12
" scores into 5-year age groups was done to reduce
possible errors due to the uncertainty of the exact
age of someindividuals.
DENTAL SURVEY
Dental examinations were carried out on most
of the people on the island, particularly those requiring dental attention.
LABORATORY PROCEDURES
Hematological Examinations
Complete routine blood counts were carried out
with repeat counts on any persons showing abnor-
malities. White blood counts and red blood counts
were obtained with the electronic Coulter, which
again proved to be a very sdtisfactory instrument
for examinationsof this type in the field. Differential counts were performed in the usual manner
after staining with Wright’s fluid. Platelet counts
were done by phase microscopy. Hemoglobin was
determined bythe cyan-hemoglobin technique
with the Lumitron colorimeter, but only 49 deter-
minations were possible because of breakdown of
the Lumitron. Hematocrits were obtained bythe
. microhematocrit method. Reticulocyte counts
were carried out in 16 people who had low hemoglobin values. Serum proteins were determined
with the Hitachi refractometer. Blood and serum
samples for certain studies to be described below
were collected and kept underrefrigeration and
finally shipped back for study.
Urine Analysis
Routine urine analyses were done on almostall
people receivingphysical examinations. These included determinations of protein and hyperglucosuria by reagent paperstrips. *
_ Serum Examinations for Calcium,
Phosphorus, and Protein Bound lodine
These studies were carried out in six of the chil-
dren in the exposed group of the growth and developmentstudy. **
*Combistix, Ames Company, Inc., Elkhart, Indiana.
**We are grateful to Drs. D.D. Van Slyke and L.V. Hankes of
this Laboratory for carrying out these determinations.
Serum lron
Serum iron determinations were performed in
the 16 people who were found to have an anemic
tendency to see whetherdeficiency ofthis element
might be responsible. *
Serum Gamma Globulin Studies
In previous surveys extensive studies have been
made oncertain genetically inherited characteristics such as blood groupings, haptoglobin and
transferrin, hemoglobin types, glucose-6-phosphate
dehydrogenaseactivity of red cells, B-amino-isobutyric acid excretion, etc. One type of gamma
globulin had not been previously studied in the
Rongelap people, and 149 sera were collected during this survey for determination of the Gm type
of gammaglobulin. The determinations werecarried out by Dr. A.G. Steinberg of Western Reserve
University and his collaborators and reported
along with the same observations on other populations;* the methods used werealso reported.
Radionuclide Body Burden Evaluation
The methods used in the radionuclide bod:
burden evaluation are described later in a separat
section.
Results and Discussion
The census of Rongelap people in March 196
was 334, of which 81 were in the exposed gro:
(including 4 children exposed im utero at the time
the accident); 33 were children of exposed paren
and 220 were unexposed people; Table 1 sho
their location. In Table 2 the population is brok
downaccording to percent distribution in varic
age groups and compared with that of the Mz
shall Islands as a whole for 1948-1950 and oftl
United States for 1960. The table also showstl
median age. The lower median age of the Ma
shallese would tend to support the impression th
their life span is shorter than that of peoplein tl
continental United States, but there has been
“population explosion” in those islands whi
might accountfor this discrepancy.
“Weare grateful to Mrs. Ruth Saart of South Nassau Cc
munities Hospital, Rockville Centre, L.1., N.Y., for carrying
the serum iron determinations.