Accumulation of fallout radionuclides in Colorado mule deer
A study of the accumulation of fallout radionuclides in Colorado mule deer, supported by forage and environmental monitoring, was initiated in October 1961. Data are presented on levels of I/sup 131/ in thyroids of animals sacrificed at weekly intervals since this date. Studies on differences of I/sup 131/ accumulation between sexes and different age groups were also carried out by obtaining deer thyroids from successful hunters during Colorado big game seasons. Measurements were made on whole thyroids by use of a well-type scintillation detector. The thyroids have shown marked responses to nuclear tests and concentrations have ranged from less than 0.01 to 60 nC/g of tissue. In 1962, the average thyroid burden was about 5 nC/g, which would roughly correspond to a thyroid dose of 18 rad for the year. Observations have indicated that fetuses may have thyroid concentrations of I/sup 131/ ten times that of the pregnant female. The thyroid I/sup 131/ concentration of the fetus with respect to the dam appears to increase exponentially with fetal age. Relations between sex, age, or stable I content of the thyroid and thyroid I/sup 131/ burden were not apparent.(auth)
- Research Organization:
- Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins, CO (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AT(11-1)-1156
- NSA Number:
- NSA-17-034147
- OSTI ID:
- 4650548
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-67-20; AED-Conf-63-049-21
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Health Physics Society, 8th Annual Meeting, New York, NY (United States), 10-13 Jun 1963 public conference; not publishers format; Other Information: From Health Physics Society 8th Annual Meeting, New York, June 1963. Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-63
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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