IODINE-131 IN FRESH MILK AND HUMAN THYROIDS FOLLOWING A SINGLE DEPOSITION OF NUCLEAR TEST FALLOUT
Measurements of fallout pattern, I/sup 131/ levels of open fields and fresh milk, and external gamma dose rate were made at various locations from 50 to 400 miles from the detonation of a low yield nuclear device (Small Boy) on a 10 ft wooden tower at the Nevada Test Site on July 14, 1962. Results indicate that the content of I/sup 131/ in fresh milk reached a maximum value within 4 days following deposition of fallout, and thereafter decreased exponentially with a half reduction time of about 5 days. A formula is presented for estimating levels of I/sup 131/ in fresh milk from the external gamma dose rate in open fields 24 hr following the detonation. A formula is also presented for use in estimating the I/sup 131/ content of the human thyroid and the resulting internal radiation dose to the thyroid resulting from the daily consumption of fresh milk from cows grazing on pastures on which there has been a single deposition of nuclear test fallout. Thyroid burdens of persons on dairy farms in Utah were calculated from measured levels of I/sup 131/ in milk, and the calculated levels were compared with in vivo measurements of I/sup 131/ burdens. The results are discussed and reasons for uncertainty in the relation between milk levels and gamma levels are considered. (C.H.)
- Research Organization:
- Division of Biology and Medicine, AEC
- NSA Number:
- NSA-18-003598
- OSTI ID:
- 4126677
- Report Number(s):
- TID-19266
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
I$sup 131$ IN MILK AND THYROID OF DAIRY CATTLE FOLLOWING A SINGLE CONTAMINATION EVENT AND PROLONGED DAILY ADMINISTRATION
I$sup 131$ CONCENTRATIONS IN BLOOD, MILK, URINE AND FECES OF DAIRY COWS FOLLOWING A SINGLE DOSE OF RADIO-IODINE