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Radiation levels in the Ukraine increased over three years before returning to May 1986 levels. As we learned from the Chernoble accident, we can expect, measured high radioactivity in livestock to increase six months after the initial fall-out. If the initial weather conditions are rain when the vented plumes surface and reach locales and communities, the levels of radioactive caesium in livestock will continue to increase in those areas. Obviously, not all localities are measured for fall-out, and some areas will be entirely missed (especially in the countryside) and people who live there left in ignorance. What we have learned is we should be on our guard if it rains heavily at a time when the radioactive cloud is somewhere in the vicinity. If there is contaminated air in the vicinity, we should not go outside, nor drink rainwater, and not go for a swim. Animals must be sheltered and kept inside for many weeks. This reduces the exposure to short-lived radio-isotopes like iodine-131. Contamination of food will be a problem where fall-out has contaminated the supply of wheat and feed. Wild vegetation tends to be more efficient at concentrating radioactive material than well-fertilized domestic crops. Game animals that live on these plants are likely to have higher levels of radioactivity compared with domestic ones. Some buildings are more effective in shielding us from radiation than are others. The best protection is found in an air-tight building, concrete blocks or apartments. The traditional wooden structures are less protective. If you remain in the area, you might move to a prefabricated air tight home. Filters in an air cleaning system will have to be replaced following a radioactive event, and care must be taken when changing and disposing of the contaminated filters. If iodine tablets were not issued, uptake of radio iodine may be lessed by consuming kelp. The main task after a major radiation release should not be to hose down vehicles, roads, buildings, because that only disperses the particles into the soil; the main task is to confine the contamination and dispose of it at a safe site. When the source of radioactive contamination is closed and secured, the task of collecting fall-out begins. The Soviets sprayed a light, sticky plastic film over the surface of the ground, which was later gathered and disposed. The first few centimeters of topsoil have to be taken to a secure landfill site. Buildings can be coated with special paint, and roads may be tarred to bind radioactive fallout for collection and disposal.
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