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location, and from the almost inevitable beta contamination even within
a shielded area, the measurement equipment probably would not operate
because the background levels would drive it off scale.
Without definitive emergency standards, and without food- and
water-monitoring equipment, what is to be done?
We believe that the internal-emitter hazard is so small compared
to the external gamma radiation hazard that essentially it can be
ignored, at least during the shelter stay-period.
Later, as health
standards return to more-nearly-normal peacetime criteria, evaluations of food and water based on radiochemical analyses will be necessary so that the specific nuclides can be identified, and precautions or
countermeasures can be taken accordingly.
There are two common-sense procedures that should be followed
in any fallout area:
first, primarily because of the radioiodine problem,
water from open reservoirs should be avoided if other sources are available; and second, during the first few weeks following the attack, child-
ren (especially babies), also because of the radioiodine hazard, should
not be given milk from cattle that have grazed on contaminated pasture.
However, in any situation where the requirement for food or water
became stark, always it would be better to use any available source of
bu-mnal
supply than to denyit.