MEDICAL SURVEY OF RONGELAP PEOPLE FIVE AND SIX YEARS AFTER EXPOSURE TO FALLOUT (WITH AN ADDENDUM ON VEGETATION)
Annual medical surveys of the people of Rongelap Island were carried out in March 1959 and March 1960, 5 and 6 years after their accidental exposure to fall-out. During the 1959 survey 76 exposed adults (and their children) and 166 unexposed persons, who served as a comparison population, were examined. In addition, groups of children at nearby atolls were examined as controls for the growth and development studies on the exposed Rongelap children. In 1960 only the exposed people were examined. As a result of their exposure in 1954, many of the Rongelap people experienced early symptoms related to the gastrointestinal tract and skink. Later they developed a significant depression of their peripheral blood elements commensurate with the 175 and 69 r calculated dose of gamma radiation. Beta burns of the skin and spotty epilation also were found. Radiochemical analysis of urine samples showed that they had acquired a low-level body bunden of radionuclides. Certain othsr findings possibly related to radiation exposure included loss of weight in adults and a slight lag in growth and development of the children. No deaths occurred that could be related to their radiation exposure, and no specific therapy was given. The 5- and 6-year postexposure surveys were aimed primarily at evaluating the general medical status of the people in relation to that of the unexposed comparison population. Resuits are summanized from surveys on mortality rats; birth rate; physical examinations; growth and development studies; cardiovascular, ophthalmological, deatail, and hematological surveys; measurements of the various parameters usually associated with aging; and possible genetic effects. Body burdens of gamma -emitting fission products, such as Cs/sup 137/ and Zn/sup 65/, we re measured in a whole-body counter and checked by radiochemical analysis of urine specimens. Body bundens of Sr/sup 90/ were estimated from urinary excretion as determined by radiochemical analyses. This study of the internal contamination of the Marshallese provided information on the movement of Cs/sup 137/, Zn/sup 65/ , and Sr/sup 90/ from the environme nt to man, on the rate of equilibration of these isotopes with the environment, and on the discrimination factors between food and man. Data are included on changes in the vegetuticn of Rongelap Atoll which may be due to radioactive fallout. Tabulated data are appended. 57 references. (C.H.)
- Research Organization:
- Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, N.Y.
- NSA Number:
- NSA-15-012713
- OSTI ID:
- 4063045
- Report Number(s):
- BNL-609
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BLOOD
BLOOD VESSELS
CESIUM 137
CONTAMINATION
ENVIRONMENT
EYES
FALLOUT
FISSION PRODUCTS
FOOD
GAMMA RADIATION
GAMMA SOURCES
GENETICS
HEART
INTESTINE
LIFETIME
MAN
MEDICINE
PLANTS
POPULATIONS
QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS
RADIATION DETECTORS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION INJURIES
RADIOISOTOPES
SKIN
STOMACH
STRONTIUM 90
THERAPY
URINE
ZINC 65