UNITED STATES
“ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION
WASHINGTON. D.C.
20545
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Chairman Seaborg
Commissioner
Commissioner
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Commissioner
Commissioner
Ramey
Johnson
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Costagliola
Thompson
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[3 Ld
Le
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oimugfGeneral Manager
CURRENT MEDICAL STATUS OF MARSHALLESE
Dr. Robert Conard of the Medical Department of Brookhaven National
Laboratory, on returning from his annual medical examination of the
Marshallese exposed to fallout following the March 1, 1954, test at
Bikini, has reported the data summarized in the enclosed table,
Retrospective estimates of the internal dose to the thyroids from
absorbed radioiodines add 600 to 1400 rems to the 175 rad external
dose,
Analogous internal doses for the fourteen Marshallese (six
children and eight adults) who happened to be on nearby Ailinginae
Atoll at the time of fallout are not available,
Dysfunction of the thyroid gland continues to appear in these people
at rates far greater than would appear by chance.
Dr. Conard will
provide continued medical surveillance of the Marshallese with the
concurrence of the newly appointed High Commissioner, the Honorable
Edward E, Johnston, and the assistance of the staff of the Trust
Territory and Brookhaven National Laboratory.
As indicated in the enclosed table, it is planned that three children
and one adult (plus an interpreter) will go to Brookhaven for evaluation and possible surgery, probably in August.
A public announcement
concerning the status of the Marshallese may be prepared by Brookhaven
at that time,
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~~. John R, Totter, Director
Division of Biology and Medicine
Enclosure:
Data on Medical Survey
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