Medical Findings in Marshallese People
Te
ExposeJ to Fallout Rad:ation
Results Fron a Ten-Year Study
BEST COPY AVAILABLE
Robert A. Conard, AID, and A robati Hichking
(The thyroid dose received was estimated at about 1,000
rads, largely from radioiodines absorbed.) No thyroid
nodules were detected in 75 unexposed children. Other
possible residual radiation efiects noted in the &6 exposed Roncelapese were as follows: slight retardation of
statural growth and bone maturation in boys exposed at —
less than 5 years of age; greater incidence of miscit-
riggs in exposed women during the first four years; in-
complet. recovery of some of the peripheral blood elements; ard increased nevus-like lesiuis in areas of previ-
ous bela radiation burns of the skin. General health and
moriality has been about the same as in the comparison
populutisn. No definite radiation cfects on birth rate,
aging, leukemia, malignancy, or genotype have been noted.
en years have passed since the people of the
Marshali islands were accidentally exposed to
fallout radiation’; complete reports have been pubhshed covering findings of the annual medics!
surveys.” ‘The accident occurred March 1, 1954,
following th: detonation of a hicsh-vield nuclear device during experiments at Bikini in the Pacific
proving grounds, when an unpredicted shift in
winds caused deposition of significant amounts of
fallout on four inhabited atolls to the east. The
Table shows the groups of people involved, the
number in each group, and the extent of the fallout
and exposure.
The present report summarizes the medical
findines over a ten-year period of the 82 people
of Hongelap Island who were exposed. Theinitial
Summary of Fallout Effects
Group*
Rongelap
Ailingnae
Rongerik
;
Utirik
Composition
64 Marshallese
Fallout
Observed
Heavy
(snow-like)
18 Marshaliese Moderate
a
(mist-ike)
28 Americans
Moderate
(mist-like}
157 Marshailese None
rte
e
Estimated
Gamma
Dose
(Rads)
175
Extent of
Skin Lesions
Extensive
69
Less extensive
78
Slight
14
No skin Jesions
or epilation
ow? exposed were 23 Japanese fishermen who received a sublethal
Se.
From the Medical “Research Center, Hrookhaven National
Laboratory, Upton, NY (Dr. Conard), and the Department of
Medical Services, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Saipan,
Reprint requests to Hrookhaven Nations! Laboratory, Upton.
NY 11973 (Dr. Conard).
JAMA, May 10, 1965 ® Vol 192, No 6
up examinations. A group of relatives, away from
the island at the time of the accident, returned
with the exposed group to their home island aud
have served as a comparison population.
Injidal Findings
During the first 24 to 48 hours about two thirds
of the Roeneelap people experienced anorexia and
nausea, a f-w vomited and kid diarrhea, and many
complained of irritation of the skin and eyes.
These symptom: however, subsided within a few
days.
Depression of lymphocytes and neutronhils to
about half and the pl.ciclets to about one third the
levels of the unexposcu population occurred during
the first six weeks following exposure, followed
by gradual but incomplete recovery. The Gepres-
sion of bload elements was insufficicnt to result
in infections or bleeding, and the rad™:{ion dose
that they had sustained fortunately pr..cd to be
sublethal, No specific therapy was nec: ry. A
slight loss in weight was noted in more then half
of the people during the first six weeks, but the
possible effecis of change of environment could
not be ruled out.
Beta radiation burns of the skin andepilation of
the scalp were widespread, particularly in the
more heavily exposed group. Most of the lesions
were superficial but some showed deeper ulceration. Most of them healed within a few wecks
with only shght residual changes and regrowth of
hair was complete by six months.
T
:
Mariana Islands (Mr, Hiching),
findings are only briefly reviewed, greater emphasis
being placed on the findings of more recent follow-
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1, Cumulative percent distribution curves of neulrophils, lymphocytes, and platelets.
113
Toe EES
Renign thyroid nodufes were removed from three teen-
age Rongelap girls ten years after exposure from fallout.