Medical Status of Marshall Islanders in 1959, Five Years after Exposure to Fallout Radiation

Abstract

SummaryA medical survey of the Marshallese people in March 1959, five years after exposure to fallout radiation, showed that the people had recovered from the acute effects of their radiation exposure and appeared to be generally in good health. The following specific statements can be made in regard to their radiation health status:1. No illnesses or diseases were found that could be directly associated with acute radiation effects.2. One case of cancer and three deaths have occurred, but with no direct relation to radiation effects.3. Fertility does not appear to have been affected. The incidence of miscarriages and stillbirths appears to be somewhat higher than in the unexposed Marshallese, but a deficiency of vital statistics precludes definite conclusions as to whether or not this is a radiation effect.4. Suggestive evidence of slight lag in growth and development of exposed children noted previously is being re-evaluated on the basis of better age data obtained during the latest survey.5. Blood platelet levels are within the normal range but somewhat below that for the unexposed population.6. Only 12 cases show residual changes in the skin from beta burns. None show any evidence of cancerous change.7. Possible late effects of radiation such as shortening of life span, premature aging, increased incidence of leukemia and malignancies, increased incidence of degenerative diseases, opacities of the lens of the eyes, and genetic changes have not been detected.8. The original body burdens of internally absorbed fission products appear to be too low to have produced any acute or to be causing long-term effects.9. The return of the people to the slightly contaminated island of Rongelap has resulted in some increase in body burdens of Cesium137, Zinc65 and Strontium90. However, the levels are far below the accepted maximum permissible limits and it is not believed any untoward effects will result.