Medical Survey of the People of Rongelap + Utirik Islands, Thirteen Fourteen + Fifteen Years After Exposure to Fallout Radiation

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Introduction on this island and no skin effects developed. These data are summarized in Table 1. This report presents in detail the results of medical surveys carried out during the past 3 years (March 1967, 1968, and 1969) on the people of Rongelap and Utirik .Atolls who had been exposed tofallout radiation in March 1!354. Earlier findings are also reviewed. The last detailed report (BNL 50029)~1 covered the surveys of March 1965 and 1966, 11 and 12 yea= after the accident. In view of the seriousness d recent findings regarding development of thyroid abnormalities, continuation of annual medical examinations and publication of detailed reports is considered These people had been accidently exposed to fhllout radiation fol!owing a detonation of a high yield thermonuclear device during experiments at Bikini in the Pacific Proving Grounds in March 1954. An unpredicted shift in winds caused a ciepasition of significant amounts of fallout on four inhabited Marshall Islands to the east of Bikini (see Figure 1) and a!so on 23 Japanese fishermen aboard their fishing vessel, the Luc~Y lhcqon. Of l~le inhabitants of the island Gf Rongelap, 105 nau:lcal miles away from the detonation, 64 received the largest fallout exposl~re: an cstimateci dose of 175 rack of whole-body ,gamma radiation. contamination of the skin sufficient to result in beta burns, and slight interna[ absorption of radioactive materials through inhalation and inqestion. Another 18 Rongeiap peopie away on a near- V Q.--”- by is!and (Ailingnac), where less fallout occurred, received only an externai ,gamma dose of about the island of Rongerik further to the east who received about the same amount of radiation as did the Rongelap people on Ailingnac, Lastlv, 157 u Marsha]lese on Utirik Island, about 200 miies further east, received an estimated 14 rads, of Figure 1. Nfap of fallout area, whole-body radiation. The fallout was not visible .MarshaliMands. hlarch 1, 1954. Q The exposed people were evacuated from these islands by plane and ship about 2 days after the accident and taken to Kwajalein N1aval Base about 150 miles to the south, where they received extensive examinations for the followinq 3 mcnths. During this period vigorous efforts were necessary to decontaminate the skin completely. In view of the generally negative findings on the American servicemen, they were later retu-rned to their dutv stations. The Utirik people were also allowed to return to their home isiand, where radioactive contamination was slight enough to allow safe habitation. Because Ronqelap .\toll was considered to be too highly contamiriated, a temporary village was constructed for the Rongelap they lived for the following 3 Vi years and were cx - amined at yeariy intervals by “a special medicai

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Summary of Fallout Effects Group* Composition Fallout observed dose, rads Extent of skin lesions Rongelap 64 Marshallese Heavy (snowlike) 175 ‘ Extensive Ailingnae 18 Marshakse Moderate (mistlike) 69 Less extensive Rongerik 28 Americans Moderate (misdike) 78 Slight Utirik ,157 Marshalleae None 14 No skin lesions or epilation lAlso exposed were 23 Japanese fishermen who received a sublethal dose. Marshallesc Populations Examined Since 1954 Ot&inal number Number Frequency Subject Group in group living (1969) of exams Ncm Rongelap 99 180c Annual since 1957 801-1104 Children Conceived After the Fallout Of exposed parent(s) 89 Annual 87-181 Of unexposed parents 110 Annual 801-1104 bInc1ud6 1 in ukro child. Cindividuals have been added since 1957 when this group was first available. team. In July 1957, after careful evaluation of radioactive contamination, Rongelap Island was considered safe for habitation. A new village was constructed, and the Rongelap people were moved The annual surveys are carried out at Rongelap and also at Kwajaiein and Majuro Atolls, where a number of Rongelap and Utirik people now reside. Examinations on Utirik Atoli are carried out about once every 3 years. A group of more than 100 Rongelap peopie, who were relatives of the exposed people but had been away from the island at the time of the accident, moved back with the exposed people to their home island and have served as an ideal comparison population for the studies. The number has since increased to >200. Since the accumulation of data from these surveys is becoming increasingly voluminous, survey reports published by this Laboratory are made as complete as possible and include a consideratile amount of raw data, much of it in appendices, so that others may have access to complete data. A summary of early and late findings covering the entire 15-year period is presented at the end of this report.