Re: Chernobyl in the Alps

[Jim Abraham <jimabe@lamar.colostate.edu>]

Chris Hawkins wrote:

> The gist of it was that there is still a
> lot of radioactivity in the peaks of the
> Alps as a result of the Chernobyl
> accident and the mountain climbers,
> skiers, etc. ought to be concerned about
> it.
>
> Is this based on fact or just more
> hysteria ??
>

Personally, I am very skeptical of anything the media reports regarding
Chernobyl and fallout.  I have a background in Radioecology and to hear
that there were increased concentrations of fission products in the Alps
was no surprise.  My question is, if there is a substantial risk of
increased radiation exposure, WHAT IS THE DOSE RATE?  I read an article
from a paper the other day, that stated everything else, except
comparable levels to the natural background that already exists there
(i.e. increased cosmic radiation dose from being at a high elevation to
begin with).  High elevations have increased concentrations of Cs-137
and everything else because snow is the main form of precipitation and
essentially "scrubs" the atmosphere of contaminants.  There are very
high levels of Cs-137 in the Rocky Mountains due to atmospheric fallout
from above ground tests in the 1960's (I can guarantee that this news to
Colorado skiers, would not stop them from going).   I am tired of
reading articles that do nothing but place fear in the unknowing public
to sell a paper.  I'll be the FIRST to agree, that there are increased
Cs-137 levels in ALL (not just the Alps) high mountain areas
(radioecologists predicted Cs-137 increases over 10 years ago when the
Chernobyl "event" happened).  Thus, this is not new news.  But please
(and I'm speaking to anyone in the media) substantiate your articles
with facts (dose rate? or # times natural background of the Alps) not
fear (= $). You have a responsibility to report the truth.

--
------------------------
James P. Abraham
Alt. Radiation Safety Officer
Colorado State University - Radiation Control Office
133 General Services Building - Environmental Health Services
Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-6021        email:
jimabe@lamar.colostate.edu