Tea Contaminated by Fallout from Chernobyl

This is a container (ca. 3" x 3" x 3 1/2") of Turkish tea that was contaminated by fallout from Chernobyl. The most readily detected radionuclides are Cs-137 and naturally occurring K-40. 

During the first few days of the accident, the winds carried the fallout towards the west and northwest. By April 30 and May 1, the winds had shifted and were blowing south in the general direction of Turkey. Overall, Turkey received relatively low levels of fallout, much less than many other countries.

Donated by Rowena Argall.