Estimation of radionuclide ingestion: The PATHWAY food-chain model

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1990 · Health Physics; (USA)

OSTI ID:6214145

Whicker, F W; Kirchner, T B; Breshears, D D; Otis, M D ^[1]

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1. Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins (USA)

This paper describes the structure of the dynamic food-chain model PATHWAY and its utility for estimating radionuclide ingestion after fallout deposition from nuclear testing in Nevada. Model input requirements are described and output examples are provided. The basic output of PATHWAY is the time-integrated radionuclide ingestion by humans per unit fallout deposition (Bq per Bq m-2). Output specific to sex, age, life-style (diet), location (agricultural practice), event (calendar date), and radionuclide may be generated. Uncertainties of model predictions, based on Monte Carlo simulations using parameter value distributions, are described. Results of a sensitivity analysis, based on a ranking of partial correlation coefficients, are reviewed to illustrate the relative importance of parameters and associated transport pathways. Output data for 131I and 137Cs in milk are compared with predictions from several well known food-chain models. Preliminary efforts to validate PATHWAY results with real data sets are described.

• OSTI ID: 6214145
• Journal Information: Health Physics; (USA), Journal Name: Health Physics; (USA) Vol. 59:5; ISSN 0017-9078; ISSN HLTPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560162* -- Radionuclide Effects
Kinetics
& Toxicology-- Animals
Plants
Microorganisms
& Cells
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALKALI METAL ISOTOPES
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CESIUM 137
CESIUM ISOTOPES
COMPUTER CODES
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
FALLOUT
FOOD CHAINS
INGESTION
INTAKE
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
IODINE 131
IODINE ISOTOPES
ISOTOPES
MONTE CARLO METHOD
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NEVADA TEST SITE
NUCLEI
ODD-EVEN NUCLEI
P CODES
RADIOISOTOPES
RADIONUCLIDE KINETICS
SIMULATION
UPTAKE
US DOE
US ORGANIZATIONS
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES