These levels represent about @” over the 1958 levels. durden ofthe exposed group heir initial exposure,since at difference between the levels hexposed populations living The body burdens are of terms of radiation hazard. STUDIES tnhernted charactertstics. Blood ' Marshallese showed a relaquency, a high N genefre-igh R‘ gene frequency, and ;and Diego factors.'" These fom those of Polynesians and ith Southeast Asians and in studies showed the fre- to be higher than in Eurofar tested and consistent ~ near the equator. The dis- in types showed the popula- omogencous. Transjerrins in C, the common European w acid urinary levels showed ‘the highest excreters ofthis \ thus far reported. Levels in re about the same as in the no correlation was found ! of radionuclides: this indiabis no correlation with ra‘globin types were considered AL). Sticking tests showed no nv of the people. Clucose-6- af the red cells appeared to irshallese. Studies of Gm “Marshallese to have 100% “Y) Gm. There was a mm and a high irequency siderable caution must be tthe results of these studies 4 characteristics because of :mples tested. The data do + homogeneity of the pop- ship with people of South- iso may be useful as a base anges appear in later ge n- 2d to radiation exposure. ‘ratory studies included the levels were generally on the : electrophoretic patterns showed the increase in proteins was largely due to an increase in the gammaglobulin fraction. The reason for this is not apparent. Numerous chronic infections may be an explanation. Sodium feveis in the urine and food indicated about the same consumption of NaClas in Amert- immunoeilectrophoretic analysis showed neither a paraproteinemia nor a typical picture of antibodydeficiency-syndrome,but a high frequency ofincreases of some of the immunogiobulins was noted. Blood volume studies with Cr’'-labeled sodium chromate showeda significant reduction in red sion in the Marshallese might be related to the fact that the former native diet was probably lowerin salt content than the present, more westernized diet. It will be interesting to see whether the incidence of hypertension wil] later increase. Marshallese. cans. The generally lower incidence of hyperten- Serum cholesteral levels (1957, 1959} were some- what lowerin the exposed population thanin the comparison or Utirik populations, but were in the low normal range. No abnormally low readings were noted. Serum creatiame levels (1957) were in the normal range with no abnormal levels noved. Serum vitamin B,. concentrations (1958, 1959) were generally significantly higher than American levels. The possibility of contamination of the sam- ples with bacteria producing vitamin B,. must be considered, since mycloproliferative and liver discases were not seen. Serum protein bound todine levels (1957, 1959, 1962) were generally slightly elevated. Evidence for thy- cell mass and/or plasma volume in 15 of 23 DIFFICULTIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE EXAMINATIONS As mentioned in previous reports, several diffi- culties were associated with carrying out the examinations as well as interpreting the findings. 1. The language barrier made examinations difficult, since very little English is spoken by the Marshallese. However, there were sufficient Engtish-speaking Marshallese to assist the medical team in most instances. 2. The lack of vital statistics or demographic data on the Marshallese imposed a serious difficulty in interpretation and evaluation of the medical data. Records of births, deaths, etc., have been made by the health aides or magistrates of the vil- lages and supposedly forwarded to the district ad- ministrator; however, such records have been in- roid dysfunction was not apparentin the people. Glucosurta and elevated blood sugar were found in 8 people (1 exposed and 7 unexposed). An increased incidence of diabetes is prevalent in the Mar- complete or lost in most instances, and vital statis- 75% of the people to be infected with vartous types.'' For the three major pathogens found, the culties in interpreting some of the studies to be shallese people. A survey for intestinal parasites (1958) showed tics are therefore inadequate. Trust Territory officials are now attempting to assemble such data. 3. There is uncertainty on the part of some of the Marshallese as to their exact ages, particularly among the older group. This imposes certain diffi- outlined. over-all infection rates were, for Entamoeba histo- fytica, 18.2%; for hookworm, 5.5%; and for Trichur inichtura, 34.3% Evsnophtlia >3% has consistently been noted COMPARISON POPULATIONS Duringthefirst 2 years, two separate groups of in about half the people. The fact that half the cases with eosinophilia showed no helminthic infections at all suggests that otter factors besides Marshallese people were used for comparison, each of comparabie size to the exposed Rongelap sinophilia may be related to chrunic fungus and other infections, particularly of the skin. Complement fixation studtes for paraiafluenza 1, 2, and 3, respiratory syncitial, psittacosis, and Q fever showed antibodies to all groups of viruses except that for Asian influenza, which probably had not vet seriously involved the peer'e of the Marshall Islands. The antibody titers appeared to be attrition rate over the 2 vears, which made it unsatisfactory At the time of the 3-year survey, it was found that during the preceding 12 months parasitic infections must be responsible. The co- somewhat lower in the exposed people. Table 9 group and matched for age and sex. However, this population was found to be unstable, with a large the Rongelap population at Majuro Atoll had doubled because of the influx of relatives who had come back from other isiands to live with them. These people had been away from Rongelap Atoll at the ume of the accidental exposure. This group matched reasonably well for age and sex and was Table 10 Cunk Pediaunc Population