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Joint C~ittee on Atomic Energy Congress of the United States Rnowing of the interest of the Joint Xarshallese who were exposed to fsllout from the March 1, 1954 test at Bikini, wc wish to transmit the latest information provided by Dr. Robert Conard, Medical Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, who has juGt returned frm his annual medical survey of these people during March. His findings ere tabulated as follows: I, Young Rongelapese exposed to fallout March 1, 1954, when they were 1 to 8 years of age. (Estfmated dose: 175 reds external gtuxnaplus 600 to 1400 rem internal irradiation.) Currently normal by clinical and biochemical tests. 2 (11%) Currently hypothyroid with minimal ntiularity. Responding satisfactorily to oral thyroid hormone Kave undergone surgery fn the U. S. prior to 1969 because of nodular thyroid disease; histologic diagnoais of edencmatous goiter and lh~erthlecell tumor. Responding satlsfactortly to oral thyroid hormone therapy with one exception: This patient shows smue enlargement of the remnant of thyroid left from 8 partial thyroidectcmy in 1964; & she haG not followed her post-operative thyroid hormone regimen, there is question as to whether she should have further surgery. 11 (58%) 4. Young people operated on for thyroid disease during August 1969 and recovered. Diagnoses: Primary adencmm of serious grade malignancy in one. 3 (16%)
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(None of aix Allingfnae children exposed to l n estimated external doBe of 70 rads have shown thyroid dysfunction.) II,“ Surviving adult Rongelapese exposed to fallout. (Estimated doses 175 rads external plus 160 rem internal irradiation.) Papillary carcinoma removed surgically at lge 41. NO recurrence. Taking orsl thyroid hormone therepy. 1 &uall nodule at age 40 which disappeared under orel ‘ thyroid hormone therepy. 1 ThiG patient operated on in 1969 for removul of an HI. Surviving adult Aflinginae people exposed to fallout. 1. Adentmatous goiter rmaved at age 45; recovered and was on thyroid therapy. Died of influenza in 1960. / IV. Surviving adult Utirfk people exposed to fallout. (Esthated—.— ~ dose: 14 rads external genrncplus 15 reu intemtl irrsdiatbn.) 1. One person’developed a nodulai thyroid gland and underwent *u:gery in 1969. h the tissue reBembled a follicular ““ldenana in frozen section, l total thyroidectomy was per- ~=aded the degree of umltgnency. She has recwered No new caseg of noduler thyroids were found during e visit to Utfrik, nor were nodular thyroids found in controls on Likiep
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The major medical probla is to persuade the people to take their thyroid hormone supplement on a regular routine schedule. Thishas not yet been solved. To summarf=e, all but 2 of 19 children exposed on Rongelap have now exhfbfted thyroid dysfunctf~ as have a smaller but significant number of adults. Statistics on the frequency of th}~oid cancer tn Uicroneslens do not seem to be available; the figures for 25 countries around the world range fr~ 0.25 (Japanese males) to 1.54 {Austrian females) per 100,000 population. Dr. Conard also visited Bikini to collect urtne samples from the 25 Blkinl men temporarily there working to rehabilitate the island; lus coconut crabs will be an&lyzed for 9oSr, i%:: ;::C4%:335,W . Plans are going forward for whole body counting of the populatim before they return from Kilf to Blklni. A low key public announce=nt of these ffndf.ngsis.being considered by Brookhaven Wtional Laboratory. bee: Chairman Seaborg (2)