Abstract
IN the atmosphere 14C occurs principally as 14CO2 and is usually produced by nuclear reactions between cosmic ray neutrons and the nitrogen atoms of the air. The natural equilibrium between production and disintegration of 14C determines a part of the natural background radiation to the human population. From 1955 there has been a gradual increase of 14C in the atmosphere, the land biosphere and the ocean, as a result of nuclear tests. Although 14C was initially not regarded as an important hazard to man1, it was later pointed out2–4 that 14C could be a source of appreciable genetic hazard in the world's population, because of its long half life (5,700 yr).
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NYDAL, R., LÖVSETH, K. & SYRSTAD, O. Bomb 14C in the Human Population. Nature 232, 418–421 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1038/232418a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/232418a0
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