Publication Laka-library:
Medical survey of Rongelap people, March 1958, four years after exposure to fallout. BNL 534 (T-135) (1959)
| Author | R.A.Conard |
| Date | May 1959 |
| Classification | 4.26.4.00/09 (PACIFIC - US TESTING AREA) |
| Front | 
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From the publication:
MEDICAL SURVEY OF RONGELAP PEOPLE, MARCH 1958, FOUR YEARS AFTER EXPOSURE TO FALLOUT Background This report presents the results of a medical survey carried out in March 1958 on the Marshallese people of Rongelap Atoll who were accidentally exposed to radioactive fallout in March 1954. The accident occurred following the detonation of a high yield thermonuclear device during experiments at Bikini in the Pacific Proving Grounds. An unpredicted shift in winds caused a deposition of significant amounts of fallout on four inhabited Marshall Islands nearby and on 23 Japanese fishermen aboard their fishing vessel, the Lucky Dragon (see Figure 1.) Sixty-four inhabitants of the island of Rongelap, 105 nautical miles away from the detonation, received the largest fallout exposure: an estimated dose of 175 r whole-body gamma radiation, beta burns and epilation from contamination of the skin, and slight internal absorption of radioactive material. Another 18 Rongelap people away on a nearby island (Ailingnae), where less fallout occurred, received only about half this exposure. Twenty-eight American servicemen on the island of Rongerik further away received about the same amount of radiation as did the 18 people on Ailingnae (about 70 r). Lastly, 157 Marshallese on Utirik, about 200 miles distant, received only about 14 r whole-body radiation. The fallout was not visible on this island and no skin effects were seen. The exposed people were evacuated from these islands by plane and ship about two days after the accident and taken to Kwajalein Naval Base about 200 miles to the south, where they received extensive examinations for the following 3 months. In view of the generally negative findings on the American servicemen, they were returned to their duty stations. The Utirik people were repatriated to their home island, where the radioactivity was considered to be low enough for safe habitation. Because Rongelap Atoll was considered to be too highly contaminated, a temporary village was constructed for the Rongelap people on Majuro Atoll several hundred miles to the south, where they remained for the following 3 ½ years. In July 1957, after careful evaluation of remaining radiological hazards, Rongelap Island was found safe for habitation. A new village was constructed, and the Rongelap people were moved there by Navy ship. The present survey was therefore carried out at Rongelap Island.
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