IMPLICATIONS OF IODINE 131 IN FALLOUT

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1964 · Public Health Rept.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/4592044· OSTI ID:4084822

Brink, M F; Read, M S

Iodine-131 has a half life of approximately 8 days. Fallout, which comes primarily from the troposphere, is therefore significant only within weeks after a nuclear explosion. Dairy cows secrete in their milk approximately 6% of the amount of I/sup 131/ they ingest. Because of the short tinge interval between the processing of milk and its consumption, milk is believed to be the primary source of I/sup 131/. Approximately 30% of the ingested quantity of I/ sup 131/ is concentrated in the thyroid gland. However, no case of thyroid cancer in man has been found to be caused by I/sup 131/. The radiation protection guides established by the Federal Radiation Council are based on lifetime exposures, primarily for industry. These guides are not a dividing line between safety and danger, and they are not intended to dictate when or what kind of action should be taken. Averages for intake levels are based on infants and young children. Exposures many times the guide levels would probably not result in an increased incidence of disease. (auth)

• Research Organization: National Dairy Council, Chicago
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-18-009938
• OSTI ID: 4084822
• Journal Information: Public Health Rept., Journal Name: Public Health Rept. Vol. Vol: 79
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

AGE
ANIMALS
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
CANCER
COWS
FALLOUT
FOOD
HALF-LIFE
IODINE 131
MAN
MILK
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
QUANTITY RATIO
RADIATION PROTECTION
SAFETY
SPACE
THYROID