Would covering the soil with stretch tape or anything waterproof be effective as a protection against radioactive fallout?

[Anonymous]

[slatyb]

No, it wouldn't. Some radiation (gamma rays) really penetrates light material. Remember that lead blanket they used to give you at the dentist for X-rays? Radiation from nuclear fallout is even more powerful than X-rays. That's why fallout shelters are underground and are typically provisioned for a year or more.

[Astarlessnightsky]

No, Gammarays will penetrate anything beside a thick wall of concrete and lead.

[Agape93]

Against solid matter that isn't too hot, yeap, but it won't help against radiation

[BeMuse]

Technically plastic mulch could catch the radioactive dust, but someone has to come and clean it up before it rains and becomes runoff...