Citation

Cronkite EP, Bond VP, Conard RA. Stem Cells 1995; 13(Suppl 1): 49-57.

Affiliation

Medical Department, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973-5000, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1995, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

7488968

Abstract

On March 1, 1954, after detonation of a thermonuclear device on Bikini atoll, an unexpected wind shift resulted in the deposition of radioactive fallout on inhabited atolls. The fallout radiation caused fleeting systemic effects, dose-dependent depression of hematopoiesis and skin burns primarily due to the beta ray component of the fission radionuclides. Within a few weeks, hematopoietic recovery was substantial but slight depression of blood counts was maintained for several years. One case of fatal acute myeloblastic leukemia developed in a boy receiving 1.9 Gy as an infant. Cretinism developed in two boys exposed as infants with estimated thyroidal dose in excess of 50 Gy. Chemical hypothyroidism was detected in several persons. Thyroid adenomas and cancer commenced appearance ten years after exposure and became a major long-term medical problem. There have been no late effects attributable to the beta burns 40 years after exposure. Internal contamination from ingestion and inhalation of radionuclides is detectable. The doses are comparable to background levels in the U.S. There is no detectible decrease in longevity of the exposed Marshallese compared to an unexposed Marshallese population.

Language: en