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Naga sak i Shinihun 706136 Bikini Survivors Suffering Bone Marrow Impairment Gensuikin Kyushu Bloc Council Obtains Medical Charts The Gensuikin Kyushu Bloc Council (affiliated with Socialist Party an3 Sohyo, business manager: Kazuyoshi Yamakawa) obtained AEC's medical charts for 66 persons exposed tothe H-bonth test conducted by the United States at the Bikini Atoll on 1 March 1954. On the basis of the medical charts, two exposed Micronesian youths were invited to Japan on 14 May this year. Recently the results of analysis of the medical charts have been compiled. The medical charts are for the residents of Rongelap Island and another island exposed tothe H-bomb atthe most proximal distance. These charts record the aftereffects and course of treatment during the 19 years from the time of exposure t o 1973. Medical scientists who have analyzed the medical charts point out, "Bone marrow impairment has appeared and some effect might appear inthe blood hereafter. There were 10 cases of thyroid disorder including 3 cases of thyroid The 66 subjects consist of 50 residents of Ronqelap Island (exposed to175rad),12residents of Ailinginae (phonetic) Island (69 rad) and 4 in-utero exposed. Except for the in-utero exposed, the subjects were exposed to fallout immediately after the experiment and showed such symptoms as e pila tion, nausea, and radiation burns quite similar to those of the survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Parti cula rly among the residents of Rongelap Island,all subjects of age 2 1 . t o 30 showed remarkable decrease of blood count. Subsequently, spontaneous abortion and impairment of vision have ocdurred among them. Moreover, the medical charts of 20 who have died indicate that five of them died of leukemia o r cancer of the genital organ. Those concerned of the Red Cross Nagasaki A-bomb Hospital and the Atomic Disease Institute, Nagasaki University School of Pledicine who engaged in the analysis are afraid the risk of such disorders would continue However, no specialist is stationed on full-time basis near the Bikini Atoll and American doctors of AEC examine the survivors only twice a year. Thus, there is being provided no full - scale medical
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Under the circumstances the Kyushu Bloc Council on 14 May this year invited to Japan Mr. Norio Kebenli (33) and Mr. Elio Boas (27) of Rongelap Island as the first group from anon9 the 66 subjects of the medical charts. They received medical treatment admitted tothe Red Cross Nagasaki A-bomb Hospital. Statement by Dr. Takaaki Shikaya, Chief of Clinical Laboratory, Red Cross A-bomb Hospital: The analysis of medical charts was almost complete atthe end of July this year. Some cases showed bone marrow disorder 18 years after exposure, differing greatly from onset 4-5 years later i n case of Nagasaki. I n any case, when the bone marrow is impaired there is a great risk of hematopoietic disturbance appearing and careful sur veil - lance seems t o be indicated. However, these medical charts have been reported i n Chapter 1 2 of "Atomic Medicine" published inthe United States in 1963, and the results of analysis are nothing new t o medical