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ATOMIC ENERGY COrd MISSION Joint Committee on Atomic Energy Congress of the United States Knowing of the interest of the Joint Committee in the status of the I%rshallese who were exposed to fallout from the March 1, 1954, test at Bikini, we wish to transmit the latest information provided by Dr. Robert A. Conard, Medical Department, Brookhaven National “ Laboratory, who has just returned from his annual medical survey of these people February lated as follows: were 1 to 8 years gamma plus 600 to 20 to March 20, 1971. His findings are tabuexposed” to fallout March 1; 1954, when they of age. (Estimated dose: 175 rads external 1400 rem internal irradiation.) Currently normal by clinical and biochemical tests. (There may be a slight unevenness of the gland in C~rrently hypothyroid rith minimal nodulirity. Ees?onding satisfactorily to orsl thyroid hormone Have undergone surgery in the Ue Se prior to 1969 bzczuse of nodular thyroid disease; histologic diz,gncsis of adenomztous goiter and Huerthle cell tu=or. Desponding satisfactorily to oral thyroid shows some enlzrgerj~nt of the r~mnant of thyroid left from a partiai thyroitiectca~- in 1964; as she has not followed hcr post-operative thyroid hormone regimen, there is question as to ~-hether she should
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4. Young people operated on for thyroid disease during August 1969 and recovered. Diagnoses: Primary benign adenomatous goiter in two and papillary “ adenoma of serious grade malignancy in one. 3 (16%) (None Of six Ailinginae children exposed to an estimated external dose of 70 rads have shown thyroid dysfunction.) II. Surviving adult Rongelapese exposed to fallout. (Estimated dose: 175 rads external plus 160 rem internal irradiation.) Papillary carcinoma removed surgically at age 41. No recurrence. Taking oral thyroid hormone therapy. Small nodule at age 40 which disappeared under oral thyroid hormone therapy. This patient operated on in 1969 for removal of an invasive acienoma; has recovered satisfactorily. (All the above in I znd II ~:ho u~derwent surgery appear to be in 111. Surviving adult Ailinginze people exposed to fallout. (Estimated dose : 70 rads external .&ama irradiation.) on thyroid therapy. Died of influenza in 1968. 1. Oae person dcvslo?et a noticlar thyroid gland and underi<ent scrgery in 1969. As the tissue rese~bled a follicu12r zdeaoza in frozen section, a total
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2. One person with slight enlargement of one lobe of the thyroid to be treated conservatively and observed. one case of nodular thyroid has been found in a non-exposed Rongelap woman living on Ebeye. Thyroid surgery has been recommended for this patient at Majuro Hospital. No other instances of thyroid abnormalities have been found in the control populations living on Utirik, Majuro or Ebeye. It appears that the exposed populations have stabilized so far as the thyroid reactions are concerned. Since the delayed reactions by the thyroid are a possibility, Dr. Conard proposes that this population continue to be kept under observation. Dr. Conard notes that the Bikini people now living on Kili are putting increasing pressure on the Trust Territory for return to the Atoll before the restoration is complete and the land can support-a population. This movement may cause the Trust Territory to ask that all radiologic and safety activities be accelerated so that decisions can be made as to construction of homes, cisterns, etc., ahead of schedule. A low key public announcement of the above observations is being considered by the Brookhaven public relations office.