1963/12/01 by W. L. Marter · 2 citations
Environmental Science · Engineering · Health Professions · #Radioactive contamination and transfer #Nuclear and radioactivity studies #Radioactivity and Radon Measurements
paper · doi:10.1097/00004032-196312000-00005
A release of 153 c of radioiodine from a Purex fuel processing facility, most of which occurred May 30 through June 3, 1961, temporarily increased the level of I131 in the environment of the Savannah River Plant (SRP). Prevailing southwest winds and atmospheric inversions dispersed the radioiodine mainly to the northeast of the Plant. Theoretical dispersion equations were verified by measurements of I131 in air at distances up to 25 miles from the Plant. I131 on vegetation decayed with an apparent half life of 5 days, as compared to the physical half life of 8 days. This is attributed to dilution of the activity by new vegetative growth. The reduction of radioiodine in milk closely followed the apparent half life in grass. Laboratory tests with iodine-contaminated vegetation showed that rainfall removed little or no iodine. Consumption of milk in the area of highest deposition could have resulted in a thyroid dose up to 1.2 rems for a child. Empirical relationships relating the transfer of radioiodine from air to grass and then to milk are compared with those determined earlier at SRP and elsewhere.