a
13.
q.
What were the circunstances surreunding radiation exposure ef theses
people?
On March 1, 2954, a theruwonuclear weapon of about 15 megstons total
yield wae detonated on a coral surface at Bikini Atoll in the Marshall
Islands.
Because of an unexpected shift in wind direction, the fallout
pattern differed slightly from the one predicted.
As @ result, radio-
active particles fell on Rongelap Atoll about 100 miles east of Bikini.
As soon ee it was learned what had happened, the Rongelep population
was evacuated to Kwajalein, $00 miles away.
A neval medical tean flew
to Kuajalein from Washingten to exenine and care for thes,
14.
q. What was the estimated whole body dose received?
The average whole body dose was approximately 175 roentgens.
Q.
What wedicel assistance has AEC given?
A.
Since the time of the incident the 0.8. Atemic Energy Counission and
the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands have sponsored ansual
medical surveys of the exposed people and have collaborated in seeing
thet their medical needs have been met.
i6.
BEST COPY AVAILABLE
Who runs these surveys?
The surveys are headed by Dr. Robert A. Conard of the Medical Research
Center st AEC’s Brookhaven Kationasl Laboratory.
17.
CHIVES
What was the thyroid dose received by the exposed adults? DOE AR
The dose to the thyroid glands of the edults from the radioiodines
absorbed was estimated to be about 150 to 160 ren.
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