(News Releases Regarding a Study of Thyroid Conditions in Utah School Children as Part of an Investigation Into Nevada Test Site Radiation Exposure)

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INFO : JOEL A IT IN DRISCOLL HOTEL HERE IS THE THURSDAY A.M. RELEASE BEING ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH,EDUCATION AND WELFARE. THE SURGEON GENERAL IS HOLDING A BAC X GROUNDER AT 1:30 P.M. TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ON THE SUBJECT : A PROGRESS REPORT ON A STUDY OF THYROID CONDITIONS IN APPROXIMATELY 2800 WASHINGTON COUNTY, UTAH, SCHOOLCHILDREN AND A COMPARISON GROUP OF ABOUT 1400 STUDENTS IN GRAHAM COUNTY, HEALTH DIRECTOR,AT A REGULAR MEETING OF THE UTAH STATE BOARD O F HEALTH. THE REPORT WAS MADE PUBLIC SIMULTANEOUSLY BY THE THE STUDY IS PART OF ALONG - TERM INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER A STATISTICALLY MEANINGFU$ELATIONSHIP MIGHT EXIST BETWEEN CERTAIN HEALTH DEFECTS, WHICH MAY OCCUR NATURALLY, AND EXPOSURES TO RADIATION.THE INFORMATION BEING GATHERED INCLUDES SUCH DATA AS FAMILY HISTORY OF THYROID ABNORMALITIES ; RESIDENCE HISTORY ; AND EXPOSURE TO MEDICAL AND DENTAL RADIATION AS WELL A S EXPOSURE TO FALLOUT FROM THE NUCLEAR TEST SITE IN NEVADA WHICH MIGHT HAVE BEEN RECEIVED IN THE 1950s. THE REPORT IS AS FOLLOWS : PRELIMINARY PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS OF THE THYROID GLANDS OF STUDENTS IN BOTH COMMUNITIES BY A TEAM OF PHYSICIANS ORGANIZED BY THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE BEGAN SEPTEMBEK 17, 1965, AND WERE COMPLETED OCTOBER 11. EACH STUDENT WAS EXAMINED INDEPENDENTLY BY THREE PHYSICIANS. THAT THYROID NODULES OR SMALL LUMPS,MIGHT BE PRESENT IN 10 OF THE UTAH STUDENTS AND I N 25 OF THE ARIZONA GROUP. CONCLUSIONS FROM THE APPARENT DIFFERENCE IN THE INCIDENCE OF NODULES IN THE TWO GROUPS. NOR D O WE HAVE DATA ABOUT THE IN CIDE NR S OF NODULES IN THE POPULATION GENERALLY. AT LEAST ONE PHYSICIAN IN EACH INSTANCE WAS OF THE OPINION THE DATA ARE NOT YET COMPLETE ENOUGH TO WARRANT DRAWING ANY A PANEL OF THREE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED MEDICAL EXPERTS ON

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THE THYROID GLAND ' HAS BEEN APPOINTED T O CONDUCT FURTHER STUDY WILLIAM H. STEWART OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE MADE THE COMMENTING ON THE PROGRESS REPORT,SURGEON GENERAL THE MEDICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THESE FINDINGS.THYROID GLAND NODULES ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO IDENTIFY IN CHILDREN AND . ADOLESCENTS. WE NEED TO DETERMINE FIRST,THE SIGNIFICANCE " IN THIS PRELIMINARY PHASE IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO ASSESS OF THE THYROID NODULES WHICH MAY BE PRESENT ; AND SECOND, "AMONG THE ABNORMALITIES WHICH MAY BE ASSOCIATED WITH THYROID NODULES ARE NON - TOXIC GOITER,INFLAMMATORY DISEASES OF THE THYROID, AND EITHER BENIGN OR MALIGNANT TUMORS." DR. STEWART SAID THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE HAS CALLED TOGETHER A PANEL OF NATIONALLY KNOWN MEDICAL AUTHORITIES ON THE THYROID GLAND FOR FURTHER STUDY OF THE TWO GROUPS.THEY WILL CONDUCT THEIR STUDY IN MID-NOVEMBER AND WILL DETERMINE WHETHER FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES ARE REQUIRED.FAMILY PHYSICIANS,PARENTS AND HEALTH AUTHORITIES WILL BE ADVISED CONCERNING EACH INDIVIDUAL SITUATION. THE SURGEON GENERAL SAID IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO ASCRIBE A DEFINITIVE CAUSE TO ANY THYROID ABNORMALITIES FOUND IN THE SMIY - SINCE THYXOID IRREGULARITIES MAY OCCUR NATURALLY AND INFORMATION ABOUT THE PATTERNS OF THEIR OCCURRENCE IS INADEQUATE. " FOR THIS REASON ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REMAINS TO BE COLLECTED.THIS WILL INCLUDE THE HISTORY OF GOITER AMONG FAMILIES OF THE STUDENTS ; THE HISTORY OF THEIR RESIDENCE DURING THE 1350s; DIETARY HABITS ; AND PRESENT MEDICAL STATUS WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO ENDOCRINE DISORDERS, AND HISTORY OF RADIATION EXPOSURE OF ANY SORT.INCLUDING MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT, -OR FALLOUT. " BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF IX FORMATION ABOUT THE NORMAL INCIDENCE OF THYROID ABNORMALITIES SUCH AS NODULES DEFINITIVE CONCLUSIONS CANNOT BE DRAWN. TO HELP FILL THIS GAP AND I BIL IT Y OF CONDUCTING SIMILAR STUDIES OF THE TEY ROID IN OTHER

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FULL RATE OR To: JAKE JACOBSON Here i s the Thursday a . m . release being issued by the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. The Surgeon General is holding a backgrounder at 1:30 p. m. to answer questions on the subject: APPROVED FOR DISPATCH

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A progress report on a study of thyroid conditions in approximately t about 1400 students in Graham County, Arizona, was given today by Dr. G. D. C. Thompson, Utah State Health Director, at a regular meeting of the Utah State Board of Health. The report was made public simultaneously by the Public Health Service, U. S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, which is conducting the study. The study is part of a long-term investigation to determine whether a statistically meaningful relationship might exist between certain health defects, which may occur naturally, and exposures to radiation., The information being gathered includes such data as family history of thyroid abnormalities; residence history; and exposure to medical and dental radiation as well as exposure to fallout from the nuclear test site in Nevada which might have been received in the 1950s. The report is as follows: Preliminary physical examinations of the thyroid glands of students in both cornunities by a team of physicians organized by the Public Health Service began September 17, 1965, and were completed October 11. Each student was examined independently by three physicians. At least one physician in each instance was of the opinion that thyroid nodules or small lumps, might be present in 70 of the Utah students and in 25 of the Arizona group. A panel of three nationally recognized medical experts on the thyroid gland has been appointed to canduct further study on the 95 cases.

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Comenting on the progress report, Surgeon General William H. Stewart of the Public Health Service made the following statement: significance of these findings.AWe need to determine first, the significance of the thyroid nodules which may be present; and second, what further diagnostic or therapeutic procedures are indicated. /' . It "Among the abnoraalities which may be associated with thyroid nodules are non-toxic goiter, inflammatory diseases of the thyroid, and either benign or malignant tumors./I Dr. Stewart said the Public Health Service has called together a panel of nationally known medical authorities on the thyroid gland for further study of the two groups. November and will determine whether further diagnostic procedures are required. Family physicians, parents and health authorities will be advised concerning each individual situation. They will conduct their study in midMembers of the panel are: Dr. Raymond F. Keating, Jr., Mayo Clinic; National Institutes of Health. The Surgeon General said it would be difficult to ascribe a definitive cause to any thyroid abnormalities found in the study since thyroid irregularities may occur naturally and information about the patterns of their occurrence

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"For this reason additional information remains to be collected. of goiter among families of the students'; the history of their residence during the 1950s; dietary habits; and present Hr.sGlQ-u 0 +medical status with particular reference to endocrine disorders, and b g - + "Because of the lack of information about the normal incidence of thyroid abnormalities such as nodules definitive conclusions cannot be drawn. To help fill this gap and provide baseline information we are investigating the possibility of conducting similar studies of the thyroid in other

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OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY DEPARTMENT O F HEALTH. EDUCATION, AND WELFARE I am attaching for your informtion a copy of a release on the preliminary results of a study being conducted by the Division of Radiological Health, Public Health Service, i n cooperation with the Utah State Board of Health. The handling or' this matter was discussed with Doug Cater, Dr. Hornig and Dr. Bing. The Surgeon General will background wire service reporters and science writers prior t p the distribution of the release this afternoon.

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HEALTH, HXICATION, AND WELFARE Public Health Service A pmgress reprt on a study of thymid conditions in approxi~mtely2,000 Washington Cbunty, Utah, school children and a group of about 1,400 studenta in oraham county, Arizona, waa given Wdnesday by Dr. G. D. C. T h p s o n , Utah State Health Director, a t a regular meeting of the Utah State Board of Health. report was made public s ~ lta nw usl yby the Public Health Service, U.S. Deparbent of Health, Education, and Welfare, which is conducting the study in coolxration uith the State. The study i s part of a long-term hvesQation to determine whether a Statistically meaningful relationship might exlst between certain health defects, Which may occur naturally, and exposures to radiation. gathered includes such data as family history o f thyroid abnormalltiesj residence history; a d expsure ta medical and dental radiation as well as exposure to fall aut from the Nuclear Test S i t e in Nevada which might have been received in the 195Q. The report is as follows: Frellminery physical examhations of the thymid glanda of students i n both wrmmurities by a team of physicians organized by the Public Health Service began September 17, 1965, and were completed October ll. EBoh student was examined independently by three physicians. A t least one physician in each instance was of the own that mid nodules or s m a l l lumps, might be present i n 70 of the Utah students and i n 25 o f the Arizone group. The data a r e not yet complete enough to warrant drawing any conclusions from the apparent differerne in ths incidence of nodules i n the trr0 nodules i n the general poplation. A panel of three natio ~ l l yreoognized medical experts on the -0id gland has been appointed to conduct further study on the 95 cases. Conurenting on the progress report, Surgeon General \Viyilliam H. Stewart of Nor do we have any statistical data on the incidence ofmid

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the Public Health Senrice made the folloning statenentr "In this preliminary phase it i s not possible t o assess the medical si wi canoe of these findings. Be need ta determine first, the significance of tha thP'oid llodules whioh may be present; and secord, what h the rd bg m ~ tic O r therapeutic procedures are indicated. "Among the abmrmalities which may be associated Kith thymid nodules are Mn-bxic @iter, infhbry diseases of the thyroid, and either benign or Dr. Stewart said the Public Health Service has called together a panel UT nationally known medical authorities on the w o i d gland for furtiier study of the tno groups. They w i l l determine whether further diagnostic procedures are concerning each individual sitaation. Family physicians, parents and health authorities w i l l be aavised Institutes of Health. The Surgean General said it would be difficult to ascribe a definitive came t o any thyroid abnormalitiee found i n the study since midi r re writ ies may occur naturally and infomatdon about the patterns of their occurrence i s "For this reason additional information remains to be collected. Ibis will include: the history o f goiter among families o f the students; h e h.isCo,g. of their residence during the 1950s; dietary habits; present medical s tnt us With particular refereme t o endocrine disorders; and history of radistLon exposure of any sort, including medical diagmsis or treatment, o r fallout. abnorrmalities such a s modules, definitive conclusions cannot be drawn. fill this gap and provide baseline information x e are undertaking similar studies of the m i d in other ccarmnities." "Because of the lack of infornation about the normal incidence of t m i d

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FEDERAL RADIATION COUNCIL MEMORANDUM FOR FEDERAL RADIATION COUNCIL SUBJECT: Press release on Utah situation After the Council meeting of yesterday morning the F R C Staff worked with the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare on a proposed press release which would reflect the discussion at the meeting. the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare and the the staff of the Joint Committee on Atomic .Energy this morning. The Surgeon General is holding a background meeting f o r ' selected medical writers today at 1:30 p. m., as suggested at the Council meeting by Mr. Cater. The attached release has been approved by The Division of Radiological Health is brikfing

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FOR RELEASE A.M. PAPERS A progress report on ah iii u ~ of thyroid conditions in approximately 2000 Washington County, Utah, s c ~ ixi lc hil d ren and a group of about 1400 students in Graham Cduiity, Arizona, was given r today by the Utah State Board of Health.The report w13s m de public simultaneously Welfare, which is conducting the study in cooperation with the State. The study is part of along - tc rm investigation to dat ermine whether a statistically meaningful rel a tim ship might exist between certain health defects, which my occur naturally, rind exposures to radiation. The information being gathered includes such data ;is family I:i storv of thyroid abnormalities ; residence history ; and exposure to medical ariL d,iical radiation as well as exposure to fallout from the Nuclear Test Site in Xirvada which might have been received in the 1950s. The report is as follows : Preliminary physical examinations of thc thyroid glaad s of stud z nts in both communities by a ti,:im of physicians organized by the Public Health Service began Sept; Each student was examine” ,r:dcpcndently by three physicians. Atleast one physician in .:.ich instance was of the opi nior.that thyroid nodules or small lumps, might b e present i n 70 of the Utah students and i n 25 of the, \ ri zona group. The data are not yet compl,.te enough to warrant drawing any conclusions from the apparent differ cccc : in the incidence of nodules in the two nodules in the general population. r 1 7 , 1965, and were completed October 11. Nor do w e have any statistical data on the incidence of th:..roid pnnei of three nationally rc cog niz cd rncriicai experts on the thyroid gland has been appointed to conduct further study on tRe 95 cases.

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significance of the s a finding:, . Lie need to deter nine first,the further diagnostic or therape;;t i z proccdurils arc indicated. are non-i..i:.c goi rir, infl.?.m;i.,;. :, diseases o f the rh y roid, and either panei.., - ,tion ally icnown nt.dic.81 .iut hori ties on the thyroid gland for further siutiy of the two group:;. ThGy will conduct their study in midKovember and will dst ermine whetlizr further dias no stic procedures are required. :ani;:c ? nys ici an s,parents cind 1 1 ~ 3 1t h authorities will be advised concerning h ' at ional Institutes of Health. The Surgeon General said L: would be difficult to ascribe a definitive cause :o any thyroid ab norm n li ties iound in the study since thyroid irregular i - ties may occur naturally and in fc r x ation about the patterns of their occurrence "For this reason a rl d it ion. : l information remains to be collected. This will include : the history of their residence riiiring the 1950s: dietary habits : present radiation exposure or' any sort, including mgdical diagnosis or treatment, or fallout. the history u € gaiter anocg families of the students ;

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the possibility of conducting hi r : .ili ir studies of :he *_,,-:I-Lc>iu&il other

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HEALTH. EDUCATION. AND WELFARE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY …