The doctors, Irving A. Mann and Robert W. Haggerty, said they would continue the program and hope the percentages will improve over the years. Dr. Mann said he thought they got larger and healthier babies as a result. Mr. Reagan signed the bill over objections from the Pentagon and Justice Department, which said it set bad legal precedent. The discharges were on a scale that today would be considered a major nuclear accident, but the DOE said it cannot calculate the amount of exposure. Exposure is figured in part on how much milk and leafy vegetables were raised and consumed in the area.
Radioactive iodine is absorbed by the body from air, food or drink, especially cows' milk.
Radioactive iodine concentrates in the thyroid gland, where the radiation can cause cancer or other problems. We would like to continue to provide this service free. Please do not send credit card information via E-mail.