some degree of residual skin changelargely in the
form of pigment aberrations with atrophy and
scarring. Numerous histopathological studies have
been made, and the changes found have been consistent with radiation damage. However, at no
time have changes been observed either grossly or
microscopically indieative of malignantor premalignant change.
Thespotty epilation on the heads was shortlived, regrowth of hair occurring about 3 months
after exposure and complete regrowth of normal
hair by 6 months post-exposure. No furtherevidence of epilation has been seen.
An interesting observation was the appearance
of a bluish-brown pigmentation of the semilunar
areas of the fingernails and toenails in about 90%
of the people beginning about 3 weeks after exposure. By 6 months, however, the pigmentation had
largely grown out with the nail and had disappeared in most cases. The cause of this phenomenon has not been explained.
Internal Irradiation
Radiocchemicai analysis of numerous urine
samples of the exposed population showed some
degree of internal absorption of radioactive mate-
tials, probably brought about largely through
eating and drinking contaminated food and water.
Calculations of the body burdensof these mate-
rials, however, showed that the concentrations
were too low to result in any serious effects, and
the levels found at 2 and 3 years post-exposure
were far below the accepted maximum permis-
sible body level. The results of numerousradiochemical examinationsof the urines over the past
+ years, and of gammaspectroscopy over the past
2 years, will be reviewed in greater detail below.
Present Survey
BACKGROUND MATERIAL
Organization
The medical team consisted of 8 physicians. 5
scientists, and 6 technicians from various labo-
ratories in the United States. A Marshallese
practitioner and 2 medical technicians from
Majuro Atoll assisted the team, as did someof the
Rongelap people (see Figure 2).
A groupofsix scientists from the University of
Washington, headed by Dr. E.E. Held, accom-
panied the team to collect soil, marine, and plant
Figure 2. Medical team personnel.