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ASSOCIATE $’ UNIVERSITIES. INC. TEL. AREA CODE 516 YAPHANK 4-6262 The Honorable William R. Norwood Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands Saipan, Mariana Islands 96950 This letter outlines plans for the forthcoming annual medical survey of the Marshallese people exposed to fallout in 1954. In addition plans are included korinitiating base line studies of the Bikini people for their body burden of radioactive elements. In the hope that these plans meet with your approval I am sending copies of this letter to various Trust Territory personnel concerned with implementing the plans, principally your Director of Public Health Dr. Peck, DISTAD Marshalls Mr. Heine, and Director of Public Health Extent of Survey. It is planned to carry out complete examinations on the exposed and unexposed Rongelap people, the latter serying as the control population. These people (some 2.50) are located primarily at Rongelap and Ebeye with a smaller number at Majuro. A few living on outlying islands probably cannot be ~examined. Also planned are examinations on the Utirik population (some 100 people) living at Utirik and Personnel. It is requested that the Trust Territory furnish the following medical personnel: Dr. Peck has indicated an interest in accompanying the group and he would be most welcome; a practitioner - Dr. Hicking experienced in previous surveys would also be most welcome; Mr. Ernest Libby whose services in photography and x-ray are most important; 3 lab technicians - particularly Sebio Shoniber and Nelson Zetkia at Majuro who have been extremely valuable in the past and 1 other technician would be most helpful (if Kosang Mizutoni were available his services would be most welcome). A Marshallese cook would be necessary. From the U.S. I have been most fortunate in getting Dr. Brown Dobyns a thyroid expert from Cleveland to participate and Dr. W. Sutow pediatrician from M. D. Anderson Hospital has agreed to participate again. Also Dr. John Bateman at this laboratory, an expert in the field of radiation
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The Honorable William R. Norwood -2- November 8, 1968 opacities of the lens may participate. Also from Brookhaven National Laboratory Dr. Demoise, Messrs. Bill Scott, Doug Clareus and Mike Makar Schedule. A separate suggested tentative schedule is attached. If the proposed time of the survey is not satisfactory it would be appreciated if I were notified as early as possible since some of our participating personnel must make plans well in advance in order to arrange busy schedules. It would not seem necessary for the Trust Territory ship to remain at Rongelap for the 11-12 days of the survey but could leave, returning at the end of the survey to take the team to Utirik. It is requested however that the ship be allowed to remain at Utirik during the 4 days of the survey since we would probably wish to live on the ship. Arrangements have been made to collect 25 urine samples from Bikini people on Kili as a base line check on their body burdens of radioactive elements. On completion of the Majuro part of the examinations it would be desirable to have Ehe ship stop at Kili in order that these samples might be collected and I might” have an opportunity to explain to the people what we are doing. We are most grateful for the fine spirit of cooperation and coordination on the part of the Trust Territory in carrying out these surveys. Mrs. Ruth Van Cleve Trust Territory Liaison Officer - Kwaj. Mr. Frank Granich, Kwaj. Participating Members of the Team
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Tentative 1969 Marshall Island Survey Schedule* Hono to Kwaj (Scott-Clareus) Exams, Rongelap students, Maui Hono to Majuro (Conard, Makar, Dobyns, Sutow) Hono to Kwaj (Demoise, Bateman) T.T. ship arrive Kwaj Kwaj to Rongelap (T.T. ship - med. team) T.T. ship arrive Rongelap, offload T.T. ship return Rongelap, onload T.T. ship Rongelap to Utirik Arrive Utirik, offload
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Mon Exams Utirik Thur T.T. Ship leave Utirik Fri Arrive Kwaj, offload, ship depart Kwaj to Hono (Bateman, Sutow, Dobyns) Kwaj to Hono