Sheepfarming after Chernobyl: A Case Study in Communicating Scientific Information

摘要: The main cloud of radioactive contamination from Chernobyl passed over the United Kingdom on May 2-3, 1986. Rainfall was major factor affecting local deposition radioactivity, especially cesium. Sheep were being contaminated by ingesting grass with British government officials first reacted to this ignoring and denying facts then recommending impractical solutions stemming their ignorance hill sheep farming. This study illustrates need for improved, two-way communication between scientists involved public, particularly during national emergencies.