INTERNAL DEPOSITION
Specimens were obtained from the lung,liver,
G. I. tract and the skeleton. The samples were
ashed at 550° C. in a muffle oven, and the ash
made up to volume with 2 N HCL Analiquot
was then dried for beta measurement. The beta
activity was determined by means of a thin
end-window Geiger-Muller counter. Sr was
used as the basis for the mass absorption correction for the samples, as it was the major
radioelement deposited. The correction calculated is an approximation, as mass absorption is a function of the average energy of the
sample. Beta activity was measured in total
d/m, and this value was converted to pe, “Sr
equivalent.”
The gammaactivity of the tissue samples was
measured in a well-type sodium iodide scintillation counter whichhas anefficiency of about
40 percent for a Co® standard. The gamma
appearance of possible long term effects of
radiation.
A special study was carried out to determine
the effect of the radiation on the fertility of
chickens and the hatchability of their eggs.
The animals collected from Rongelap and
Utirik included 41 chickens, 9 baby chicks, 11
swine, + ducks and 1 cat. These were shipped
alive to the USNRDL. Three fish and one
large clam were taken from the Rongelaplagoou. Collection dates and mortality data for
these animals are presented in Table 5.7. In
addition, a boar, a cat and two chickens were
autopsied in the field, and representative tissues
were collected.
5.41
77
OF RADIONUCLIDES
Methods
Tissue samples were taken from all animals
which died spontaneously or were sacrificed.
Table 5.7.—Mortality and External Radiation Dose of Animals From the
Living Areas of Rongelap and Utirik
SERIES A
EXTERNAL
280 r(Day8)
("Dayor
Cottectrox)
oe
|
TOTAL
REc’p
Hens. __..-.-
6
DEAD
,
Sac’p
1
Day 23
1
Day 23
SERIES B
SERIES C
SERIES D
330 r(Day25)
340 r(Day33)
360 r(Day 51-83)
Tota
Rec’p DeEap|
—
-
,
Sac’p
TOTAL
Rec’p
ieee
20
DEapD
,
Sac'’D
2
Day 42
2
Day 44
Day 43
TOTAL
REC'D
1
TOTAL
'
Sac’p
Deap
we
37
8
3
uw... ee
---
4
1
---
weee
eee eee
_—
9
9
---
wee
teen ee
—
4
--
1
Lol.
ass
ll}
ee
5
ceeeee
a
1
--
—
Day
§
Porat DEapj Sac’p
67 #36
74 #39
92 #35
99 «(#7
130 #24
Roosters____
Yq
oles.
tLe
ue
ae
ceeeee
2
LjyoLluee
1]
Day 49
Chieks_____.
wee
cones
Leeee
week
_-
c-----
9
Of Le
Ducks____-..f
22-2.
Lette}
LLL
a
we
cece ee
4]
1
Day 56
Pigs.._-2-_.
lj
Loe
1
Day 45
7]
_.
Ce
Day
ee
ee
au--
acne
Bf]
38 Sow
57
#6
82 #24
82 #25
Cat... 2.
Edo
cle.
Lee
——
-.
Leelee
eeeee
ween
66
*Animals from Utirik: all others from Rongelap (Group IVarea animals ree’d 32 r external] dase).
**Day Post Detonation.
S06 11b 1
18
9