[EPOSITORY ~ COLLECTION 30% No. poé PASE ~ v f t x a," Ble 4 g “EROR = ge ye AD1996 mED, DR. COMAAD T rhe fof LG 2D— “OLDER ——— BROOKHAVEN NATIONAL LABORATORY ASSOCIATED UNIVERSITIES, INC. UPTON, LLL. N.Y. 11973 REFER: TEL. AREA CODE 516 YAPHANK 4-6262 MEDICAL DEPARTMENT August 26, 1969 The Honorable Edward E. Johnston High Commissioner Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands Saipan, Mariana Islands 96950 Dear Mr. Johnson: I would like to let you know that four Rongelap and one Utirik patient with thyroid abnormalities, accompanied by Dr. Ezra Riklon just arrived at Brookhaven National Laboratory for extensive examinations and evaluation for possible surgery. Since you may not be acquainted yet with the special medical examinations of the Rongelap people I thought I would outline briefly the nature of these surveys. As you know the Marshallese people of Rongelap and Utirik islands were accidentally exposed to significant amounts of radioactive fallout in 1954. In view of the special radiological aspects of the exposure the Atomic Energy Commission was given the responsibility for these special examinations. Because of my training in human radiation effects I was requested by the AEC to conduct annual medical examinations of these people and have been doing so for the past 15 years. These surveys have been carried out jointly by medical specialists from the United States and Trust Territory medical personnel. This unfortunate accident resulted in serious effects in the exposed people such as acute depression of their blood cells, skin burns and loss of hair. Fortunately no deaths occurred from the exposure and these early effects were largely recovered from by the end of the first year. However, some rather serious late effects developed. In the past five years thyroid abnormalities have occurred in 17 of 19 children exposed at less than 10 years of age and also in 4 adults. Fifteen of these people have had surgery of the thyroid gland. Only one case proved to be malignant. These cases are in addition to the 5 patients who have just arrived, referred to above. Another serious effect has been slight retardation of growth and development in some of the children as a result of the thyroid injuries. I am happy to report, however that there has been a substantial improvement in growth and development in these children due to the special thyroid medication we have been giving all of the exposed people. We hope to prevent the development of further cancer. Our knowledge of late effects of radiation in human beings is very limited. Therefore continued examinations of these people io WY? 504.3298 | va teas