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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

TOXICITY OF SIGNIFICANT RADIONUCLIDES IN LARGE ANIMALS

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4624112

The biological availability and potential hazards from the ingestion of fallout fission products by domestic animals are discussed. Results are reported from studies on the effects of continuous ingestion of Sr/sup 90/ in miniature swine and I/sup 131/ in sheep. Miniature swine fed low levels of Sr/sup 90/ showed no observable effects during their first 4 years of life. It is pointed out that under normal agricultural practices, swine are sent to market at about 6 months of age and are rarely kept for breeding stock past 2 years of age. It is concluded that the level of Sr/sup 90/ ingestion by the standard domestic pig would not be enough to impair either growth of reproduction. An average contamination of about 0.02 mu C I/sup 131//lb of vegetation eaten by adult sheep did not impair growth or reproduction of the animal or its offspring. (C.H.)

Research Organization:
General Electric Co. Hanford Atomic Products Operation, Richland, Wash.
DOE Contract Number:
AT(45-1)-1350
NSA Number:
NSA-17-040482
OSTI ID:
4624112
Report Number(s):
HW-SA-3085; CONF-264-1
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English