Abstract
Accidental exposure of people of Rongelap Island to radioactive fallout and particularly to radioactive iodines in the fallout has resulted in the development of thyroid abnormalities in 21 of 67 of these people, 3 with malignant lesions, 16 with benign adenomatous nodules, and 2 with atrophy of the gland with hypothyroidism. The preponderance of lesions occurred in children exposed at less than 10 years of age who had received a greater thyroid exposure. Growth retardation associated with hypothyroid tendency was noted in some children who appear to be responding favorably to thyroid hormone medication. Thyroidectomy, partial to complete, has been carried out on 18 patients. Risk for thyroid cancer from radioactive iodine exposure in this group does not appear to be very different from that reported following x-irradiation.
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