Kingdom (3). The soil levels of Zr°-
Nb*, which are less affected by the
1957 and earlier fallout than are levels
of the longer-lived nuclides, show a
maximum variation of 20 percent from
the New York City cumulative fallout
levels. In addition, the results of sys-
tematic ionization-chamber measurements of open-field dose rates performed by Vennart (3) in Belmont,
Surrey, England, closely parallel the
Zr“*-Nb™ dose rate curve of Fig. 3.
These observations imply (i) that
weathering and roughness of terrain
had little effect on doses from fallout
activities during the two-year period,
and (ii) that the most significant contribution to total-radiation dose rates
was made by radioactive zirconium,
or possibly by other fission products
of comparably short half-life.
Although the beta emitters in faliout are not sufficiently energetic to
cause significant external doses except
through direct deposition on body surfaces, internal doses do occur through
inhalation and ingestion of debris particles (5). In addition, the chemical
similarity of some of the radionuclides
to elements normally assimilated by the
body results in concentrated doses to
specific tissues. The over-all effect of
radiation on the population cannot be
known, therefore, until many complex
meteorological, physica), chemical, and
biological factors are thoroughly understood. It is clear, however, that any
valid assessment of the effect of radiation, past or future, must include consideration of fallout and more realistic
treatment of the short-lived fission products.
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