IIRC, the risks from Chernobyl were mainly from iodine-131, strontium-90, and cesium-137. Iodine-131 has strong uptake into the body, concentrates in the thyro

IIRC, the risks from Chernobyl were mainly from iodine-131, strontium-90, and cesium-137. Iodine-131 has strong uptake into the body, concentrates in the thyroid gland, and is highly radioactive. It is bad news. Strontium-90 is well absorbed by humans, becomes locked in the bones, and has a half-life of decades. It is a significant long term problem. Cesium-137 also has a decade-ish half-life and some body uptake. The main issue with it is that reactors produce large amounts. If it was a trace product it could be ignored.