To the Chiefs and All People in Utirik Atoll

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To the Chiefs and All People in Utirik Atoll Your letter to Mr. Roger Ray, dated July 1$)76, has been received by this office. We wish to thank you for sending this letter and bringing your views to our attention. We have carefully as presented in your letter, and we appreciate your thoughtful questions. Even today, there are despite the large number many facts about of scientists that the pas<-20 er- more than 30 years. Even considered your views, the opportunity to answer radiation that are not known, have studied this subject for less was known about radia - tion in 1954 at the time of the exposure of the people on Rongelap and Utirik. Based on all available knowledge on radiation at that time, and using &he their best judgment, the American doctors de%~mi~ed estimated that the people of Utirik were exposed e~Ly to only a small amount of radiation. Hence, there was general agreement among the doctors that the Utirik people would not, in the future, show any dis-ea~eg ill effects ~hei+-expesa~~ the relatively low levels of radiation soon disappeared from Utirik, the Utirik people were returned to khi++%lan~ their island before some of the other populations. Rongelap, however, was more heavily contaminated with radioactivity so the people of this is land had to

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live elsewhere for about three years before they could return to their In reviewing the data that indicates that the Utir to considerably less radiation than the people of Rc k people were exposed Igelap, one must conclude that the dose estimates aye made at the time were essentially correctr , with the exception of the dose to the children’s thyroids which I shall address later. This conclusion is based not only on the actual dose estimates from measurements on the island. Even more important is that the Utirik people showed only very minor, if any, symptoms of early disease from exposure, indicating that the exposure must have been cons less than was seen on Ronge Lap island. the return to the island, it was decided that regu. of the exposed people of Utirik were to be done. ar med cal were conducted at regular intervals we+e-ee~dae&ci to assure that they had not been harmed. Examinations were done in 1957, 1959, 1963, 1969, 1972 and 1975. In addition to complete physi cal examinations, thyroid examinations and sick calls were held every year. visited Utirik every three months. the people who had been exposed to ~adiat.ion, the doctors selected a

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exposed and non-exposed peep Le. 3%1s - The control group consists of unexposed people from Rongelap. This group is considered quite adequate for comparison with the exposed people of both Rongelap and Utirik. The slight genetic difference between the two populations was not considered a sufficient reason to select a separate control group for Utirik. One of your questions concerned the fact that the children of the exposed islanders who were not themselves exposed have not been included in the regu Lar examination list. 3%iG-was-do~e be.ca~e Large groups of /exposed parents have been studied elsewhere. Since none of these studies it was fe t that such a study of the unexposed children on Utirik was not necessary. Of course, children are examined and treated as needed at sick calls whenever the doctors visit Utirik. As stated earlier in this letter, many facts about radiation were not known back in 1954 but the best available medical judgment was used in decisions affecting the people of Utirik. Studying the same problems now, with the time were not knowledge we have today, it appe ars that the doctors at that aware of the degree of exposure of the thyroid due to fallout. This was especially true of the children because their thyroid is much smaller. +%-It is not surprising that with the info rmation then available—

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thyroid disease was not expected in the Utirik people. Even more important is that only very recently has information become available from several sources that the thyroid gland, especially in children, is radiation effects than was anticipated in the past. Taking these factors together, we can now, many years later, explain the incidence of malignant thyroid glands in the Utirik people. 4 t this time it-is- imp~s-s-i%-le we are not able to predict whether more cases are to be expected in the exposed members of Ehi-s-the Utirik population. It is, therefore, of the greatest importance that the regu Lar medical examinations be continued in the future. By having regular medical exmainations, signs of thyroid disease can be detected early and prompt treatment will avoid unnecessary suffering on the part of the Utirik people. For these reasons, I believe it i-s of great importance leaders of the people of Utirik explain to their people the purpose and the importance of the regular medica L examinations. Conducting the medical exmainations and treating people of the islands whenever necessary has been largely in the hands of Drs. Conard, Knudsen and @uring the past year, Dr. Kotrady. On many occasions, +he-be~t expert medical advice was invited from outstanding specialists in the fie of whom participated in the actual medical exmainations. We bel

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Drs. Conard, Knudsen and ISotrady to be very capable and conscientious doctors who are deeply commited to the health and welfare of the the Congress of Micronesia, examinations. In view of the about the apparent displeasure people of Utirik. Moreover, the report by the ~ecial Committee on— Rongelap and Utirik, which was formed by was generally favorable with regard to the above, we were greatly surprised to learn on the part of the people of Utirik as expressed in your letter and more recently in the request that Dr. Knudsen leave your island. One possible explanation forthis difference in sentiment with regards to Drs. Conard understanding as to their role and reasons to come to the islands. I would like to repeat that it is my firm conviction that the principal concern of Drs. Conard and Knudsen is the we Lfare and well-being of &he4_%iz*kpe-o@e. understanding eeal+k+a++ly may result because of the difference <H between our languages. Again, I would appeal =the-Gh%f+-. e&-Wi*>k to your leadership— and your teachers to impress upon -tkei~pw+e those who had the misfortune to be exposed to radiation the importance of the medical examinations and the necessity to trust and coope l-ate with the American doctors. Only then can we be assured that they ticontinue to receive the best medical care and treatment that we are able to provide.——.