I-131 concentrations in air, milk and antelope thyroids in southeastern Idaho

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Iodine-131 concentrations were determined in air, milk, and antelope (Antilocapra americana) thyroids from southeastern Idaho during 1972-77. Samples were collected in the vicinity of the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory Site which has 17 operating nuclear reactors, a fuel reprocessing plant, and a nuclear waste management facility. Samples were also collected from control areas. During the study, fallout occurred from five People's Republic of China above-ground nuclear weapon detonations. All I-131 detected in air and milk samples was attributed to fallout from the Chinese nuclear tests. I-131 was detected in low-volume air samples following only one of the five detonations while I-131 was detected in milk following four of the detonations. I-131 occurred in antelope thyroids during all five of the fallout periods and following at least one atmospheric release from facilities at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory Site. Thyroids were the most sensitive indicators of I-131 in the environment followed by milk and then air. Maximum concentrations in thyroids, milk, and air were 400, 20 and 4 times higher respectively than their respective detection limits.

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Reference Code: A80MAR03IDUS

Full Citation: Markham, O. D., D. K. Halford, D. E. Bihl, and R. E. Autenrieth. 1980. I-131 concentrations in air, milk and antelope thyroids in southeastern Idaho. Health Physics 38(3): 321-326.

Location: ANIMAL EF: MAMMALS