The potential for disease initiation by inhaled beta-emitting nuclear particles

The inference led to the hypothesis “particulates comprised of Strontium 89 nuclides provided the exposure that caused the health effects that were observed following the Three Mile Island accident”. The hypothesis was tested for validity against two requirements; that only the humans beneath the plumes, who would have inhaled the particulates, expressed the abrupt and persistent rise in the health parameter Deaths from all Causes that would result from the severe prolonged immunosuppression that follows a 0.5 Sievert dose, and that they expressed the excess cancers that would be expected following organ doses of 0.5 or more Sieverts. These effects were found. The Hypothesis is therefore valid and leads to knowledge of the heretofore unknown mechanisms and effects of low LET beta irradiation by a particulate.