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Radiation effects on livestock: physiological effects, dose response.

M C Bell

    Veterinary and Human Toxicology
    |June 1, 1985
    PubMed
    Summary

    Farm livestock are resilient to ionizing radiation unless levels are extremely high. Protective measures like stored feed can mitigate risks from radioactive fallout, ensuring food chain safety.

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    Area of Science:

    • Environmental Science
    • Radiation Biology
    • Agricultural Science

    Background:

    • Farm livestock generally tolerate ionizing radiation well, with effects only appearing at levels far exceeding natural background radiation.
    • Potential sources of significant radiation exposure include accidents at nuclear facilities and thermonuclear explosions, impacting livestock and the human food chain.
    • Existing data primarily focuses on acute gamma radiation exposure near the lethal dose 50/60 (LD 50/60), but grazing animals face additional beta exposure from ingested fallout.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To assess the impact of ionizing radiation on farm livestock.
    • To understand species-specific sensitivities and recovery capabilities following radiation exposure.
    • To evaluate the risk of radioactivity transfer through livestock products to humans.

    Main Methods:

    • Review of existing data on ionizing radiation effects on livestock, including whole-body gamma doses.
    • Simulation of ingested fallout radiation exposure on Hereford cattle.
    • Comparison of LD 50/60 levels for gamma exposure across different livestock species (cattle, poultry, swine).

    Main Results:

    • Cattle demonstrated higher sensitivity to ingested fallout radiation compared to other species in simulated exposures.
    • Poultry exhibited a higher LD 50/60 for gamma exposure than mammals, indicating greater resistance.
    • Swine possessed the most effective repair systems, tolerating chronic gamma exposure best. Productivity was temporarily reduced post-exposure, with minor long-term effects.
    • Livestock effectively filter many dietary contaminants, with minimal fission product transfer to humans, except for iodine isotopes in milk.

    Conclusions:

    • Farm livestock exhibit considerable resilience to ionizing radiation, with significant adverse effects only occurring at very high exposure levels.
    • Species-specific differences in radiation sensitivity and repair mechanisms exist among livestock.
    • Protective strategies, such as utilizing stored feed or relocating animals to uncontaminated pastures, are effective in minimizing radiation risks to livestock and the human food chain.

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