highly vulnerable to radiological fallout. Most indus- 

 trial raw materials and products that have become 

 contaminated by fallout can be decontaminated and 

 restored to a usable state. But heavy contemiination of 

 food products or raw materials may leave part of it unfit 

 for consumption, thus reducing the supply. 



Food materials and products which can be kept from 

 direct contact with radioactive particles wUl be safe 

 for consumption. Radioactive rays penetrating food 

 containers will not damage the food itself. It is only 

 when radioactive particles become mixed in the food, 

 that it becomes dangerous to eat or drink. 



C2mned foods, and foods stored in refrigerated ware- 

 houses or in any nonporous containers thus would be 

 free from radioactivity. But they can easily become 

 contaminated in the of)ening of the containers unless 

 the containers have been decontaminated. 



Since cooking does not eliminate radioactivity, the 

 same amount of protection will have to be provided for 

 raw food as for processed foods. 



Radioactive iodine and strontium, particularly io- 

 dine 131 and strontium 90, wiU present problems to 

 food planners after a nuclear attack. Determination 

 of allowable levels in food will be the responsibility 

 of the Federal Government. 



A potentially dangerous source of radioactive intake 

 post-attack could be from leafy vegetables and similar 



foods which might be contaminated by fallout particles. 

 Food companies engaged in the processing of vege- 

 tables, grains and other foods which may have become 

 contaminated by fallout should be esffecially careful, 

 and be prepared to monitor them for radioactive parti- 

 cles adhering to the food surfaces. In many cases, 

 decontamination can be accomplished by thorough 

 washing. 



Contamination of water supplies is another f>oten- 

 tial radiological hazard. Water, like food, will not 

 become contaminated by radiation, but it may become 

 dangerous to drink if too many radioactive particles 

 fall into it. While this danger may be orJy temporary 

 because radioactive particles tend to sink to the bottom, 

 it would be far better to take steps to insure a safe 

 water supply, such as from an underground well. 



Since there are few food processes that are not de- 

 pendent upon potable water, food plant managers 

 should give serious thought to both water storage facili- 

 ties and emergency water supplies. Civil defense ofiB- 

 cials have warned that every family and every commu- 

 nity shelter should have an emergency water supply 

 suflBcient to last two weeks following an emergency. 

 If it is fKJssible, food plants should also arrange for 

 a safe emergency water supply. Those plants with 

 wells available have a valuable emergency resource if 

 they provide for power for the operation of pumps. 



EMPLOYEE WELFARE 



As part of a company's efforts to safeguard its em- 

 ployees, a plant welfare group should be organized to 

 plan for the workers' needs during and following an 

 emergency. 



Many companies are establishing welfare service 

 groups and are planning for their emergency use. 

 Preparations by industry in this area cover the assist- 

 ance of employees during the time they may be in shel- 

 ter as well as providing accelerated aid to employees 



after they emerge from shelter. 



Personnel planning must include means for obtain- 

 ing news from the outside, and spiritual guidance for 

 those who request it. Other assistance to employees 

 may include food distribution, rebuilding or repairing 

 employees" homes, providing clothing, loans, and such 

 other aid as the company may want to make available. 



Virtually all local governments provide welfare serv- 

 ices. These are supplemented and strengthened in 



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