fish are also comparable to those concentrations
in similar types of species
consumed in the United States.
The Pu concentrations
surgeonfish
lower
from
Rongelap
are
consumed in the United Kingdom.
than
average
in mullet and convict
levels
in
pelagic
fish
The Pu, however, presently contributes only a
small fraction of the dose from ingestion of marine food products.
DOSE COMPARISONS
The
estimated,
maximum
annual
radionuclide
dose
rates
consumption of fish are about 0.01% of the 500 mrem/y Federal
most atolls and islands and about 0.02% for Rongelap.
from
the
guideline
for
The 30-y integral doses
range from about 0.01 to 0.06% of the Federal 30-y guideline of 5 rem.
The
estimated doses from the consumption of clams is only a very small fraction of
that
from the intake of fish (on the average,
body and less than 10% for bone marrow).
less
than 0.54
for
the whole
The clams contribute this very small
fraction of the dose in the marine pathway even though detection limit values
were
used
as
the
actual
concentration.
will be less than these values.
In
fact,
the
concentration
in
clams
Therefore, the actual doses from ingestion of
clams will be less than those shown in Table 6 and would actually contribute
an even smaller fraction of the dose relative to fish.
The doses estimated for the various radionuclides for the marine pathway
must be viewed with the likely source of each radionuclide in mind.
The doses
listed here are based on the currently observed radionuclide concentrations at
the atolls and islands.
The Cs and Sr concentrations in fish from the atolls
and islands are similar to those observed in fish from other locations around
the
world
Therefore,
in
which
doses
the
concentrations
calculated
for
nuclides in the water column.
Cs
and
are
Sr
derived
reflect
from
global
concentrations
These concentrations can increase
fallout.
of
these
if any type
of global atmospheric testing occurs because the primary source of these two
radionuclides
tests
is
contributes
from
global
only
a
fallout;
small
any
fraction of
residual
the
activity
activity
from
that
is
the
1950
presently
associated with the muscle tissue of fish.
The
radionuclide
concentrations
and
radiological) decay.
doses
assuming
are
that
However,
calculated
they
are
using
the
removed
by
current
only
physical
the residence time of Cs and Sr
oceanic water columns is less than their 30-y half-life.
(i.e.,
in the upper
Therefore the doses,
in absence of any further testing, are probably overestimated.
13
radionuclide