Abstract
In March 1954, a thermonuclear test explosion was performed at Bikini Atoll of the Pacific Ocean and 23 Japanese fishermen were accidentally exposed to radiation from the fallout (powder of destroyed atoll with fission products). Contamination of the body surface with radioactive fallout caused beta-ray burns. They were also irradiated with gamma-ray from the fallout deposited on the deck and in the cabins. Internal contamination occurred through inhalation, ingestion, or wounds and also through food and water on the boat. Thus, this exposure caused combined radiation injuries including acute radiation syndrome (ARS), local burns, and internal contamination. The dose estimation of whole body was based on analysis of the fallout and interviews with fishermen. The estimated dose to whole body was from 170 to 700 rad during 14 days, a half or more of the dose was irradiated on the first day of the explosion. Whereas they developed the prodromal signs of ARS such as vomiting, the duration of exposure was relatively long and their clinical courses were slightly different from those of acute radiation exposure. [J Radiat Res 44:378 (2003)]
