* Plutonium-239, a 24,000 year half-life isotope that is either
unconsumed remains fromthe plutonium-239 composition of the
nuclear explosives or is formed by capture of a neutron into
.
uranium-238 nuclei (Followed later by two beta-particle decays
completing the transmutation to plutonium-239) during the instant
of the nuclear explosion. Being principally an emitter of alpha
The concern
is instead in regard to internal exposure, principally to the
lung following retention upon breathing the |dust; the subsequent
hazard is risk of cancer formation.
(Retention of plutonium-239
via the food chain is of very reduced concern.)
Other radioactive isotopes exist on the Atoll as a result of the
various test series, but the health hazards they produce are insignificant compared to cesium-137, strontium-90, and plutonium-239 and
furthermore are insignificant on the bases of any of the several existing
guidelines for safe radiological conditions for the general public.
These less important isotopes resulted from the following processes
during the tests:
@ Other fission product isotopes resulting from nuclear explosions.
* Isotopes resulting from capture of neutrons by other materials
nearby the nuclear explosive during the instant of explosion, for
example iron-55 from neutron capture iron in towers, barges, and
containers of the nuclear explosive and carbon-14 from neutron
capture in carbon found in the natural surroundings.
4
LT EY WEY
of very reduced concern regarding external exposures,
toe rena ne
particles, which are very lightly penctrating, plutonium-239 is