MEDICAL EXAMINATION OF RONGELAP PEOPLE SIX MONTHS AFTER EXPOSURE TO FALLOUT,
Abstract
Follow-up medical examinations were made of the Marshallese inhabitants of Rongelap Atoll 6 months after they had been exposed to atomic bomb fallout radiation during the Operation CASTLE test series in March, 1954. During the early acute period following exposure, these people had shown systemic effects and marked hematological changes resulting from penetrating gamma radiation; extensive superficial skin lesions and epilation associated principally with beta and soft gamma radiation from fallout material deposited on uncovered skin areas; and minimal internal contamination with fission products, resulting principally from ingestion of fallout material. At the time of the 6-month resurvey the individuals, in general, appeared healthy and normally active, and no deaths had occurred in the interim period. Chest X-rays of all individuals revealed no abnormalities ascribable to the fallout radiation. Analysis of hematological data obtained failed to demonstrate a significant effect of measles on the peripheral blood count. Neutrophile, lymphocyte, and platelet counts were not significantly different from counts taken on the 74th post-exposure day, and none of these values had returned to control levels. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1955
- Accession Number
- AD0465292
Entities
People
- E. A. Weden Jr.
- J. S. Robertson
- R. A. Conard
- V. P. Bond
Organizations
- Naval Medical Research Center