INFLUENCE OF A NUCLEAR-FUEL CHEMICAL SEPARATIONS FACILITY ON THE PLUTONIUM CONTENTS OF A WHEAT CROP

Winter wheat was grown in very close proximity to a nuclear-fuel chemical separations facility to determine the environmental behavior and potential health hazard of chronic low-level releases of plutonium (Pu) to the atmosphere from that facility. The majority of the contamination of wheat plants was surfical contamination resulting from direct deposition of recently released Pu-bearing particles onto plant surfaces and resuspension of Pu from soil. Internal contamination resulting from root uptake of Pu was negligible compared to surface contamination. The major pathway was via harvesting activities. Radiation dose is negligible compared to currently received from natural and fall-out sources of radiation.