NERC-LV-539-20 NERC-LV-539-20
1971 ANIMAL INVESTIGATION PROGRAM
ANNUAL REPORT
DJ
Donald D, Smith and Kenneth R. Giles
National Environmental Research Center-Las Vegas
U.S, Environmental Protection Agency
Las Vegas, NV 89114
Published Julv 1975
This research performed under a Memorandum
of Understanding No. AT(26-l)-539
for the
U.S. ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION
-------
NOTICE
This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored
by the United States Government. Neither the United States
nor the United States Atomic Energy Commission, nor any
of their employees, nor any of their contractors, subcon-
tractors, or their employees, makes any warrantly, express
or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility
for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any infor-
mation, apparatus, product or process disclosed, or repre-
sents that its use would not infringe privately-owned rights.
AVAILABLE FROM THE NATIONAL TECHNICAL INFORMATION SERVICE
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
SPRINGFIELD, VA 22161
PRICE: PAPER COPY $5.45 MICROFICHE $2.25
-------
NERC-LV-539-20 NERC-LV-539-20
1971 ANIMAL INVESTIGATION PROGRAM
ANNUAL REPORT
Donald D. Smith and Kenneth R. Giles
National Environmental Research Center-Las Vegas
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Las Vegas, NV 89114
Published July 1975
This research performed under a Memorandum
of Understanding No. AT(26-l)-539
for the
U.S. ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION
-------
Effective June 29, 1975, the National Environmental Research
Center-Las Vegas (NERC-LV) was designated the Environmental
Monitoring and Support Laboratory-Las Vegas (EMSL-LV). This
Laboratory is one of three Environmental Monitoring and
Support Laboratories of the Office of Monitoring and Technical
Support in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office
of Research and Development.
-------
ABSTRACT
This report presents the data obtained from the radioanalysis of tissues
collected from cattle, deer, desert bighorn sheep, and other wildlife that
reside on or near the Nevada Test Site.
Cesium-137 and Ru were the only gamma-emitting radionuclides detected
in the soft tissues of range cattle. Ruthenium-106 was detected only in
the lungs of animals sampled in May.
Strontium-90 levels in the cattle femurs ranged from 2 to 37 pCi/g of ash.
The latter value was found in the bones of a 14-year-old cow that had lived
on the Nevada Test Site her entire life. The bones of the same animal also
239
had the highest level of Pu (.46 pCi/g of ash) that was reported. Analysis
239
of her 8-month-old fetus revealed the presence of detectable levels of Pu
90
which indicates placental transfer of this radionuclide. The average Sr
levels in the bones from deer and desert bighorn sheep were 3.2 and 4.7 pCi/g
of ash, respectively.
Elevated levels of Ru and H were found in the tissues of two mule deer
collected near the drainage ponds that collect runoff waters from mines used
for nuclear testing activities.
Other animals sampled included Golden eagles, feral horses, coyotes, and chukar.
137
The Cs levels in an eagle c<
from one collected during 1971.
137
The Cs levels in an eagle collected during 1964 varied only slightly
No gross or microscopic lesions were detected that could be attributable to
the effects of ionizing radiation.
Other activities of the Animal Investigation Program, including special studies,
investigations, and public information displays, are described.
-------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ABSTRACT i
LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES iii
ACKNOWLEDGMENT iv
INTRODUCTION 1
SAMPLE COLLECTION PROCEDURES AND METHODS 2
ANALYTICAL PROCEDURES AND METHODS 10
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 12
Cattle 12
Mule Deer 16
Hypothetical Dose Estimates 18
Desert Bighorn Sheep 21
Feral Horses 23
Golden Eagles 23
Coyotes 25
Chukar 25
SPECIAL STUDIES AND INVESTIGATIONS 27
Baneberry Studies 27
Environmental Plutonium Levels in Bovine Tissues 27
OTHER ACTIVITIES 2 7
REFERENCES 30
LIST OF APPENDICES 32
DISTRIBUTION
ii
-------
LIST OF TABLES
Table Page
1. Vital Statistics of Nevada Test Site Cattle 4
Sampled During 1971
2. Vital Statistics of Nevada Test Site Deer Sampled 6
During 1971
3. Vital Statistics of Desert Bighorn Sheep Sampled 8
During 1970-1971
4. Summary of Analytical Results of Tissue Samples 13
Collected from Seven Range Cattle the First
Half of 1971 - Data Reported on Wet Weight Unless
Otherwise Noted
5. Summary of Analytical Results of Tissue Samples 14
Collected from Six Range Cattle During the
Second Half of 1971 - Data Reported on Wet Weight
Unless Otherwise Noted
6. Summary of .Analytical Results of Tissue Samples 15
Collected from Three Corralled Dairy Cattle - 1971
7. Summary of Analytical Results of Tissue Samples 19
Collected from Four Mule Deer - 1971 Data Reported
on Wet Weight Unless Otherwise Noted
8. Summary of Peak Radionuclide Concentrations in 20
Edible Tissues from NTS Cattle and Deer
9. Postulated Dose to Man Following Ingestion of Selected 22
Tissues for One Year
10. Comparison of Radioanalysis of Tissues from Eagles 24
Killed in 1964 and 1971
11. Summary of Analytical Data from Tissues Collected 26
From NTS Coyotes - 1971
12. Summary of Plutonium and Strontium Data from Tissues 28
Samples Collected from Northern Nevada Cattle
FIGURE 1. Location of EPA Facilities on the Nevada Test Site 3
90
FIGURE 2. Comparison of Sr in Bone of Bighorn Sheep, 17
Deer and Cattle
iii
-------
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors wish to thank Mr. David E. Bernhardt, Chief of Artificial
Radioactivity Section, Office ot Radiation Programs, Las Vegas Facility,
Las Vegas, Nevada, who prepared the dose estimates presented in this
report.
-------
INTRODUCTION
The history and evolution of the Animal Investigation program of the NERC-LV,
(1 2 3)
EPA, from its origin in 1957 have been described in previous reports. ' '
The basic objectives of the Animal Investigation Program during 1971 were:
1. the determination of tissue concentrations of fresh and/or aged
fission and activation products in biological samples obtained
from cattle grazing on the Nevada Test Site and from those graz-
ing off-site areas, when indicated,
2. the development and conduction of wildlife studies on and near
the Nevada Test Site in cooperation with state and federal wildlife
agencies in order to assess the radionuclide burden in tissues
collected from various edible wildlife species,
3. the gross and microscopic examination of tissues collected from
these domestic and wild animals for the detection of pathological
changes, possibly due to the tissue concentrations of the
radionuclides,
4. the maintenance of veterinary relations with the off-site popula-
tion, and
5. the investigation of alleged damage to domestic animals resulting
from the activities of the Nevada Operations Office of the Atomic
Energy Commission.
The progress in achieving these objectives and summaries of the data collected
during 1971 are presented in this report.
-------
SAMPLE COLLECTION PROCEDURES AND METHODS
Nevada Test Site animals sampled during 1971 included beet cattle, dairy
cattle, mule deer, feral horses, chukar, coyotes, and Golden eagles, uesert
bighorn sheep from areas adjacent to the Nevada Test Site were also sampled.
Figure 1 shows the location of the EPA's Experimental Farm and grazing areas
on the Nevada Test Site.
After death each animal was necropsied and gross pathological conditions
noted. If advanced post mortem changes had not occurred, the adrenals, eyes,
heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, muscle, spleen, thyroid, and gonads were sampled
and prepared for histopathological evaluation. Tissues collected for radio-
analysis included rumen or stomach contents, liver, lung, muscle, thyroid,
blood or urine, kidney, fetus (if present), and bone. Rumen contents from
mule deer were collected for botanical analysis.
Thirteen animals from the Nevada Test Site beef herd were sampled during
the year. Twelve of these were sacrificed and one died of natural causes.
Also sampled were three dairy cattle from the Area 15 farm, two of which
died from natural causes. The vital statistics of all Nevada Test Site
cattle sampled during 1971 are presented in Table 1. Unless otherwise noted,
each beef animal spent its entire life grazing on the Area 18 range of the
Nevada Test Site (see Figure 1). The management of the beef herd and soil
and range surveys of the grazing area have been published previously. ' '
Tissue samples were collected from four Nevada Test Site mule deer during
1971. (See Table 2 for vital statistics.) Two of the deer were collected
by hunting and two were collected after being struck by motor vehicles.
Through the cooperation of state and federal wildlife officials, bone and/or
tissue samples were collected from desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis
nelsoni). Most of the animals sampled were collected during the hunt held
each winter in the mountains of the Desert National Wildlife Range which
lies immediately southeast of the Nevada Test Site. Seven mature animals
were collected during the 1970 hunt and 12 during the 1971 hunt. Three
-------
_J
EXPERIMENTAL FARM
CAPTAIN JAC
/"^SPRINGS
G TUNNEL
Stockade Wash Rd.
BUFFER ZONE
Nuclear Rocket Development
Station
Lathrop Wells
Figure 1. Location of EPA Facilities on the Nevada Test Site
3
-------
Table 1. Vital Statistics of Nevada Test Site Cattle Sampled During 1971
Animal Date
No. Sampled Breed
Sex Age(yr) Wt (kg)
Remarks
AHU-11
2-NTS
3-NTS
4-NTS
5-NTS
6-NTS
7-NTS
8-NTS
5/19 Holstein
5/20 Hereford
5/20 Hereford
5/20 Hereford
5/20 Hereford
5/20 Hereford
6/16 Hereford
6/16 Hereford
AHU-132 7/8 Holstein
AHU-48 8/24 Holstein
9-NTS 10/7 Hereford
10-NTS 10/7 Hereford
M
M
F
M
F
M
M
M
11
2
3
14
1
6
0.25
3
3
500 Sacrificed to cull from
herd as in poor condi-
tion and extremely lame.
Maintained in dairy
corrals, Area 15 farm.
416 Sacrificed. Pregnant
with eight-month fetus.
352 Sacrificed.
450 Sacrificed.
500 Sacrificed. One of orig-
inal herd. Pregnant with
eight-month fetus.
260 Sacrificed.
280 Died from advanced
squamous cell carcinoma
of eye. Extremely poor
condition.
25 Sacrificed as calf of
7-NTS. In poor condition.
425 Died from traumatic
gastritis following a
lingering illness. Main-
tained in dairy corrals,
Area 15 farm.
727 Died from gangrenous mas-
titis. Maintained in dairy
corrals, Area 15 farm.
514 Sacrificed.
448 Sacrificed.
-------
Table 1. Vital Statistics of Nevada Test Site Cattle Sampled During 1971
(Continued)
Animal Date
No. Sampled Breed
Sex Age(yr) Wt (kg)
Remarks
11-NTS
10/7 Hereford
12-NTS
13-NTS
14-NTS
10/7 Hereford
10/7 Hereford
10/7 Hereford
F
F
12+ 337 Sacrificed. One of the
original cows in herd.
Ranged Area 18 last
seven years. Pregnant
with two-month fetus.
3 270 Sacrificed. Pregnant
with one and one-half-
month fetus.
0.5 160 Sacrificed.
0.5 120 Sacrificed.
-------
Table 2. Vital Statistics of Nevada Test Site Deer Sampled During 1971
Animal Estimated Estimated Date
No. Sex Age(yr) Wt. (kg) Collection Remarks
1 M 1.5 70 April 6 Collected in Area 12,
1-1/2 miles northwest
of First Aid Station on
Rainier Mesa.
2 F 4.0 65 July 13 Road kill, Area 12, one
mile east of Stockade
Wash Road and Pahute
Mesa Road.
3 M 5.0 85 August 16 Road kill, Area 20, on
Pahute Mesa Road near
U-20-h.
4 M 1.5 70 November Collected in Area 18
10 between Well 8 and
Pahute CP.
-------
animals that died from natural causes were also sampled during 1971. The vital
statistics of these sheep are presented in Table 3.
An estimated 15 - 30 feral horses range the mountain areas of Areas 12, 2, 17,
16, and 30 of the Nevada Test Site. The herd is not routinely sampled, but
samples were collected from two animals that died of natural causes during 1971.
Three Golden eagles were sampled during 1971. Two of these were accident
victims, (electrocution and motor vehicle collision), and the third died of
unknown causes during 1964. Officials of the Desert National Wildlife Range
preserved the latter eagle by freezing until it was submitted for analysis.
Two coyotes and one chukar were sampled during 1971.
-------
Table 3. Vital Statistics of Desert Bighorn Sheep Sampled During 1970-1971
Animal
No. Sex
4-70 M
5-70 M
6-70 M
7-70 M
8-70 M
9-70 M
10-70 M
1-71 F
2-71 M
3-71 M
4-71 M
Estimated Estimated
Age(yr) Wt (kg)
7 75
4 68
8 80
8 85
6 90
4 90
Unk Unk
2 mos 15
1 mos 10
9 85
10 80
Date
Collected
11/22/70
11/28/70
11/25/70
11/25/70
11/25/70
11/25/70
12/24/70
02/05/71
06/12/71
11/25/71
11/29/71
Samples
Collected
Hock
Lung
Hock
Lung
Hock
Lung
Lung
Hock
Lung
Hock
Lung
Hock
Lung
Hock
Muscle
Thyroid
Hock
Liver
Muscle
Hock
Kidney
Lung
Hock
Kidney
Lung
Remarks
Hunter kill in Yellow
Jacket Canyon, Unit
27-B-l, Desert National
Wildlife Range.
Hunter kill two miles
northwest of White Rock
Spring, Desert National
Wildlife Range.
Hunter kill at Warm
Springs on Desert
National Wildlife Range.
Hunter kill four miles
southeast of Keyhole.
Hunter kill at Lamb
Spring, Desert National
Wildlife Range.
Hunter kill at White
Rock Spring, Desert
National Wildlife Range.
Hunter kill, Indian Canyon
Reservior, Unit 27-A-2,
Desert National Wild-
life Range.
Captive lamb, Corn Creek,
Desert National Wildlife
Range. Died of pneumonia.
Captive lamb, Corn Creek,
Desert National Wildlife
Range. Died of pneumonia.
Hunter kill in Peek-A-Boo
Canyon of Desert National
Wildlife Range, Unit 27-B-:
Hunter kill on Lone Mt.
in El Dorado Canyon.
-------
Table 3. Vital Statistics of Desert Bighorn Sheep Sampled During 1970-1971
(continued)
Animal
No. Sex
5-71 M
6-71 M
7-71 M
8-71 M
9-71 M
10-71 M
11-71 M
12-71 M
13-71 M
14-71 M
Estimated Estimated
Age(yr) Wt (kg)
7 Unk
7 80
11 90
10 75
11 90
Unk Unk
Unk Unk
8 65
6 65
Unk Unk
Date
Collected
11/21/71
11/27/71
11/26/71
11/26/71
12/05/71
11/30/71
Unk
12/11/71
12/11/71
12/04/71
Samples
Collected
Lung
Hock
Kidney
Lung
Hock
Lung
Hock
Kidney
Liver
Hock
Kidney
Lung
Hock
Kidney
Lung
Hock
Kidney
Lung
Hock
Kidney
Lung
Hock
Kidney
Lung
Hock
Kidney
Lung
Remarks
Hunter kill two- and
one-half miles north of
Horse Spring, Mormon
Ridge .
Hunter kill south end
of Rag Mt. in Unit 27-B-l
Desert National Wildlife
Range .
Hunter kill two miles
east of Quail Spring,
Desert National Wildlife
Range .
Hunter kill, Unit 27-B-3,
Desert National Wildlife
Range .
Hunter kill, Unit 27-B-2,
Desert National Wildlife
Range.
Hunter kill in Muddy Mts.
Hunter kill in Echo Wash
of Unit 27-D-2.
Hunter kill in Muddy Mts.
Hunter kill, Dead Horse
Trail, North Central
portion of Sheep Range.
Hunter kill in Highland
Range .
15-71 M
Unk
Unk 06/71
Hock Aged ram found dead in
Chocolate Mts. in
California.
-------
ANALYTICAL PROCEDURES AND METHODS
Samples of soft tissue and rumen contents were quantitatively analyzed by
gamma spectroscopy. Urine and/or blood were analyzed for tritium. Bone was
89 90 239
analyzed for Sr, Sr, and Pu. Selected sott tissues were also analyzed
239
for Pu content.
The soft tissues of sufficient volume and rumen contents were prepared for
gamma analysis by grinding and placing in 1000-ml polyethylene Marinelli beakers.
Those of smaller volume, i.e., thyroid, kidneys, etc., were prepared for analysis
by macerating in a blender and were placed in an agar suspension in a 400-ml
container. The samples were counted for lOu minutes on a 4-inch by 4-inch Nal(Tl)
crystal connected to a 400-channel pulse-height analyzer calibrated at 10
keV/channel.
89 90 239
Tissues for Sr, Sr, and Pu were prepared by low temperature ashing.
(8 9)
The plutonium was analyzed by alpha spectroscopy. ' Other radionuclide
analytical procedures used at the National Environmental Research Center-LV
were described previously.
All data are reported at the 95% contidence level and are corrected to time of
collection. The minimum detectable activities for each radionuclide are listed
in Appendix I and are expressed in the data tables of this report as less than
a certain level of activity present in the total sample.
Tissue and lesion samples collected for histopathologic examination were first
fixed in a 10% formalin solution. They were then dehydrated with alcohol, and
embedded in paraffin prior to sectioning with a microtome. A five-micron
section was placed on a glass slide and stained with hemotoxin and eosin. The
slides were then delivered to a pathologist for interpretation (see Appendix II).
A 200- to 300-g sample of each mule deer's rumen contents was collected for
botanical analysis. These samples were frozen until analyzed. Samples were
prepared for botanical analysis by washing and screening a random aliquot,
10
-------
which was then examined under a binocular microscope. Individual species of
browse, forbs, and grasses were identified by procedures described else-
where. After the species in the sample were identified, a visual estimate
was made of the fraction of each species in the sample (see Appendix III).
11
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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
CATTLE
The analytical results from tissues collected from Nevada Test Site beef animals
during the spring of 1971 are presented in Table 4, the data from beef animals
sampled during the fall are presented in Table 5, and data from the tissues of
corralled dairy animals are presented in Table 6.
The rumen contents collected from the range animals showed the greatest variety
of gamma-emitting radionuclides, with Zr, Ru, Ce, and Cs frequently
present. Of these radionuclides, only Cs and Ru were found in the sott
tissues with Ru detected only in the lungs of animals sacrificed in May.
Iodine-131 was not detected in any cattle sampled during 1971. However, the
short-lived radionuclides Ru and Ce were found in the rumen contents of
a beef cow that died in June.
Rhodium-102 was reported in the liver, muscle, and kidney of a Holstein cow
that died from gangrenous mastitis in August. This radionuclide has not pre-
viously been reported found in the tissues of Nevada Test Site cattle.
Elevated tritium levels (6.5 nCi/1 of blood) were reported from two Hereford
steers sacrificed in October. However, this may be explained in that both of
these animals were utilized in an experiment designed to determine the biological
half-life of tritium in lactating and nonlactating cattle. Fifty mCi of tritium
was injected intravenously into each animal on March 8.
Plutonium-239 was detected in all rumen contents collected from the animals
grazing in Area 18. This radionuclide was also present in most bone, lung, and
liver samples, including those from the Area 15 corralled dairy cows. The
levels in the Area 18 beef animals were expected, as they grazed in areas of
known plutonium contamination. The levels found in the dairy cows indicate
that either the Area 15 farm was contaminated from previous testing activities,
i.e., Sedan, Baneberry, or the cows were exposed in the past, i.e., Cow No. AHU-11
was stanchioned three miles downwind from the Palanquin Test in 1965.
12
-------
Isotope
K
R/kR
93Zr
pCi/kf>
106n
Ru
pci/ks
131i
pCi/R
137c,
pCi/kK
144Ce
pCi/kR
141Ce
pCi/kg
103D
Ru
PCI/kg
3H
nCi/1
239_
Pu
pCi/kg
239D
Pu
pCi/g
ash
238,,
Pu
pCi/kg
238n
Pu
PCi/g
ash
89Sr
pCi/kg
89Sr
Pd/g
ash
9°Sr
PCi/kg
9°Sr
PCi/g
ash
Rumen
Content
0.7(7)
0.4-2.8
80(7)
30-200
420(5)
370-460
<25
<25
410(4)
370-450
*230
7 -NTS
*140
7-NTS
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Liver
1.3(7)
0.8-2.6
<25
<250
<25
30(3)
30-90
<250
<125
<25
NA
1.0(6)
0. j-2.4
0.05(6)
0.02-0. 1
<0.3
<0.02
NA
NA
NA
NA
Lung
1.4(7)
0.8-3.0
<25
530(5)
330-620
<25
<25
520(1)
<125
<25
NA
14.6(7)
0.8-75.0
0.5(7)
0.07-1.6
18.8(2)
0.7-27.0
0.18(2)
0.06-0.3
NA
NA
NA
NA
Muscle
1.5(7)
0.3-2.7
<25
<250
<25
90(6)
30-120
<250
<125
<25
NA
<0.1
<0.01
<0 . 3
<0.02
NA
NA
NA
NA
Thyroid
<0.4
<25
<250
<25
<25
<250
<125
<25
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Kidney_
2.3(6)
1.3-5.4
<25
<250
<25
<25
<250
<125
<25
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Bone
Femur
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
3.3(6)
0.3-7.0
0.008(5)
0.002-
0.02
<0.6
<0.002
<1200.0
<5.0
1400(7)
300-2600
9.1(7)
2.0-37.0
Blood
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
1.2(6)
0.5-2.0
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Tracheo- Bronchial
Lymph
Nodes
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
*o.a|o.3
**650-300
*0. 07^0. 02
**46. 0^2.0
'''15.0-2.0
5-NTS
* 1.1*0.1
5-NTS
NA
NA
NA
NA
Fetal
Muse le
2.7(2)
2.6-2.8
NA
<250
<25
25
<250
<12i
<25
NA
''0.3T0.2
5-NTS
''0.02^0.01
5-NTS
.0.3
<0.3
NA
NA
NA
NA
Fetal
Bone
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
<0.01
<0.001
<0.3
.'0.002
<500.0
o.O
215(2)
200-230
1.5(2)
1.0-2.0
Table 4. Summary of Analytical Results of Tissue Samples Collected from Seven Range Cattle the First
Half of 1971 - Data Reported on Wet Weight Unless Otherwise Noted
-------
Isotope
K
95Zr
pCi/ka
106Ru
pCi/ka
pCi/s
137Cs
pCi/kg
144Ce
pCi/ks
3H
nCi/1
239,,
Pu
pCi/kg
238D
Pu
PCi/kg
239D
Pu
pCi/g
ash
238,,
Pu
pCi/g
ash
89Sr
pCi/kg
9°Sr
PCi/kg
89Sr
PCi/g
ash
9°Sr
pCi/g
ash
Rumen
Content
2.3(6)
1.8-2.7
45(6)
30-60
440(6)
270-jSO
<25
70(6)
40-90
580(6)
470-680
NA
4.5(6)
2.9-9.0
<0.6
0.2(6)
0.1-0.4
^0.03
NA
NA
NA
NA
Liver
2.6(6)
1.7-3.2
<25
<250
<25
40(6)
25-60
<250
NA
0.37(4)
0.3-0.4
<0.3
0.04(4)
0.03-
0.06
<0 . 03
NA
NA
NA
NA
Lung
2.3(6)
1.2-3.1
^25
<2W
<25
90(6)
25-190
<250
NA
2.6(6)
0.9-7.7
*0 .4+0.3
12-NTS
0.2(6)
0.05-
0.8
0.03
12-NTS
NA
NA
NA
NA
Muscle
3.5(6)
2.8-4.1
<25
<250
<25
40(6)
30-60
<250
NA
*0. 2+0.1
9 -NTS
*1.9+0.5
10-NTS
-'-0.03+0.02
9-NTS
0.06
10-NTS
NA
NA
NA
NA
Thyroid
NA
<25
;250
<25
<25
<250
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Kidney
1.8(6)
1.3-2.0
<25
<250
<25
<25
<250
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Bone
Femur
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
1.3(3)
0.5-3.0
14-NTS
0.006(3)
0.002-
0.01
0.004
14-NTS
1500(2)
1500
1700(6)
460-5700
7.5(2)
5-10
6.0(6)
3-19
Blood
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
6.5(2)
6.3-6.7
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Tracheo -Bronchial
Lymph
Nodes
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
17(4)
3.0-42.0
<0 1
0.9(4)
0.2-25
<0. 1
NA
NA
NA
NA
Fetal
Muscle
1.2(1)
<25
'250
'-'25
<25
<250
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Table 5. Summary of Analytical Results of Tissue Samples Collected from Six Range Cattle During the
Second Half of 1971 - Data Reported on Wet Weight Unless Otherwise Noted
-------
Isotope
K
9:>Zr
PCi/kK
106
Ru
pCi/ks
pCi/x
pCi/ks
Ce
pCi/kg
102 ,
Rh
riCi/kg
3H
nCi/1
239PU
pCi/kf;
238
Pu
239D
Pn
PCI/8
ash
238,,
Pn
PCi/g
ash
89Sr
9°Sr
pCl/kg
S9Sr
9°Sr
I'Ci/g
ash
Content
'0 . 8
AHL'-ll
*60
AMU- 11
*870
AHU-11
'25
---25
*580
AHU-11
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Liver
3.4(3)
1.3-6.4
2j
- 250
-25
- 25
250
''130
A1IU-48
NA
1.6(3)
0.6-3.0
0.3
0.06(3)
0.03-0. 1
0.03
NA
NA
NA
Lungs Muscle
2.3(3) 2.8(3)
1.1-3.9 1.4-3.9
<25 25
250 .250
25 25
.25 -25
<250 -250
'.-560
A1IU-48
NA NA
10.5(3)
0.2-31 -0.1
0.3 .0.3
1.08(3)
0.02-3.2 -'0.009
0.03 -0.02
NA NA
NA NA
NA NA
NA NA
Thyroid Kidney
2.2 1/11
<0.3 Only
23 <25
-250 -250
25 23
-25 <25
'2 ;>0 --250
''ISO
AHU-48
NA NA
NA NA
NA NA
NA NA
NA NA
NA NA
NA NA
NA NA
NA NA
Bone
Femur
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
0.7(3)
0.6-0.9
;o.7
0.003(3)
0.002-
0.003
-.0.002
-1000
850(3)
740-950
3.0
3.3(3)
3-4
Blood
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
2.3(2)
1.4-3.5
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Tracheo- Bronchial
Lymph
Nodes
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
'2.4+0.7
AMU- 1 1
0.3
-''0. 17+
0.05
AHU-11
-0.04
NA
NA
NA
NA
Table 6. Summary of Analytical Results of Tissue Samples Collected from Three Corralled Dairy
Cattle - 1971
-------
239
Detectable levels of Pu were found in the muscle of a fetus from NTS No. 5
(an aged Hereford cow). This finding lends credibility to the postulated
placental transfer of plutonium noted in animals sampled following the
Baneberry Event.
Plutonium-239 levels detected in the tracheo-bronchial lymph nodes from cattle
sampled in May ranged from 0.07 pCi/g of ash (NTS-4) to 46 pCi/g of ash (NTS-i>) .
This wide variance may be in part due to the small sample size which could be
easily affected by the incorporation into the sample of small amounts of
extraneous tissue, i.e., fat, that might contain a different concentration of
the radionuclide.
90
The Sr levels in femurs from the grazing animals averaged 7.7 pCi/g of ash
which was somewhat elevated from the 1970 average level of 4.1 pCi/g of ash
(see Figure 2). The femurs of NTS 5 and 11, ages 14 and 12+, contained levels
of 37 and 19 pCi/g of ash, respectively. If these two values are eliminated,
the average was 4 pCi/g of ash.
Cows NTS 5 and 11 were part of the original NTS herd that was started in 1957
and have been exposed to test site activities for a greater number of years than
any other cow sacrificed during 1971. At time of sacrifice, both animals were
in good condition and were pregnant. Both reproduced normally each year during
their lifetime. Significant gross or microscopic pathology was not observed.
90
Radionuclide burdens in their tissues, with the exception of Sr in both
239
animals and Pu in NTS-5, were of the same magnitude observed in the younger
animals sampled.
Mule Deer
In general, the analytical results (Table 7) observed in tissues from mule deer
were similar to those reported for the range cattle (Tables 4 - 5). However,
certain tissues from mule deer 1 and 2 contained elevated levels of Ru and H,
i.e., the rumen contents, muscle, and lungs from No. 1, contained 33 nCi/kg,
300 pCi/kg, and 600 pCi/kg, respectively, of Ru and the same tissues col-
lected from No. 2 contained 1400 pCi/kg, 500 pCi/kg, and 400 pCi/kg. The tritium
levels in the blood from No. 1 was 41 nCi/1 and from No. 2 it was 6500 pCi/1.
16
-------
FROM 1964 ON, THE NUMBER OF BONE SAMPLES FROM EACH SPECIES IS LISTED AT THE TOP OF EACH COLUMN.
SO-
ar 25-
co
LU
520-
co
0)
o
£ 15"
e/J
_j
UJ
2; 10-
C/J
S 5-
n
I = iiiniiiiiiiiiiii BIGHORN SHEEP
= «w!«w»DEER
~
~
:
-
-
-
-
""
I -
< "
~ 5 =^z 15= 1 = 1 E lal l§=
-J Hi I^E i i IE Hi I^E
3
;
-
n
z
^
;
J
-
~
6 -
^E
^E
^
1
IP
w
12
^
~
-
*
^
*
20 =
1 1 1 II l 1 1 1 l 1 l 1 1 1 1 l 1 l III
/wwwwwwwvwJ
H
MM
S1*1 .^
II
mill
»=i 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 4
o-wm^MMixyxxJ
3iimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiimiijiiiiiiiiiiiii|
CATTLE
23
| i
J! s^5 H
13
1 * "
H56 YH7 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 S69 1970 B71
90
Figure 2. Comparison of Sr in Bone of Bighorn Sheep, Deer, and Cattle.
-------
These elevated levels apparently resulted from the animals drinking from ponds
that collect the drainage waters from G tunnel in Area 12. A water sample
collected from the ponds on December 13, 1970, contained 160 nCi/1 and 150 yCi/1
of Ru and H, respectively. Another water sample collected on March 17, 1971,
contained 2.8 nCi/i of 106Ru and 15 uCi/1 of 3H.
The results of the botanical analyses of the rumen contents of three of the
deer are presented in Appendix III. These data reflect the preferred diet
of deer for the vegetation available within their range at the season of
collection. For example, it has been observed during the last two years that
Purshia tridentata (bitterbrush) species and Artemisia tridentata (big sage-
brush) were the predominant dietary components in the rumen contents of the
deer collected from the mesa areas of the NTS during the late spring and
summer and early fall while Cowania mexicana (Cliffrose var.) was preferred
during the winter months.
Hypothetical Dose Estimates
Although meat from animals living on the Nevada Test Site is not available for
consumption by the general public, the dose to a standard man based on postulated
consumption of the meat, can be calculated. The dose estimates are not presented
as an implication of potential doses, but rather to place the reported radio-
nuclide concentrations in perspective. The dose estimates are based on the
techniques and parameters of the International Commission on Radiological
(12 13)
Protection (ICRP). ' The maximum observed concentrations of the radio-
nuclides in edible tissues of the cattle and deer sampled (summarized in Table b),
and the postulated consumption of 500 grams (about one pound) of the meat each
day for a year. Table 9 indicates the doses resulting from these hypotheses.
The doses are the total dose based on an intake of one year.
The ICRP and the AEC present different dose criteria for various parts
of the body, based on estimates of relative radiosensitivity. The National
Council on Radiation Protection and Measurement (NCRP) recognizes this
philosophy, but for the general population recommends simplifying the guides,
and using the minimum guide (0.5 rem per year for the whole body) for all body
organs. The NCRP emphasizes that this is a simplifying administrative decision,
versus a reduction of the guides based on new technical information.
18
-------
Isotope
K
fi/k8
95Zr
pCi/ke
106D
Ru
pCi/kg
U1I
pCi/kg
«7Ct
pCi/kfi
144Ce
pCi/kf?
3H
nCl/1
239D
Pu
pCi/kg
239PU
Pd/g
ash
238Fu
PCi/kg
23 8D
Pu
pCi/g
ash
89Sr
pCi/kg
89Sr
PCi/g
ash
9°Sr
pCi/ks
90Sr
PCi/g
ash
Rumen
Contents
1.8(4)
0.7-2.5
180(3)
50-300
9000(4)
500-1300
<25
175(2)
50-300
950(3)
600-1400
NA
5.1(2)
2,3-8.0
0.3(2)
0.1-0.5
*1. 2*6.0
#1
*0 . 07*0 . 03
91
NA
NA
NA
NA
Liver
3.1(4)
2.1-4.0
<25
<250
<25
35(2)
30-40
*300(1)
#3
NA
<0.1
<0.1
<0.3
<0.02
NA
NA
NA
NA
Lung
2.3(4)
1.9-2.7
<25
500(2)
400-600
<25
*60(1)
#4 nply
*300(1)
#2
NA
0.9(3)
0.3-2.2
0.05(3)
0.03-0.11
<0.3
<0.02
NA
NA
NA
NA
Muscle
2.9^
1.6-2.7
<25
400(2)
300-500
<25
40(3)
30-50
<250
NA
<0.1
<0.01
<0.3
<0.02
NA
NA
NA
NA
Thyroid
<0.4
<25
<250
<25
<25
<250
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Kidney
3.2(4)
1.7-4.4
<25
<250
<25
700(3)
600-900
<250
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Blood
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
12.4(4)
0.8-41.0
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Bone
Hock
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
2.3(3)
1.2-4.0
0.007(3)
0.003-0. 12
<0.8
<0.003
<600.0
<3.0
1000(4)
700-1500
3.2(4)
2.0-4.0
Table 7. Summary of Analytical Results of Tissue Samples Collected from Four Mule Deer - 1971
Data Reported on Wet Weight Unless Otherwise Noted
-------
Table 8. Summary of Peak Radionuclide Concentration in Edible Tissues from NTS Cattle and Deer.
Nuclide
106_
Ru
pCi/kg
Cs
PCi/kg
pCi/kg
239D
Pu
pCi/kg
238^
Pu
pCi/kg
3H
nCi/1
RANGE CATTLE CORRALLED COWS DEER
Early 71 Late 71
Liver
90
2.4
Mu s c 1 e
120
Blood
2
Liver
60
0.4
Muscle
60
0.2+0.1
1.9+0.5
Blood
6.7
Liver
3.0
Blood
3.5
Liver
40
300
Muscle
500
50
Blood
41
to
o
-------
The doses in Table 9 are for several ditferent organs, and thus it is easiest
to compare them to the single NCRP guide of 0.5 rem/per year. The highest
postulated dose (Table 9) is from Ru in deer meat, less than 3% of the
0.5 rem yearly dose guide.
Desert Bighorn Sheep
Seven lung samples and six hock samples were collected from desert bighorn
sheep killed during the 1970 hunt. The bone samples were analyzed for plutonium
and strontium content and the lung samples for plutonium only.
239
Two lung samples contained detectable levels of Pu. The range was
0.07-0.2 pCi/kg of ash (1.0-2.9 pCi/kg wet weight) and the average was
0.13 pCi/kg of ash (1.9 pCi/kg of wet weight).
239
Detectable levels of Pu in the four positive bone samples ranged from
0.003-0.006 pCi/g ash (0.9 to 2.0 pCi/kg wet weight) and averaged 0.005 pCi/g
90
of ash (1.3 pCi/kg wet weight). Detectable levels of Sr in five of six bom
samples ranged from 2.2-6.0 pCi/g of ash (600-21,000 pCi/kg wet weight) and
90
averaged 4.7 pCi/g of ash (1200 pCi/kg wet weight). The average level of Si
in the hocks collected during the 1969 hunt was 5.6 pCi/g of ash/3' '
The fifteen desert bighorn sheep sampled during 1971 provided fourteen hock
bone samples, ten kidney samples, twelve lung samples and one muscle sample.
The kidneys and muscle were analyzed for tritium, the lungs for plutonium, and
the hock bones for plutonium and strontium.
Nine tritium values were reported from the tissues analyzed. The range was
500-700 pCi/1 of body water and averaged 600 pCi/1.
239
Detectable levels of Pu were found in six lung samples. The range was
0.02-0.12 pCi/g of ash (0.5-2.7 of pCi/kg wet weight) and averaged 0.06 pCi/g
of ash (1.2 pCi/kg wet weight).
21
-------
Table 9. Postulated Dose to Man Following Ingestion of Selected Tissues for One Year
to
to
Nuclide
106Ru
144Ce
137Cs
3H
Pu
238,,
Pu
Human Organ for which
Dose is Calculated
Lower large intestine
gastrointestine tract
Lower large intestine
gastrointestine tract
Whole body
Body water
Bone
Bone
Animal Tissue Containing
Maximum Concentration
Deer,
Deer,
Range
Deer,
muscle
liver
cattle, muscle
blood
Corralled cows, liver
Range
cattle, muscle
pCi
kg
500
300
120
41,000
3
1.9
rem/pCi
Ingested
1.4
1.8
6.1
9.8
8.54
7.49
X
X
X
X
X
X
io-7
10- 7
10- 8
lo"11
10- 7
10- 7
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
0.
rem
013
010
0013
00073
00047
00026
Percent
of 0.5 rem
2.
2.
0.
0.
0.
0.
6
0
27
15
094
052
a 238 239 137
The doses from Pu, Pu, and to a smaller extent Cs should not be delivered within the one-year
ingestion time. But for simplification, the one-year guide has been used.
Assumed concentration in edible tissue would be similar.
-------
90
Twelve Sr values were reported from the hock samples. The range was
1.0-12.0 pCi/g of ash (700-5000 pCI/kg wet weight) and averaged 5.8 pCi/g of
89
ash (1800 pCi/kg). Two Sr values were reported. The hock sample for
No. 7-71 contained 4.0-2.0 pCi/g of ash (1200-600 pCi/kg wet weight) and that
from No. 11-71 was 5.9-3.8 pCi/g ash (1900-1300 pCi/g wet weight). Four hock
239
samples (Nos. 6, 7, 8, and 13) contained detectable levels of Pu which
ranged from 0.003-0.007 pCi/g of ash (0.7-1.9 pCi/kg wet weight) and averaged
0.004 pCi/g of ash (0.9 pCi/kg wet weight). Plutonium-238 was not reported
in any of the hock samples.
Feral Horses
On January 14, 1971, skeletal remains of an aged horse were found at Captain
90
Jack Springs of Area 12. Analysis of the bone from this horse revealed Sr
i i o OQ
contents of 4.0-0.9 pCi/g of ash (720-170 pCi/kg wet weight), Pu levels of
+ + 239
0.006-0.003 pCi/g of ash (4.0-2.0 pCi/kg wet weight) and Pu levels of
0.018-0.004 pCi/g of ash (10.0-2.0 pCi/kg wet weight). Detectable levels of
89
Sr were not reported.
On October 16, 1971, the body of an aged female horse in advanced stages of
decomposition was found on Holmes Road in Area 12. Bone and muscle samples were
collected. The only gamma-emitting radionuclide detected in the muscle was
Cs (80 pCi/kg). The tritium content of the body water was 15.0^0.6 nCi/1.
Strontium-89 levels in the bone were 6.0^5.0 pCi/g of ash (1400-1200 pCi/kg).
Strontium-90 levels were 11.0-2.0 pCi/g of ash (2400-400 pCi/kg wet weight)
239 + +
and Pu levels were 0.006-0.002 pCi/g of ash (1.4-0.5 pCi/kg wet weight).
238
Detectable levels of Pu were not reported.
Golden Eagles
On 1 August 1971, the decomposed body of a Golden eagle was found beneath a
power line in Area 6. The apparent cause of death was electrocution. The
advanced decomposition of the carcass prevented the sampling of any tissues
other than bone. The analysis revealed 0.013-0.003 pCi/g of ash (2.1-0.5 pCi/kg
239 238
wet weight) of Pu, <0.003 pCi/g of ash of Pu, and <2.0 pCi/g of ash for
89C . 90,,
Sr and Sr.
23
-------
Table 10. Comparison of Radioanalysis of Tissues from Eagles Killed in
1964 and 1971
89Sr
* pCi/g ash
pCi/kg
Bone 1964 <5
Eagle <500
Bone 1971 <2
Eagle <200
Muscle 1964
Eagle
Muscle 1971
Eagle
Liver 1964
Eagle
Liver 1971
Eagle
Lung 1964
Eagle
Lung 1971
Eagle
Stomach Con-
tents 1964
Eagle
Stomach Con-
tents 1971
Eagle
Intestines
and Contents
1964 Eagle
Intestines
and Contents
1971 Eagle
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
90 238^ 239
Sr Pu Pu
pCi/g ash pCi/g ash pCi/g ash H
pCi/kg pCi/kg pCi/kg pCi/kg
0.8*0.7
90-70
<0.6
<700
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
<0.003
<0.1
0.004*0.002
0.4-0.2 NA
0.003*0.003 0.015T0.003
0.4*0.3 1.7*0.3
<0.02
<0.3
<0.03
<0.4
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
0.03*0.02
0.3*0.2
0.02t0.02
0.2*0.2
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
1000*
300
<300
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
137Cs
pCi/kg
NA
NA
<300
<200
3500
4100
1800
1900
3300
1700
700
2300
NA = Hot analyzed.
Each radionuclide detected in a tissue was reported in pCi/g ash (Top Value)
and in pCi/kg of wet tissue (Bottom Value).
24
-------
On July 1, 1971, a Golden eagle was killed by a motor vehicle in Area 27. The
carcass of another Golden eagle was found in a freezer at the Corn Creek
station of the Desert National Wildlife Range. Little is known about this
eagle except that it was killed on the Desert National Wildlife Range early in
1964. Table 10 presents the data of these two birds. It is interesting to
137
note that the reported Cs values are the same magnitude despite the seven-
year interval between the deaths of these two eagles. Cesium-137 was the only
gamma-emitting radionuclide detected in the soft tissues.
Coyotes
Another Nevada Test Site predator that is occasionally sampled is the coyote.
During 1971 two coyotes were collected, coyote No. 1 was an immature male
collected one-half mile west of CP 30 on July 27, and coyote No. 2 was a
mature female collected near the Area 18 air strip on October 6.
Cesium-137 was the only gamma-emitting radionuclide detected in the soft
tissues of these animals. The analytical results of the coyote tissues are
presented in Table 10.
The pathologist that examined tissue sections from coyote Wo. 1 reported a
small pulmonary granuloma that resulted from a reaction to a foreign pigmented
material that was seen throughout the lungs. Similar granulomas were found in
the lungs of the second coyote which were examined by a different pathologist
(see Appendix II). Testicular Hypoplasia was detected in tissues from coyote
No. 1. This is probably due to the immaturity of the animal.
Chukar
One chukar was sampled during 1971. It was collected near Well 8 in Area 18
on November 10, 1971. Gamma-emitting radionuclides were not detected in the
4~ y o
tissue. The tritium level found was 700-300 pCi/1 of body water. The Sr
+ + 239
content of the bones was 3.0-1.0 pCi/g of ash (160-70 pCi/kg), and the Pu
content was 0.05-0.01 pCi/g of ash (3.0-0.8 pCi/kg).
25
-------
Table 11. Summary of Analytical Data From Tissues Collected From NTS
Coyotes - 1971
*
Bone
Coyote
Bone
Coyote
Lung
Coyote
Lung
Coyote
Liver
Coyote
Muscle
Coyote
Muscle
Coyote
Blood
Coyote
Blood
Coyote
#1
#2
#1
#2
#2
#1
#2
#1
#2
89Sr
pCi/g ash
PCi/kg
<3
<600
<3
<700
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
9°Sr
pCi/g ash
PCi/kg
8+1.1
1600+300
7+1
1500+300
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
23 8,,
Pu
pCi/g ash
pCi/kg
<0.004
<0.9
0.016±0.005
4.0+1.0
0.14±0.04
3.0+0.8
0.08±0.04
3.0+1.0
<0.03
NA
<0.04
NA
NA
239^
Pu
pCi/g ash
pCi/kg
0.006+0.003
1 . 3+0 . 6
0.016+0.004
3.6+0.9
1.2±0.09
22.0+2.0
1 . 5*0 . 1
55.ot4.0
0.3t0.06
10.0+2.0
NA
<0.01
<0.3
NA
NA
3H
pCi/1
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
1200+300
800+300
137Cs
pCi/kg
NA
NA
500
<25
200
300
100
NA
NA
NA = Not analyzed.
* Each radionuclide detected in a tissue was recorded in pCi/g of ash
(Top Value) and in pCi/kg of wet tissue (Bottom Value).
26
-------
SPECIAL STUDIES AND INVESTIGATIONS
Baneberry Studies
The Baneberry Event, which was detonated on December 18, 1970, in Area 8 of the
Nevada Test Site, resulted in the accidental release of significant amounts of
radioactivity from the site. The Animal Investigation Program initiated stud-
ies to document the distribution of the released radionuclides within the
tissues of domestic and wild animals that resided within the fallout pattern
on and surrounding the Nevada Test Site. A grazing study, which utilized
rumen-fistulated steers, was also conducted. The analytical data collected
from these studies will be published as a separate report. An investigation
of injury and death in grazing sheep allegedly resulting from the Baneberry
Event was reported previously. Also investigated was alleged radiation
sickness in domestic animals residing on a farmstead near Ursine, Nevada.
Data collected during these investigations indicated that the illnesses were
not related to the Baneberry Event.
Environmental Plutonium Levels in Bovine Tissues
In January of 1971, through the cooperation of the University of Nevada, Reno,
tissue samples were collected from six mature Hereford range cattle that grazed
in the Reno area. These samples were analyzed for plutonium and strontium
content. The data will serve as a baseline for comparison studies with those
levels found in cattle grazing areas of known contamination on or near the
Nevada Test Site. The analytical results are presented in Table 12. Comparison
of these data with that reported from the NTS beef cattle (Tables 4 and b) re-
90
veals that the Sr femur levels are similar and indicates that the source in
239
both cases was world-wide fallout. The Pu bone levels are higher in the NTS
cattle, which indicates a local source for this radionuclide. Indeed, areas of
the Area 18 range contain plutonium debris deposited during the atmospheric
detonations conducted there during the early 1960's.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
During 1971, the objectives and findings of the Animal Investigation Progran
were described to approximately 450 Nevada Test Site visitors. These visitors
27
-------
oo
Animal
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
MEDIAN
RANGE
LUNGS
2J8n 239,,
Pu Pu
fCi/g ash fCi/g ash
fCi/ks** fCi/ks
<1.5 3 * 1.5
<9.9 . 20 t 10
<2 I t 1
<20 10 t 10
<4.5 4.5 t 2.7
<50 50 t 30
4 + 2 4 + 2
40 +20 40 t 20
<4.4 3.3+3.3
<40 30 + 30
<2.9 4.3 . 1.4
<20 30 + 10
<3.95 3.65
<30 30
fCi/ka
<3 <60
<200 <4000
<110 <31
<7200 <2000
<68 <41
<5000 <3000
<61 <27
<2000 <890
<130 56 + 56
<9200 4000 t
4000
<140 <36
<7800 <2000
<89 <38.5
<6100 <2500
<3-<140 <27-56
'200-C9200 <890-4000
LIVER
238PU
ECi/g ash
rci/kg
-3.1
'20
<3.2
<30
<3.5
<40
<6.2
<81
<3.4
<30
<2.9
<20
<3.3
<30
<2.9-
<6.2
<20-<81
239^
Pu
fCl/g a>h
fCi/kR
1.5 + 1.5
10 t 10
5.3 + 3.2
50 + 30
7.8 + 3.5
90 + 40
9.2 t 4.6
120 + 60
9.2 + 3.4
80 + 30
8.6 + 2.9
60 + 20
8.2
70
1.5-9.2
10-120
BONE
89Sr
pCi/g ash
pCi/ks
<1.1
<290
1.2 + 1.1
430 + 400
<2.1
<820
<2.5
<850
<2.1
<710
<1.8
<650
<1.95
<680
-0.27
<70
CO. 25
<90
<0.26
.'100
<0.29
<99
<0.26
<88
<0.28
^100
<0.265
<95
<0 . 25-
<0.29
<70-<100
239D
Pu
fCl/g ash
fCi/kg
<0. 12
<31
0.19 t 0.17
68 + 61
0.77 t 0.26
300 t 100
0.5 + 0.21
170 + 70
0.62 + 0.24
210 t 80
0.83 t 0.28
300 + 100
0.56
190
<0. 12-0.83
<31-300
Remarks
Mature Here-
ford cow
Four-year- olc
Hereford cow
Six-year-old
Hereford cow
Mature Here-
ford cow
Mature Here-
ford cow
Four-year-oh
Hereford cow
Table 12. Summary of Plutonium and Strontium Data from Tissue Samples Collected from Northern
Nevada Cattle
-------
included reporters, students, teachers, industrialists, civic groups, state
officials and foreign officials.
Information on the National Environmental Research Center, Las Vegas, the U. S.
Atomic Energy Commission and the Animal Investigation Program was disseminated
to over 60,000 visitors to an exhibit featuring a fistulated steer which was
displayed at the White Pine and Clark County, Nevada Fairs and the New Mexico
State Fair.
29
-------
REFERENCES
1. Fountain, Edmund L. "Off-Site Animal Investigation Project. Fourth
Annual Report." Nevada Operations Office, U. S. Atomic Energy Com-
mission. Las Vegas, Nevada. (196l).
2. Smith, Donald D. and Kenneth R. Giles. "Animal Investigations Program
1969 Annual Report," SWRHL-102r. Southwestern Radiological Health
Laboratory. Las Vegas, Nevada. (1970).
3. Smith, Donald D. and Kenneth R. Giles. "Animal Investigation Program
1970 Annual Report." NERC-LV-539-16. National Environmental Research
Center-Las Vegas, Nevada. (1974).
4. Smith, Donald D. "Management History of the AEC Beef Herd - 1 June 1964 -
1 June 1969." SWRHL-80r. Southwestern Radiological Health Laboratory,
Las Vegas, Nevada. (1970).
5. Leavitt, V. D. "Soil Survey of Area 18, Nevada Test Site," SWRHL-74r.
Southwestern Radiological Health Laboratory, Las Vegas, Nevada (1970).
6. Brown, Kenneth W. and Benjamin J. Mason. "Range Survey, Area 18, Nevada
Test Site," SWRHL-52. Southwestern Radiological Health Laboratory,
Las Vegas, Nevada. (1968).
7. Smith, Donald D. "Observations of Wildlife and Domestic Animals Exposed
to the Ground Motion Effects of Underground Nuclear Detonations,"
NERC-LV-539-24. National Environmental Research Center-Las Vegas,
Nevada (October 1973).
8. Talvitie, N. A. "Radiochemical Determination of Plutonium in Environ-
mental and Biological Samples by Ion Exchange." Western Environmental
Research Laboratory, Las Vegas, Nevada. Published in Anal. Chem. 43;1827
1830, Nov. 1971.
9. Talvitie, N. A. "Electrodeposition of Actinides for Alpha Spectrometric
Determination." Western Environmental Research Laboratory, Las Vegas,
Nevada. Published in Anal. Chem. 44_:280-283, Feb. 1972.
10. Johns, Frederick B. "Southwestern Radiological Health Laboratory Hand-
book of Radiochemical Analytical Methods." SWRHL-ll. Southwestern
Radiological Health Laboratory, Las Vegas, Nevada. (1970).
11. Smith, T. M., A. L. Lesperance, V. R. Bohman, R. A. Brechbill and
K. W. Brown, "Intake and Digestibility of Forages Grazed by Cattle on
a Southern Nevada Range." Proceedings Western Section Society of
Animal Science, Vol. 19. (1968).
30
-------
12. International Council for Radiation Protection. Permissible Dose for
Internal Radiation, ICRP Report 2. (195y).
13. International Council for Radiation Protection. Evaluation of Radiation
Doses to Body Tissues from Internal Contamination Due to Occupational
Exposure, ICRP Report 10. (1968).
14. Atomic Energy Commission, Standards for Radiation Protection Manual,
Chapter 0524.
15. National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, "Basic
Radiation Protection Criteria," (1971).
16. Smith, Donald D., "Radiation Surveillance of Ruminants On and About the
Nevada Test Site." Desert Bighorn Council 1971 Transactions. Presented
at the 15th Annual Meeting, Santa Fe, New Mexico (1971). Also,
NERC-LV-539-18, National Environmental Research Center-Las Vegas,
Nevada. (1972).
17. Smith, D. D., K. R. Giles, and A. A. Moghissi. "Report of Animal
Investigation Program Activities for the Baneberry Event -
December 18, 1970." (to be published)
18. "The January 1971 Sheep Death Incident Near Garrison, Utah," SWRHL-ll4r.
Western Environmental Research Laboratory. Las Vegas, Nevada. (1971).
31
-------
LIST OF APPENDICES
APPENDIX Page
I. Minimum Detectable Activities For Radionuclide 32
Analyses, Technical Support Laboratories,
National Environmental Research Center-Las
Vegas, Nevada
II. Gross and Microscopic Pathology Found in 34
Necropsied Animals
III. Botanical Analysis of Rumen Contents from 38
Nevada Test Site Mule Deer
32
-------
APPENDIX I. Minimum Detectable Activities For Radionuclide Analyses
Technical Support Laboratory, National Environmental
Research Center-Las Vegas, Nevada
The minimum detectable activities (MDA1s) in terms of total activity per
sample for standard geometries and counting times are based on a combination
of a number of technical experiments and operational experience. By means of
experimentation the MDA has been defined as that activity which produced a
l"1007o deviation at the 9570 confidence level. These values are applicable to
ideal conditions and simple complexes of nuclides. Complex spectra or spectra
showing naturally occurring radionuclides can raise the MDA1s considerably.
Minimum Detectable Activities in pCi for Total Sample
Isotope
5V
65Zn
6°Co
95Zr
103D
Ru
106_
Ru
124sb
125sb
132Te
13 ll
133.J.
Cs
140
Ba
141Ce
144Ce
181w
10-Min Count
Planchet
50
500
50
50
50
500
50
250
50
50
50
50
50
250
500
600
40-Min Count
Planchet
25
250
25
25
25
250
25
125
25
25
25
25
25
125
250
300
400 ml
40
400
40
40
40
400
40
200
40
40
40
40
40
200
400
475
3.5 liter
35
350
35
35
35
350
35
175
35
35
35
35
35
175
350
425
100-Min Count
400 ml
25
250
25
25
25
250
25
125
25
25
25
25
25
125
250
300
1000 ml
25
250
25
25
25
250
25
125
25
25
25
25
25
125
250
300
3.5 liter
22
220
22
22
22
220
22
110
22
22
22
22
22
110
220
260
33
-------
APPENDIX I. Minimum Detectable Activities For Radionuclide Analyses
(continued)
10-Min Count 40-Min Count 100-Min Count
Isotope Planchet Planchet 400 ml 3.5 liter AGO ml 1000 ml 3.5 liter
3H 0.4 pCi per ml of H20
89
Sr 5.0 pCi total sample of ash
90
Sr 2.0 pCi total sample of ash
OO Q
Pu 0.01 pCi per gram of ash
239
Pu 0.01 pCi per gram of ash
K* 0.5 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.25
*g/kg
34
-------
APPENDIX II.
Cattle
AHU-11
2-NTS
through
6-NTS
7-NTS
8-NTS
AHU-132
AHU-48
* **
Gross and Microscopic Pathology Found in Necropsied Animals
Necropsy findings - Severe arthritis of right stifle joint with
exostosis and erosion of the patella and lateral condyle of the
femur. Slight arthritis of left stifle joint.
Histopathologic findings - Improper fixation of tissues made
interpretation impossible.
Clinical diagnosis - Arthritis
Necropsy findings - No gross lesions observed in any of the
animals.
Histopathologic findings^ - Improper fixation of tissues but no
abnormalities noted.
Clinical diagnosis - Normal
Necropsy findings - Squamous cell carcinoma of right eye with ex-
tensive necrosis of periorbital tissue. Actinbacillosis of right
jaw with pustular tracts extending down the muscles of the neck.
Digestive system flacid and empty. Extremely cachexic.
Histopathologic findings - Not sampled as advanced post mortem
changes prior to necropsy.
Clinical diagnosis - Death from starvation. Inability to graze.
Necropsy findings - Emaciated, but no abnormal conditions noted.
Histopathologic findings - Not sampled.
Clinical diagnosis - Normal
Necropsy findings - Rumen greatly distended with tympanites.
Adhesions between reticulum and liver. Liver contained large
abscess around a piece of baling wire.
Histopathologic findings - Not sampled as advanced post
mortem changes.
Clinical diagnosis - Death from tympanites as a complication
of traumatic gastritis.
Necropsy findings - Not necropsied as prosector not available.
Histopathologic findings - Not sampled as advanced post mortem
changes.
35
-------
APPENDIX II. Gross and Microscopic Pathology Found in Necropsied Animals
(continued)
9 & 10-
NTS
11-NTS
12-NTS
13 & 14-
NTS
Mule Deer
No. 1
No. 2
Clinical diagnosis - Gangrenous mastitis.
Necropsy findings - No gross lesions observed.
Histopathologic findings - All tissues within normal limits.
Clinical diagnosis - Normal.
Necropsy findings - No gross lesions observed.
His topathologic findings - Arteriosclerotic changes observed in
blood vessels of spleen and kidney. Slight emphysema of lungs.
Rest of tissues within normal limits.
Clinical diagnosis - Normal
Necropsy findings - No gross lesions observed.
Histopathologic findings - Appearance of thyroid cells suggests
some hyperplasia but changes are not marked. Rest of tissues
within normal limits.
Clinical diagnosis - Normal.
Necropsy findings - No gross lesions noted.
Histopathologic findings - All tissues within normal limits.
Clinical diagnosis - Normal.
Necropsy findings - No gross lesions noted.
Histopathologic findings - All tissues within normal limits.
Clinical diagnosis - Normal.
Necropsy findings - Multiple fractures of rear legs. Liver
was fragmented. Massive internal hemorrhage. Rupture of rumen.
Histopathologic findings - Not sampled as advanced post mortem
changes.
Clinical diagnosis - Death resulted from extensive trauma as
result of collision with motor vehicle.
36
-------
* **
APPENDIX II. Gross and Microscopic Pathology Found in Necropsied Animals
(continued)
No. 3 Necropsy findings - Miltiple fractures of rear legs. Liver was
fragmented. Massive internal hemorrhage. Rupture of rumen.
Peritoneal cavity was ruptured with protrusion of abdominal
viscera.
Histopathologic findings - Not sampled as advanced post mortem
changes.
Clinical diagnosis - Death resulted from extensive trauma as
result of collision with motor vehicle.
No. 4 Necropsy findings - No gross lesions noted.
Histopathologic findings - Sarcosporidia are found within
several muscle fibers.
Clinical diagnosis - Normal.
Desert Bighorn Sheep
Hunter killed desert bighorn sheep not necropsied or sampled for histopatho-
logic examination.
1-71 Necropsy findings - Adhesions of lung to pleura. Many small
abscesses in diaphragmatic lobes of lungs.
Histopathologic findings - Abomasum - focal necrosis of epithelial
cells. Lungs - atelectasis, pleuritis with adhesions to diaphragm
marked bronchopneumonia, bacteria colonies in airways, fibrinous
exudate in septae, and cellular thrombus in the blood vessels.
Clinical diagnosis - 1) pneumonia and pleuritis, probably
pasteurellosis, 2) fecal necrotizing abomasitis.
2-71 Necropsy findings - Extensive adhesions between lungs and pleura.
Areas of abscessation and atelectasis in diaphragmatic lobes of
lungs. Estimated less than 20% normal lung tissue present.
Histopathologic findings - Lung - atelectasis, bacterial pleuritis
and bronchopneumonia with many colonies of bacteria present
especially in the airways. Adhesions to paretial pleura with
necrosis and fibrosis.
Clinical diagnosis - Pneumonia and pleuritis, probably
pasteurellosis.
Coyotes
No. 1 Necropsy findings - No gross lesions noted.
37
-------
APPENDIX II. Gross and Microscopic Pathology Found in Necropsied Animals
(concluded)
Histopathologic findings - Kidney - a few foci of interstitial
inflammation. Lungs - Many small foci of brown pigment through-
out lungs, especially at muscle tips of terminal bronchioles.
A large subplural granuloma containing concentric laminae of
collagen. In the center of this lesion is foreign material.
Testes - seminiferous tubules contain sertali cells only. No
sperm are seen.
Diagnosis - 1) Testicular hypoplasia, 2) Pulmonary granuloma -
Reaction to foreign material.
No. 2 Necropsy findings - No gross lesions noted.
Histopathologic findings - Lungs - The lungs show numerous
small granuloma like areas. These are composed of macrophages
filled with granular olive brown pigment resembling hemosiderin.
There is also some lymphocytic infiltration in these structures.
Some of them consists only of a few cells and appear to occupy
the alveolar septums. Others are larger replacing several of
the alveoli. Some of these structures are seen adjacent to the
small bronchi. The large bronchi and vessels show nothing of
note. Aside from the granuloma like areas the lung structure
is normal. All other tissues within normal limits.
Diagnosis - Pulmonary granuloma similar to that reported in
No. 1.
* As reported by the senior author.
** As reported by Dr. Jerrold M. Ward, Division of Biological Effects,
Bureau of Radiological Health, 12720 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville,
Maryland 20852 or by Dr. James Y. Clarke, 540 East Sahara, Las Vegas,
Nevada 89105.
38
-------
APPENDIX III.
Botanical Analysis of Rumen Contents from Nevada Test Site
Mule Deer
Animal Date Scientific
No. Collected Name
1 04/06/71 Pursh-ia glandulosa
Eriogonum spp. (woody)
Artemisia tridentata
Phoradendron spp.
Quercus gambeti,
Grass species
Unidentified shrub
Eriogonum spp. (herbaceous)
2 07/13/71 Purshia glandulosa
Quercus gambeli
Eriogonum spp. (woody)
Grass species
Unidentified shrub
Cowania stansburiana
Eriogonum spp. (herbaceous)
4 11/10/71 Cowania stansburiana
Phoradendron spp.
Grass species
Unidentified shrub
Common
Name
Desert Bitterbrush
Buckwheat
Big Sagebrush
Mistletoe
Gamble Oak
Buckwheat
Desert Bitterbrush
Gamble Oak
Buckwheat
Cliff Rose
Buckwheat
Cliff Rose
Mistletoe
Plant
Parts
Stems, leaves
Stems, leaves
Stems, leaves
Stems
Leaf fragments
Leaves
Leaves
Stems
Stems, leaves
Leaves, stems
Leaves, stems
Leaves
Leaves
Leaves, stems
Flowers, stems
Stems, leaves
Stems
Stems, leaves
Fragments
%
Compo-
sition
51%
19%
10%
7%
5%
4%
3%
1%
55%
17%
11%
6%
5%
4%
2%
100%
Trace
Trace
Trace
39
-------
DISTRIBUTION
1-20 Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory, Las Vegas, NV
21 Mahlon E. Gates, Manager, ERDA/NV, Las Vegas, NV
22 Charles E. Williams, ERDA/NV, Las Vegas, NV
23 Bennie G. DiBona, ERDA/NV, Las Vegas, NV
24 David G. Jackson, ERDA/NV, Las Vegas, NV
25 Arthur J. Whitman, ERDA/NV, Las Vegas, NV
26 Elwood M. Douthett, ERDA/NV, Las Vegas, NV
27 - 28 Paul B. Dunaway, ERDA/NV, Las Vegas, NV
29 - 30 Ernest D. Campbell, ERDA/NV, Las Vegas, NV
31 - 32 Mary G. White, ERDA/NV, Las Vegas, NV
33 Roger Ray, ERDA/NV, Las Vegas, NV
34 Robert W. Taft, ERDA/NV, Las Vegas, NV
35 Leon Silverstrom, ERDA/NV, Las Vegas, NV
36 Richard C. Amick, ERDA/NV, Las Vegas, NV
37 John 0. Cummings, ERDA/NV, Las Vegas, NV
38 Bruce W. Church, ERDA/NV, Las Vegas, NV
39 - 40 Technical Library, ERDA/NV, Las Vegas, NV
41 Chief, NOB/DNA, ERDA/NV, Las Vegas, NV
42 Martin B. Biles, DOS, ERDA, Washington, DC
43 Tommy F. McCraw, DOS, ERDA, Washington, DC
44 Major General Ernest Graves, Dir., DMA, ERDA, Washington, DC
45 Assistant General Manager, DMA, ERDA, Washington, DC
46 Gordon C. Facer, DMA, ERDA, Washington, DC
47 James L. Liverman, Dir., DBER, ERDA, Washington, DC
48 Robert L. Watters, DBER, ERDA, Washington, DC
49 John S. Kirby-Smith, DBER, ERDA, Washington, DC
50 L. Joe Deal, DOS, ERDA, Washington, DC
51 Charles L. Osterberg, DBER, ERDA, Washington, DC
52 Rudolf J. Engelmann, DBER, ERDA, Washington, DC
53 Harold F. Mueller, ARL, NOAA, Las Vegas, NV
-------
54 Gilbert J. Ferber, ARL, NOAA, Silver Spring, MD
55 Wilson K. Talley, Assistant Administrator for Research and
Development, EPA, Washington, DC
56 William D. Rowe, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Radiation
Programs, EPA, Washington, DC
57 William A. Mills, Dir., Div. of Criteria and Standards,
ORP, EPA, Washington, DC
58 - 59 Floyd L. Galpin, Dir., Field Operations Div., ORP, EPA,
Washington, DC
60 E. David Harvard, Dir., Div., Technology Assessment, ORP,
EPA, Washington, DC
61 Joan A. Davenport, Dir., Office of Technical Analysis,
EPA, Washington, DC
62 Library, EPA, Washington, DC
63 Bernd Kahn, Chief, Radiochemistry and Nuclear Engineering,
EPA, NERC-Cincinnati, OH
64 Peter Halpin, Chief, APTIC, EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC
65 Paul DeFalco, Jr., Regional Admin., Region IX, EPA,
San Francisco, CA
66 James K. Channell, Regional Radiation Representative,
Region IX, EPA, San Francisco, CA
67 Charles R. Porter, Dir., Eastern Environmental Radiation
Facility, EPA, Montgomery, AL
68 K. M. Oswald, Mgr., Health and Safety, LLL, Mercury, NV
69 Bernard W. Shore, LLL, Livermore, CA
70 James E. Carothers, LLL, Livermore, CA
71 Howard W. Tewes, LLL, Livermore, CA
72 Lawrence S. Germain, LLL, Livermore, CA
73 Paul L. Phelps, LLL, Livermore, CA
74 Mortimer L. Mendelsohn, LLL, Livermore, CA
75 Charles I. Browne, LASL, Los Alamos, NM
76 George E. Tucker, Sandia Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM
77 Harry S. Jordan, LASL, Los Alamos, NM
78 Arden E. Bicker, REECo, Mercury, NV
79 Savino W. Cavender, REECo, Mercury, NV
80 Carter D. Broyles, Sandia Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM
81 Melvin L. Merritt, Sandia Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM
82 Richard S. Davidson, Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, OH
-------
83 Steven V. Kaye, Oak Ridge National Lab., Oak Ridge, TN
84 Leo K. Bustad, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington
State University, Pullman, WA
85 Leonard A. Sagan, Palo Alto Medical Clinic, Palo Alto, CA
86 Vincent Schultz, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
87 Arthur Wallace, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
88 Wesley E. Niles, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV
89 Robert C. Pendleton, University of Utah, Salt Lake, UT
90 William S. Twenhofel, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, CO
91 Paul R. Fenske, Desert Research Institute, University of
Nevada, Reno, NV
92 President, Desert Research Institute, University of Nevada,
Reno, NV
93 - 119 Technical Information Center, ERDA, Oak Ridge, TN
(for public availability)
120 Verle R. Bohman, University of Nevada, Reno, NV
121 Manager, Desert National Wildlife Range, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Las Vegas, NV
122 Supervisor, Region III, Nevada Fish and Game Department,
Las Vegas, NV
123 Paul Lyons, Nevada Wildlife Research, Division of Archives,
Capitol Building Annex, Carson City, NV
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