131I Concentrations in Air, Milk and Antelope Thyroids in Southeastern Idaho

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Abstract
131I concentrations were determined in air, milk and antelope (A. americana) thyroids from southeastern Idaho, [USA] during 1972-1977. Samples were collected in the vicinity of the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory Site which had 17 operating nuclear reactors, a fuel reprocessing plant and a nuclear waste management facility. Samples were collected from control areas. During the study, fallout occurred from 5 People''s Republic of China above-ground nuclear weapon detonations. All 131I detected in air and milk samples was attributed to fallout from the Chinese nuclear tests. 131I was detected in low-volume air samples following only 1 of the 5 detonations while 131I was detected in milk following 4 of the detonations. 131I occurred in antelope thyroids during all 5 of the fallout periods and following at least 1 atmospheric release from facilities at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory Site. Thyroids were the most sensitive indicators of 131I in the environment followed by milk and air. Maximum concentrations in thyroids, milk and air were 400, 20 and 4 times higher, respectively, than the respective detection limits.

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