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22 May 2013

Answer to Question #3998 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Nuclear Power — Nuclear Accidents

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

How do you determine if plants and animals have been affected by radiation? What would you test in plants and animals—cells, atoms, etc.—if there was a nuclear meltdown? How would you test the environment?

Environmental monitoring for radiation and radioactive material is done routinely by a number of groups throughout the world.

Please refer to previously asked Ask the Expert frequently asked questions regarding the basics of radiation and radioactive materials.

In addition see another excellent description of radiation detection methods on the HPS website.

There is also some interesting information available on environmental and background radiation on our website.

Lastly, the Idaho State University Physics Department website gives a good overview of radioactivity in nature. It includes some additional links.

These links should get you a good, solid understanding of environmental monitoring for radiation and radioactive material.

Linda Sewell, CHP

Answer posted on 27 October 2004. The information and material posted on this website is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Website. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.