Of feterest ancug the twelfth annual medical survey ebservations we the ebsance of thyroid abnormalities fin the 40 Utirik children exeuined who were of the same ages as the high-incidence group ef exposed children en Rongelap. The Utirik chiléren had received considerably less radiation exposure, BACKGROUND Following the detonstion of e thermonuclear device on March 1, 1954, during atmospheric teste in the Pacific Proving Grounda, an unpredicted ahift in winds caused deposition ef significant amounts of fallout en four inhabited atolls east of Bikini. ead Utirik Atolls. These were Rongelap, Ailinginse, Rongerik Rongelap received the largest radiation exposure. Kighty-two people of Kongelap Atoll were accidentally exposed te Fallout radiation where the average whole body exposure was appreximately 175 roentgens. Additional amounts of radiation resulted from ebsorption ef radiofodine in the thyroid glands. Since that time the U.8. Atomic Energy Comission and the Trust Territory ef the Pacific Islands heave sponsored annual medical surveys of the exposed people. The surveys ere carried eut by « Brookheven National Laboratory team, headed by Pr. Robert A. Conerd from the Leboratory’s Medical Research Center. BEST COPY AVAILABLE Yomediately after the 1954 exposure the people were evacuated to Kwajalein & Ry Atoll for treatment and were subsequently on Majuro Atoll entil 1957 when they = were raturned to Rongelep. States provided them with a new village and other fecilities and services to assist their re-establisheent. about 228 persons. Z On their return to their home atoli the United The current population of Rongelap is oF 9 Last year Congress appropriated $950,000 as “compassionate relief" payment to the exposed population. a _ 2%,