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MEMORANDUM FOR CHAIRMAN SEABORG SUBJECT: RECENT INFORMATION ON THE STATUS OF MARSHALI.ESE EXPOSED TO FALLOUT FROM Since our last memorandum on tinis subject dated January 17, 3.967, the -“the people of Rongelap Island hascomplete annual medical survey OL been carried out by a team of physicians from the United States and the Trust Territory headed by Dr. Robert A. Conard of the Medical Department of Brookhaven National Laboratory. One new case with a thyroid nodule was discovered. This additional case was in a 17-year old boy who had been away on = outlying atoll ~d~ consequently, had not been ex=ined for several years; At this time, in the group exposed at an age of less tharr ten years, 10 of a total of 19 chiltien (84percent) have deveioped thyroid pathology. Of these 16 children, two have displayed hypothuoidism” It appears that these two boys showing growth retardation nave ‘had a spurt in growt’h under treatment with thyroid hormone. The remaining lk children have had thyroid nodules. Nine have been treated surgically. These nine children plus two adults who have received surgery were all found to be in good condition with no further apparent thyroid abnormalities. Five children with thyroid nodules are receiving thyroid medication. Tne t“hyroid nodules in two of these children s-hewed significant regression; Of the other t’nree~ one is the new case, and the other two children are not felt to have received an adequate trial on this therapy. A Gecision regarding s-m?gery has been Department of E:?*39 ostponed until intensive thyroid hortione medication can be tried. Dr. Conard reports no other noteworthy medical findings ad no ~usual ~~~~~y~s illnesses or diseases that could be related to radiation effects.