Radioactive Fallout Problems in Food, Water, and Clothing
The problems of food, water, and clothing in the postattack period in the event of nuclear war would be dominated by the influences of blast and flre with radioactivity contributing in a lesser way. The principal effect of radioactivity on food supplies would probably result from lethal radiation effects on livestock. Major losses of food supplies would also result from the extensive fires which would occur on a national scale following a major nuclear attack. Fresh foods that survive the initial effects and which can be delivered to the consumer before rotting, would probably be heavily contaminated with 131I for a few weeks after the attack. The dose to the thyroid from ingested 131I is likely to be the limiting factor on the amount of radioactive contamination the population can tolerate. Exposure of the intestinal lining to intensively radioactive particles ingested with food may also be a limiting factor. Compared to these sources of exposure, Sr90 would be far less of a threat. Radioiodine would also be the limiting factor in determining the amount of radioactive contamination that is permissible in water.
- Research Organization:
- New York Univ., New York
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- NSA Number:
- NSA-18-018071
- OSTI ID:
- 4040083
- Journal Information:
- Archives of Environmental Health, Journal Name: Archives of Environmental Health Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 8; ISSN 0003-9896
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
FACTORS INFLUENCING THE BIOLOGICAL AVAILABILITY OF FALLOUT RADIONUCLIDES FOR ANIMALS AND MAN
STATEMENT ON THE HAZARDS OF RADIOACTIVE FALLOUT