off there, at most, every three or four months.
This will mean that the people will have to depend almost entirely for
is training is such
(1) Establish radio communications on Rongelap.
This would
probably also require training one of the Rongelap people in the use
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that only the barest first aid care can be expected from him. Since
these people have received significant amounts of radiation, the long
term effects of which are uncertain, and in view of the unique worldwide interest in these people, disproportionate radiological importance
may be attached to any disease that may develop among them and any
suggestion of negligence in medical attention may be the cause of
great embarrassment. This problem is not easily soluble. The easiest
way out would be, in my opinion, to leave the people at Majuro.
However, since we are committed to return the people to their homes
and that is also their express wish, we must consider other measures.
The following might be considered:
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medical care on their medical aid man (
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favorably impressed with the handling of the problen.
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findings in the Rongelap people and controls.
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