Document text
Machine-read from the scan, so expect some errors. Lines that couldn’t be read are left out.
Page 1
SUMMARY REPORT BY DR. ROBERT CONARD, MEDICAL DEPARTME~, BROOKHAVEN NATIONAL LABORATORY, OF THE CURRENT MEDIcAL STATUS OF THE MARSHALLESE EXPOSED TO FALLOUT FROM THE MARCH 1, 1954 TEST ON BIKINI’ Dr. Conard, on returning fi-om his annual medical examination of the Marshallese during March 1970, reports no new serious cases of thyroid disease among this population. The five Marshallese who underwent diagnostic procedures at Brookhaven National Laboratory and thyroid surgery at the Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital last Augus~ were in good condition. present status may be tabulated as follows: Young Rongelapese exposed to fallout March 1, 1954, when they were 1 to 8 years of age. (Estimated dose: 1’75 rads external gamma plus 600 to 1400 rem internal irradiation.) Currently normal by clinical and biochemical tests. 2 (11%) Currently hypothyroid with minimal modularity. Responding satisfactorily to oral thyroid hormone Have undergone surgery in the U. S. prior to 1969 because of nodular thyroid disease; histologic diagnosis of adenomatous goiter and Huerthle cell tumor. Responding satisfactorily to oral thyroid hormone therapy with one exception: This patient shows some enlargement of the remnant of thyroid left from a partial Chyroidectomy in 1964; as she has nor followed her post-operative thyroid hormone regimen, there is question as to whether she should have further surgery. 11 (58%)
Page 2
4. Young people operated on for thyroid disease’ durin~ August 1969 and rccotiered. Diagnoses: Primary benign adcnomatous goiter in two and papillary adenoma oi serious grade malignancy in one. 3 (16%) (None 01 si>. Ailinginae children cxpos.d to an estimated external dose of 70 rads have’ shown thyroid dysfunction.) 1.75 rads external plus 160 rem internal irradiation.) 1. Papillary carcinoma removed surgically at age 41. No recurrence. Taking oral thyroid hormone therapy. 1 ~. Small nodule at age 40 which disappeared under oral thyroid hormone therapy. 1 3. This patient operated on in 1969 for removal of ari invasive adenoma; has recovered satisfactorily. 1 111. Surviving adult Ailinginae people exposed to fallout. (Estimated dose: 70 rads external gamma irradiation.) 1. Adenomatous goiter removed at age 45; recovered and was on thyroid therapy. Died of influenza in 1968. 1 Iv. Surviving adult Utirik people exposed to fallout. (Estimated dose : 14 rads external gamma plus 15 rem internal irradiation.) ~“ One person developed a nodular thyroid gland and underwent surgery in 1969. As the tissue resembled a follicular adenoma ir, frozen seccioa$ a total thyroidectomy was performed; histologic sections confirmed the diagnosis and upgraded the d~gree of malignancy= She has recovered
Page 3
No new cases 0[ nodular thyroids W.>l”cfound during a visit to Utirik, nor were nodular thyroids found in controls on Likiep The major m~’(~ica] problem is to persuade the people to take their To summarize, all but 2 of 19 children exposed on Rongelap !Iave nod exhibited thyroid dysfunction as have a smaller but significant number of adults. Statistics on the frequency of thyroid cancer in Micronesians do not seem to be available; the figures for 25 countries around the world range [rem 0.25 (Japanese males) to 1.54 (Austrian females) per 100,000 population. Dr. Conard also visited Bikini to collect urine samples fron the 25 Bikini men temporarily there working to rehabilitate the island; lus coconut crabs will be analyzed for 90Sr, :$:: :::C$W3FPU o Plans are going forward for whole body counting of the population before they return from Kili to Bikini. A low key public announcement of rhese findings is being considered by Brookhaven National Laboratory. The same information is being forwarded to Mr. Bauser for the information of the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy. Division of Biology and Medicine