28.
Bisenbud,
Merril
GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION OF RADIOACTIVITY FROM NUCLEAR DBTONA]
TIONS, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO STRONTIUM.
(cont'd.)
The p gbable average leygl of world-wide contamination
by Sr7¥, when all of Sr’
produced tc date has been deosited, may be approximately 20 mec per square nile.
Presence of this isotope in soil is significant oniy
eg a“
a
because it is potentially available for assimilation by
plants, animals, and ultimately man.
Increase of sr?
contamination in milk studied in the metropolitan New
York milkshed is proportionally relative to cumulative
Sr
contamination in the soil of this study area.
Maximum forseeable assimilation of Sr90 in the human
re
skeleton is estimated to be about 2.3 r.e.pe
expectancy of 70 years.
Natural limits of K*0
in life
ana cl
cosmic rays, terrestrial y-radiation, and natural Ra
is compared at 7-30 r.ep.e for the same life span.
29.
Failla,
G.
STATEMENT ON RADIOACTIVE FALLOUT.
ON BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE.
50 (1958).
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Scientist 46, 138-
The radioactive fallout problem is discussed in detail
with references to the report of the Committee on the
Biological Effects of Atomic Radiation of the National
Academy of Sciences.
The discussion includes:
the
accumulation of strontium-90 in soil, milk, and human
bones, its possible damage in the forms of genetic
damage, leukemia, and bone tumors; and the recommend=
ed upper limit of 10 r in 30 years for the genetic
dose to the population of the United States.
Although
the dose from nuclear explosions is small in relation
to the total radiation from other sources, the esti-~
mate of ultimate damage to the world's present and
future population is large enough to cause concern by
the public.
In terms of national security, necessary
tests of nuclear weapons are justified; however, in
view of the adverse repercussions caused by these
tests, the Committee recommends that tests be held to
a minimum consistent with scientific and military
requirements and that appropriate steps be taken to
correct the present status of confusion on the part
of the public.