Tabie | Summary of Marshallese Populauons Examined Since 1954 Group No. in group Serves Compassion PoruLanons 1954 April Mayuro 115 (adults and children) 700-817 1947 Rongelap 100 “ 301 ~-900 1958 Rongelap 170 “ 1964 Roneelap ” 170 (age >10 only) 901-970 801-1058 Utirik (141) 67 (includes 3 m uéere: annual exams) 19 (includes | at eérre: annual exams) 28 (examined 1954 anly} 157 (examined every 3 to 4 years) 1-86 1-86 1-428 2101-2257 Unexeosen CuiLoesn (<< 10 years as oF 1964) Rongelap & Aiingnae Roneciap Curik as in the previous surveys, a visit was made to Kwajalein and Majuro Atolls for examination of a number of Rongelap people, now residing at these atolls, and also groups of children who represent part of the control group used for the growth and 45 (expused parent) 75 (unexposed parents) 20 texposed parens) 87-136 801-1058 2238-2278 During the first 24 to 48 hr after exposure, about + of the Rongelap people experienced anorexia and nausea. A few vomited and had diarrhea.In appendix 10 the individual histories of nausea and vomiting are tabulated. Many aiso expen- development studies of the exposed children. enced itching and burning of the skin, and a few been examined since 1954. The accumulation of data from these survevsis becoming increasingly voluminous. Since condiuions have not been favorable for performance of extensive statistical analyses or use of electronic computing procedures to store and manipulate the data, the annual survey reports published by this eves. Following this, the peopie remained asymptomauc until about 2 weeks after the accident, report, therefore, includes a considerable amount of raw data. much of it in appendices. so that addition to the whole-bodydose of radiation and the beta irradiation of the skin, radiochemical anAlvses ot the urine showed that measurable amounts of rachoactive material had also been absorbed internally. The effects of the radiation can best be summarized under three headings accord- Table | lists the various populations that have Laboratory are madr as complete as possible. This others may have an opportunity to make further calcutations if desired. Summary of Past Findings Reports have been published on the findings of surveys made at the following times after exposure: initial examination, 6 months, i vear,: 2 vears,' J vears, + vears.” 5 and 6 vears. 7 vears” and 8 vears.” The following is a brief summaryof the findings previously reported. the high and low expos logical records of blood Exposep PortuLaTrwons Rongelap (175 r} Ailingnae (70 r) American senicemen levels of lewkocytes and pi. blood. This was most m Rongelap who had rece marked in the other gro sure. The hemopoietic proportional to the d Even in the 157 Utirik an estimated 14 rads,it slight platelet depression The smaller group on showed peripheral blood complained of lachryvmation and burning of the when cutaneous lesions and toss of hair developed, due largely to beta irradiation of the skin. It was apparent when the people were first examined. a few davs after exposure, that the lymphocvtes were considerabiy depressed and that significant doses of radiation had probably been received. In ing to the mode of exposure’ penetrating irradiauon, skin irradiation, and internal! irradiation. PENETRATING RADIATION Oneofthe earliest Andings indicative of signifi- cant exposure in these peaple was lowering of and Ailingnae groups are 27, and $2 and in Appe Utirik group in Appendi Lymphopena of about parison Marshallese the Rongelap people we: armval at Kwajalein 3 children <5 vears of age to 25% of the levels iv t but showed a slight n weeks. The depressed | only slight increase not lowing year, mean coun of the companson popu remained slightly below. Neutrophil levels fluct the first month; possibl prevalence of beta bur period. Neutrophil depresl 3 and 6 weeks post exposq about half that of the com the adults and slightly los vears of age. This degree of cient to result in anv apps processes, and indeed it philic leukocy toms was po casual infections at this tur covered more rapidly thas reached rcar control lev: quent annual survevs haw does not appear to be co. vounger and older age en Plateiet counts showed le blood counts and fairiv ¢ creasing depression, react that of the comparison week. A spurt of recover parson levels occurred ¢