09-21-1994 12:19
&16§27995311
BNL-MED, DEPT.
P.ate
-1&
resoved surgically from some of the burned areas for microscopic study.
of skin demonstrate the typical findings of radiation injury.
Seme of
These pieces
the ekin burns
became infected particularly those on the feet ami were treated locally by cleansing
and applications of antibiotic ointments.
The skin burns healed in mbst cases with
return of normal color and texture of the skin and in some casea scarp
with depigmented areas.
aged man,
The worst burn occurred on the back of the
It produced a permanent scar with absence of pigment ami
vessels and a slight horny growth of the
were left
eer of a middle
@bnormal blood
overlying skin hes developdd.
The skin
has been corefully observed at 6 months, 12 months, 2 years and 3 yegre after ex
posure and there is no evidence at the present time of any breakdownJin the early
burns of the skin,
There is no evidence of the development of cancer
In some the depigmented scare are still evident.
at this time.
The individuale have been seen on
two occasions by a plastic surgeon, Dr. Bradford Cannon of the
Medical School
who feels that no plastic repair 4s necessary and that the prognosig
in general is
good.
FACTCRS INPLUMZICING SEVERITY OF TUR LESIONS
Certain lessons were learned fron the Marshallese experience.
Burns were caused by direct contact of the radioactive matorim=
with the skin.
Tha perspiration as common in the tropics, the delay in decontamindtion ani the
difficulties in decontamination certainly favored thecevelopment of the skin burns.
Those individuals who remained indoors or under trees during the rgllout developed
less severe skin burns.
The children who went wading in the ocean{developed fewer
lesions of the feet and most of the Americans who vere more aware
of the fallout, took shelter in aluminum buildings and bathed and
Consequently they developed only very mild beta burns.
Iastly a
Pf the dangers
[changed clothes,
qingle layer of
cotton material offered almost complete protection as was demonstyated by the fact
that skin burns developed almost entirely on the exposed parts of[the body.
The pro-
gnosis of beta skin burns and radiation burna of the skin is excellently described