Show The County Agents Report Duchesne County Farm News by Lloyd Smith and Norris HOW WOULD RADIATION AFFECT FOOD AND People sometimes wonder if food in their homes and feed for their animals would be safe to eat after a nuclear says County Agent Lloyd with the Utah State University Extension radioactive fallout contains gamma rays and beta particles which are injurious to humans and but this radiation has no harmful effects on nonliving materials or If radioactive duct particles didn't come into actual contact with the food or it would not become it would be safe to Smith he notes that it would be necessary to decontaminate food and feed if fallout dust were to come into direct contact with If not washed beta particles could burn the skin of persons handling contaminated More internal damage would result if people animals ate food on which there was radioactive dust So food and feeds should be kept under cover during any covering that prevents dust from coming in would provide adequate If fallout particles did get on food or there are several possible methods of Often the dust can be removed in the same way as any other dust by vacuum cleaning or If uncovered supplies become usually only the top portion would be This could be removed and the underneath portions would be Many food products could be stored long e-nough to allow decay of radioactivity to safe that cooking does not destroy Contaminated potatoes and other root crops would be safe to use after washing and Peas and beans could be shelled and head or sweet corn and other foods could be thoroughly washed to remove fallout then peeled or the outside otherwise removed to make the food In doing this Smith warns that care must be taken so hands or utensils do not contaminate the parts to be Wear rubber gloves and wash hands preferably with well then bury the should be poured into a to seep into the earth to decay without contaminating surface Grain stored in a permanent bin could be used safely as soon as workers could get into the area to use In an open feed would become contaminated if dust particles fell upon and mixed with but the top portion could be removed and the if free of would be safe to Uncovered hay or produce contaminated with dust particles would also be safe if the dusty outer portions were Meat would present a different Meat or meat food products in home or commercial storage would be most effectively protected if they were in a refrigerator or deep or were If farmers had enough the crops could be harvested and protected to the extent time contaminated remain usable as food if the radioactive dust can be removed and is not taken into human and animal Some crops would be easier to decontaminate than such as which can be Rain or snow would help decontaminate field Another possible solution is to delay using them until fallout has |