Radionuclides in Pronghorn Resulting from Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing and Worldwide Fallout

During 1972-76, rumen, lung, muscle, and liver tissues from pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) collected near the Idaho Chemical Processing Plant (ICPP) on the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) Site, on adjacent INEL areas, and on offsite control areas were analyzed for gammaemitting radionuclides. Although up to 14 radionuclides appeared in pronghorn rumen contents, only137Cs was consistently detected in muscle and liver samples. Cesium-137 concentrations in pronghorn muscle from near the ICPP averaged 384 pCi/kg, and were higher (P < 0.01) than concentrations in other onsite pronghorn (53 pCi/kg) and offsite controls (38 pCi/kg). Concentrations of137Cs in the liver were slightly higher, and lung concentrations were much lower than muscle concentrations. Maximum dose commitment to man consuming the muscle and liver of a pronghorn was 2.7 mrem. Radiation doses to pronghorn from radionuclides reported in this and other studies are discussed in relation to the 3 study areas, and are compared to doses pronghorn receive from naturally occurring radionuclides. Radiation doses to pronghorn and to man eating the pronghorn are below current guidelines established for man. Pronghorn appear to be useful bioindicators of radionuclides in the environment.