Pasture Practices, Milk Distribution, and Consumption in the Continental U.S. in the 1950s

Abstract

Determining the consumption of milk contaminated with 131I, resulting from atmospheric nuclear weapons tests conducted at the Nevada Test Site, by the United States population during the 1950s constitutes one part of the methodology used by the National Cancer Institute to assess radiation exposures to Americans. In order to make these estimates for locations throughout the United States, it is necessary to determine the pasture intake by cows and the distribution of the milk produced for human consumption at times when the weapons were tested. Since the milk industry has undergone many changes during the past 35 y, historical records and information must be used. The methodology developed to estimate the intake of contaminated pasture by dairy cows, milk production, and milk distribution on a county basis for the continental U.S. during the 1950s is described in detail. The relevant data on milk consumption by humans are also discussed.

Iodine-131 Releases from Radioactive Lanthanum Processing at the X-10 Site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee (1944-1956)- An Assessment of Quantities released, Off-Site Radiation Doses, and Potential Excess Risks of Thyroid Cancer, Volume 1

“…According to Dreicer et al (1990) and Downen (1955;, school-aged children received milk for lunch as part of the School Milk Program. The amount of milk received in school was estimated (Dreicer et al, 1990) to be about one-third of the total milk consumed by a child daily.…”

“…The amount of milk received in school was estimated (Dreicer et al, 1990) to be about one-third of the total milk consumed by a child daily. The milk provided by schools was assumed to be commercial milk (about 66% of the total milk ingested daily, 180 days per year, 5 days per week), while the milk consumed at home was assumed to be collected from a backyard cow.…”

“…Dreicer et al (1990) reported gender-and age-specific per capita consumption rates of fresh milk from cows. In addition, the USDA (1965; provided age-and gender-specific information for the major food groups (meat, vegetables, dairy, etc.).…”

“…During the 1940s and 1950s, about 50% of the milk produced in the United States was consumed by humans as fresh fluid milk (Dreicer et al, 1990), about 3% was used on farms to feed livestock, and the remainder was used to manufacture dairy products. The milk produced at a given farm is assumed to be consumed locally (backyard cow scenario) or distributed to the local population for consumption (commercial cow scenario).…”

Task 3 Report - PCBs in the Environment Near the Oak Ridge Reservation - A Reconstruction of Historical Doses and Health Risks

“…Professional Judgement Page 7-10 Based on compilation of studies of feed rates of non-commercial dairy cattle. Shor and Fields, 1980;Boone et al, 1981;Dreicer et al, 1990 Fraction consumption pasture (unitless) Uniform 0.3 1…”