Transfer of /sup 137/Cs through the food chain to man

Technical Report · Fri Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1976

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7334089· OSTI ID:7334089

Evans, C.; Bennett, B. G.

Deposition, concentrations in diet, and body burdens of /sup 137/Cs have been measured since 1954 at various sites throughout the world. This report is a compilation and updating of various fallout /sup 137/Cs measurements and an interpretation of transfer properties of /sup 137/Cs from deposition to diet and from diet to man. An empirical model is used to correlate deposition and diet data. Direct foliar contamination, stored food supplies, and uptake from soil contribute to the dietary levels of /sup 137/Cs. The accumulation of /sup 137/Cs by man is described by a single exponential model. The inferred biological half-times, 200 to 400 days, are somewhat greater than the half-time of about 100 days obtained from shorter term studies. Differences in body burdens due to sex, age, and weight are discussed. During the period 1954 to 1974, the internal dose from fallout /sup 137/Cs, based on average body burdens, is estimated to be 4 to 5 percent of the 21 year radiation dose from /sup 40/K.

• Research Organization: Energy Research and Development Administration, New York (USA). Health and Safety Lab.
• OSTI ID: 7334089
• Report Number(s): HASL-310
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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