asked the Minister for Health if in view of the opinion expressed by experts that strontium clouds as a result of the recent Russian atomic tests are likely to be over this country by next Spring, and that the rainfalls of that period are likely to cause contamination of milk and water with possible lasting injurious effects to human beings, he will indicate if he has plans to nullify the disastrous effects that could accrue from such a situation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Plans to Nullify Effects of Strontium Clouds.
3.
I would draw the Deputy's attention to my reply on the 15th November to questions relating to this matter.
Views as to the extent of the deposition of additional radioactive strontium from the recent nuclear tests differ, but it is the consensus of authoritative opinion that the level of strontium 90 is not likely to be such next spring as to approach recognised safety limits.
I am rather surprised that the Deputy, before framing his question in alarmist terms, did not make himself familiar with the explicit statement published by the British Medical Research Council in their report on 24th October last, which I shall now read:
As the highest fall-out rate of some of the longer-lived radioactive substances, such as Strontium 90, may be expected in the late spring of 1962, it is not yet possible to predict the total additional radiation dose to which the population has been committed by the recent tests. However, as the levels of radioactivity measured in air have been similar to those observed at an equivalent time after explosions in the autumn of 1958, there is at present no reason to believe that tests from which fall-out has so far been detected will involve an additional radiation exposure from external radiation or from Strontium 90 which differs greatly from what has been experienced hitherto. It may be concluded that Strontium 90 from tests so far carried out will not give rise to bone levels approaching those which the Council laid down in their Report of December 1960 as the maximum permissible in the general population.
The possible hazards from radio-active fall-out are kept under continuous review by the Departments concerned and tests for strontium 90 in milk will be arranged in the spring, if necessary. In the absence of any likelihood of strontium 90 levels reaching the recognised permissible maxima, opinion amongst international experts as to what should be done in the event of that remote contingency arising has not so far solidified. The Deputy will appreciate that in the circumstances it is not possible to make plans such as he refers to.