bd
4, The Rongelapese have received complete medical
investigations at six months, one year, and two year postdetonation, by a team headed by Dr. Robert Conard of
Broo'haven National Laboratory, as well as several routine
examinations.
DISCUSSION
5. Status of Rongelapese Health.
Pertinent to any
discussion of the return of the Rongelapese to their home
island is the body insult suffered from the fallout on March 1,
1954.
One group of 64 people received about 175 roentgens
whole body gamma radiation, and a second group of 18 received
about 69 roentgens.
The most highly exposed group might have
received an additional 100 - 150 reps to the thyroid from
internally deposited isotopes of fodine.
The deposition of
bone seeking isotopes was very small and at two years the body
purden of strontium-90, as estimated by urinalysis, was little
greater than for controls in the United States.
Of the 82
individuels exposed, 45 experienced superficial skin lesions
and 13 deep lesions while 35 showed some degree of loss of hair.
6. The present condition of the Rongelap people is best
described by the results of the two year medical examination: *
"The medical survey of the Rongelap people two years
after exposure to fallout radiation shows that the
people appear to have been in generally good state of
health and nutrition and are making satisfactory
recovery from their radiation exposure.
Serious
illmess has occurred in two individuals but neither
these illnesses nor clinical findings in other
individuals can be attributed to radiation effects.
One death in May 1956, that of a 46-year-old Rongelap
man, was due to hypertensive heart disease. Previous _
examinations had shown that the disease was undoubtedly
present at the time of exposure to fallout radiation.
of
c
En
"There 18 evidence of continued improvement of Department* otti
hemopoiesis.
The mean lymphocyte count is slightly HSCHIVES
increased over the one-year levels, but is still
AR
*Medical Survey of Marshallese Two Years iftcr "xposure to
Fallout Radiation.
Conard. R.i. et al, Brookhaven National
Laboratory, March, 1956.
-5-
CSS
Appendix "A"