MEDICAL STATUS OF MARSHALL ISLANDERS IN 1959, FIVE YEARS AFTER EXPOSURE TO FALLOUT RADIATION
A medical survey of the Marshallese people in March 1959, five years after exposure to fallout radiation, showed that the people had recovered from the acute effects of their radiation exposure and appeared to be generally in good health. No illnesses or diseases were found that could be directly associated with acute radiation effects. One case of cancer and three deaths had occurred, but with no direct relation to radiation effects. Fertility did not appear to be affected. The incidence of miscarriages and stillbirths appeared to be somewhat higher than in the unexposed Marshallese, but a deficiency of vital statistics precluded definite conclusions as to whether or not this is a radiation effect. Suggestive evidence of slight lag in growth and development of exposed children noted previously was re-evaluated on the basis of better age data obtained during the latest survey. Blood platelet levels were within the normal range but somewhat below that for the unexposed population. Only 11 cases showed residual changes in the skin from beta burns. None ~howed any evidence of cancerous change. Possible late effects of radiation such as shortening of life span, premature aging, increased incidence of leukemia and malignancies, increased incidence of degenerative diseases, opacities of the lens of the eyes, and genetic changes were not detected. The original body burdens of internally absorbed fission products appeared to be too low to have produced any acute or long-term effects. The return of the people to the slightly contaminated island of Rongelap resulted in some increase in body burdens of Cs/sup 137/, Zn/sup 65/, and Sr/sup 90/. However, the levels were far below the accepted maximum permissible limits, and it is not believed any detrimental effects will result. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, N.Y.
- NSA Number:
- NSA-14-025340
- OSTI ID:
- 4142890
- Journal Information:
- Nuclear-Med., Vol. Vol: 1; Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-60
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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