13.
Q.
What were the circumstances surrounding radiation exposure of these
people?
A.
On March 1, 1954, a thermonuclear weapon of about 15 megatons total
yield was detonated on a coral surface at Bikin{ Atoll in the Marshall
Islands.
Because of an unexpected shift in wind direction, the fallout
pattern differed slightly from the one predicted.
active particles
fell on Rongelep Atoll] about
As a result, radio-
100 miles east of Bikini.
As soon as it was learned what had happened, the Rongelap population
was evacuated to Kwajalein, 300 miles away,
A naval medical team flew
to Kwajalein from Washington to examine and care forthem,
14.
15.
Q.
What was the estimated whole body dose received?
A.
The average whole body dese was approximately 175 roentgens.
Q.
What medical assistance has AEC given?
A.
Siace the time of the incident the U.S, Atomic Energy Commission and
the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands have sponsored annual
medical surveys of the exposed pcople and have collaborated in seeing
that their medical needs have been met.
16.
Q.
Who runs these surveys?
A.
The surveys are headed by Dr. Robert A, Conard of the Medical Research
Center at 45C's Brookhaven National Liboratory.
17.
Q.
What was the thyroid dose received by the exposed adults?
A.
The dose to the thyroid glands of the adults frem the radioiodines
arorbed was estimated to be cbout 150 to 160 rem,
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at Teovgy
10
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