REPORT OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES SUBCOMMITTEE FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF DAMAGE TO LIVESTOCK FROM RADIOACTIVE FALLOUT

Journal Article · Thu Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1962 · Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (U.S.)

OSTI ID:4771479

Rust, J H

It was concluded that flesh from moribund animals exposed to large doses of BETA and gamma radiation may be safely eaten. It is likely that external gamma -ray exposure will result in death of farm animals before injury to the gastrointestinal tract from consumption of fission products becomes a critical factor. Exposure to heavily contaminated forage for prolonged periods may result in loss of milk or egg production without causing death of the animals. Radioactive Sr, Cs, and I consumed by animals would not cause death of the animals or serious radiation injury, but, when combined with external gamma -ray exposure, might augment internal damage and the death rate expected from the external radiation. Fertility of livestock probably would not be greatly affected by external gamma -ray exposure, contrary to experimental results in small laboratory animals, and no matter how high the exposure, reduction of fertility to the point of wiping out livestock populations would not be expected. (H.H.D.)

• Research Organization: Univ. of Chicago
• NSA Number: NSA-16-032720
• OSTI ID: 4771479
• Journal Information: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (U.S.), Journal Name: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (U.S.) Vol. Vol: 140; ISSN JAVMA
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ANIMALS
BETA PARTICLES
BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
CATTLE
CESIUM ISOTOPES
CONTAMINATION
EGGS
FALLOUT
FISSION PRODUCTS
FOOD
GAMMA RADIATION
HORSES
INTESTINE
IODINE ISOTOPES
IRRADIATION
LETHAL DOSE
MEAT
METABOLISM
MILK
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION INJURIES
REPRODUCTION
SAFETY
SHEEP
STOMACH
STRONTIUM ISOTOPES