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PubMed2001

The quality assurance programme for the national radioactivity surveillance network in Italy.

The quality assurance programme (QAP) carried out by the ENEA and ANPA for the laboratories belonging to the radioactivity surveillance network in Italy is outlined. The organisation of the QAP and the measurement campaigns performed from 1983 to 2000 are reviewed under different aspects such as network evolution, measurement types, standard sources needed for the calibration and intercomparison campaigns. network homogeneity and accuracy level, and main sources of systematic errors. The results show the effectiveness of the programme in obtaining a uniform accuracy level among the participating laboratories. Nevertheless a few sources of systematic errors are still present.

Calibration↗
PubMed1993

Recent results (1986-1989) on the ENEA quality assurance programme for the radioactivity surveillance network in Italy.

A programme for the Quality Assurance of the Italian network for surveillance of radioactivity in foodstuff and environmental samples was started by the ENEA in 1983. The main purpose of this programme is to establish uniform levels of accuracy and reproducibility in measurement procedures routinely used by the laboratories belonging to the network. This paper describes the technical aspects relevant to the calibration and intercomparison campaigns carried out, in Italy, in the period 1986-1989. The relevant measurements include gamma spectrometry and beta-ray counting in liquid aqueous samples.

Calibration↗
PubMed1994

COMIDA: a radionuclide food chain model for acute fallout deposition.

A dynamic food chain model and computer code, named "COMIDA," has been developed to estimate radionuclide concentrations in agricultural food products following an acute fallout event. COMIDA estimates yearly harvest concentrations for five human crop types (Bq kg-1 crop per Bq m-2 deposited) and integrated concentrations for four animal products (Bq d kg-1 animal product per Bq m-2) for a unit deposition that occurs on any user-specified day of the year. COMIDA is structurally very similar to the PATHWAY model and includes the same seasonal transport processes and discrete events for soil and vegetation compartments. Animal product assimilation is modeled using simpler equilibrium models. Differential transport and ingrowth of up to three radioactive progeny are also evaluated. Benchmark results between COMIDA and PATHWAY for monthly fallout events show very similar seasonal agreement for integrated concentrations in milk and beef. Benchmark results between COMIDA and four international steady-state models show good agreement for deposition events that occur during the middle of the growing season. COMIDA will be implemented in the new Department of Energy version of the MELCOR Accident Consequence Code System for evaluation of accidental releases from nuclear power plants.

Computer Simulation↗
PubMed1997

Activity concentrations and population dose from radium-226 in food and drinking water in Taiwan.

The purpose of this study was to determine the radioactivity of 226Ra in environmental samples in Taiwan. Fish, pork, rice, flour, chicken, vegetable, milk, fruit, egg and water samples were collected and pretreated by radiochemical procedure to extract the 226Ra, and the activity concentrations of 226Ra were determined using a liquid scintillation counter. The 226Ra content of groundwater was 12.0 mBq l-1. The 226Ra contents of the food ranged from 0.02 Bq kg-1 fresh to 0.17 Bq kg-1 fresh. The annual internal dose from ingestion of 226Ra from food and drinking water per caput was evaluated to be 7.5 microSv.

Environmental Exposure↗
PubMed1995

210Po and 210Pb intake by the Portuguese population: the contribution of seafood in the dietary intake of 210Po and 210Pb.

Through analysis of 210Po and 210Pb in the diet, the average ingestion rate for the Portuguese population is estimated at 1.2 and 0.47 Bq d-1 per capita for 210Po and 210Pb, respectively. Detailed analysis of foods indicate that seafood alone contributes up to 70% of the 210Po ingestion rate, whereas cereals, vegetables, and meat altogether contribute 79% of the 210Pb ingestion rate. Consumption of seafood, both in terms of quantities (kg d-1 per person) and preferential consumption of certain marine species, is the cause of the relatively high intake of 210Po and high 210Po:210Pb ratio in the diet in comparison with other countries. Other 210Po and 210Pb sources, namely inhalation of surface air and cigarette smoke, contribute only a small percentage of the absorption of these radionuclides in the blood. Estimated total body burdens of 210Po and 210Pb in adult men, 70 Bq, are 3.5 times higher than estimates for humans living in normal radioactivity regions and consuming a reference diet. Average whole body effective doses for the adult from the Portuguese population are estimated at about 85 microSv y-1 from 210Po and 170 microS y-1 from 210Pb absorbed with the diet. Effective dose from 210Po in the diet may vary from 25 microSv y-1 in a person consuming no seafood to 120 microSv y-1 in an heavy consumer of sardines, to 1,000 microSv y-1 in an hypothetical heavy consumer of molluscs.

Absorption↗
PubMed1975

Environmental Radioactivity in the Faroes in 1974.

Measurements of fall-out radioactivity in the Faroes in 1974 are presented. Strontium-90 (and 137Cs in most cases) was determined in regularly collected samples of precipitation, grass, milk, fish, sea water, bread, and drinking water. In addition, analyses were made of spotsamples of lamb, potatoes, sea plants, vegetables, eggs, and human bone. Estimates are given of the mean contents of 90Sr and 137Cs in the human diet in the Faroes in 1974. Whole body measurements were made on six individuals from the Faroes.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Radioactivity in and committed effective dose from some Brazilian foodstuffs.

Thirty-eight types of food including fruits, vegetables, cereals, and meat have been analyzed by gamma-ray spectrometry. Clove and black pepper were found to have the highest concentration of 137Cs. The annual intake of 40K, 228Ra, 226Ra, and 137Cs were found to be 14 kBq, 53.2 Bq, 17.5 Bq, and 3.2 Bq, respectively, taking into account the typical diet of São Paulo City, Brazil. The annual committed effective doses from these radionuclides for adults were estimated to be 87.4 microSv, 36.7 microSv, 4.9 microSv, and 0.04 microSv, respectively.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

A study of radioactivities in six types of fish consumed in Hong Kong.

The contents of natural and artificial radionuclides in two types of fresh water fish and four types of marine fish commonly consumed by the Hong Kong population have been measured using HPGe gamma-ray spectrometry. The two types of fresh water fish are grey mullet (mugil cephalus) and grass carp (ctenopharyngodon idellus). The four types of marine fish are white pomfret (pampus argenteus), red bullseye (priacanthus macracanthus), golden thread (nemipterus) and ginkgo (gymnocranius griseus). All measurements of U and Th chain radionuclides in the samples have yielded values below MDA except for positive detection of 228Ra (assuming 228Ra to be in equilibrium with 228Ac) in grey mullet and bullseye perch. The 40K and 137Cs radionuclides were detectable in all samples, with values of 0.01-0.2 and 41.23-111.47 Bq/kg fresh respectively. The different levels of radioactivity in different species of fish is suggested to be due to differences in metabolism and feeding patterns. The radionuclide 60Co, the only other artificial radionuclide to be investigated herein, recorded values below MDA for most of the samples; observable values ranged from 0.01 to 0.04 Bq/kg fresh. Committed effective doses due to ingestion of radionuclides from fish have been estimated to be 1.2 (male) and 6.4 (female) microSv/yr for natural radionuclides; 0.027 (male) and 0.026 (female) microSv/yr for artificial radionuclides.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Increased 137caesium whole body radioactivity in high-performance athletes.

A shadow shield whole body counter with automated gamma spectrum analysis is used in the division of nuclear medicine for the measurement of whole body radioactivity. After the radioactive fall-out in Austria caused by the Chernobyl accident the instrument has been extensively utilized for the assessment of the radiation level in the general population. In November of 1986 and 1987 the level of internal contamination with 137Cs in high-performance athletes was compared with a group of subjects practicing little or no sports. It was found that significantly higher contents of 137Cs were present in the athletes. Furthermore, it was found that within the groups of athletes male subjects had significantly higher internal 137Cs contamination per kilogram of body mass than the female subjects. An explanation for this is the different nutrition and the higher relative muscle mass of the athletes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Radioactivity in environmental samples taken in the Sellafield and Ravenglass areas of West Cumbria, 1977-1982.

Terrestrial foodstuffs and other materials of agricultural importance have been analyzed for fission products and actinides discharged in waste from the Sellafield processing works in west Cumbria . Results obtained between 1977 and 1982 are summarized and it is concluded that the internal radiation exposure of the general public due to consumption of locally produced food in no instance amounts to more than a small fraction of recommended limits. Deposition of seaborne sediment is shown to be the main route by which radionuclides of Sellafield origin reach grazing land bordering a nearby tidal estuary.

Americium↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Radioactivity concentrations of 137Cs and 40K in basidiomycetes collected in Taiwan.

Radioactivity concentrations of 137Cs and 40K in 64 mushroom samples belonging to 16 species of basidiomycetes collected at various locations in Taiwan have been measured in 1994. All of the samples were mushrooms cultivated indoors. The concentrations of 137Cs in many samples were below the limit of detection (< 1.0 Bq kg-1 dry weight), and 134Cs was not detected in any of the samples. The radioactivity concentration ranges of 137Cs and 40K in basidiomycetes were < 1.0-7.3 Bq kg-1 dry weight and < 50-1230 Bq kg-1 dry weight, respectively. The transfer factors of F. velutipes, G. lucidum and L. edodes from sawdust (growing substrate) to mushroom were approximately 10, 10.2, < 3.8 for 137Cs, and 7.2, 1.6, 1.8 for 40K, respectively. The effective dose equivalent due to the dietary intake of radiocesium through mushrooms for the Taiwanese people was estimated to be only 4.4 x 10(-10) Sv y-1.

Basidiomycota↗
PubMed2002

Radioactivity in food and the environment: calculations of UK radiation doses using integrated assessment methods.

A new method for estimating radiation doses to UK critical groups is proposed for discussion. Amongst others, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) undertake surveillance of UK food and the environment as a check on the effect of discharges of radioactive wastes. Discharges in gaseous and liquid form are made under authorisation by the Environment Agency and SEPA under powers in the Radioactive Substance Act. Results of surveillance by the FSA and SEPA are published in the Radioactivity in Food and the Environment (RIFE) report series. In these reports, doses to critical groups are normally estimated separately for gaseous and liquid discharge pathways. Simple summation of these doses would tend to overestimate doses actually received. Three different methods of combining the effects of both types of discharge in an integrated assessment are considered and ranked according to their ease of application, transparency, scientific rigour and presentational issues. A single integrated assessment method is then chosen for further study. Doses are calculated for surveillance data for the calendar year 2000 and compared with those from the existing RIFE method.

Food Contamination, Radioactive↗
PubMed1985

Radiocesium levels in Irish Sea fish and the resulting dose to the population of the Irish Republic.

Discharges of radioactive materials from the nuclear fuel reprocessing plant at Sellafield in the United Kingdom give rise to 137Cs and 134Cs in fish caught in the Irish Sea. Measurements made on fish catches landed in the Irish Republic show average activities of 68 and 3 Bq/kg (wet) of 137Cs and 134Cs, respectively. The estimated population dose to the Irish public is approximately 2 man-Sv y-1 and the possible dose to a member of the critical group is 1.4% of the limit recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Assessment of milk transfer coefficients for use in prediction models of radioactivity transport.

The transfer coefficient (Fm) which is widely used to predict the fraction of ingested radionuclides found in milk is an important parameter for modelling. The accuracy of estimates can be improved by considering the following factors that influence the Fm; (1) the physical-chemical form of the radionuclide in the feed of cows, (2) the hay to concentrate ratio of cows diets and (3) correcting for a steady state situation for feed intake and milk concentrations. Factors such as stable element intake, soil intake, milk production rate, metabolic rate and inhalation do not appear to have significant effects upon the transfer coefficient.

Accidents↗
PubMed2001

Consultative exercise on dose assessments.

A summary is given of a meeting held at Sussex University, UK, in October 2000, which allowed the exchange of ideas on methods of assessment of dose to the public arising from potential authorised radioactive discharges from nuclear sites in the UK. Representatives of groups with an interest in dose assessments were invited, and hence the meeting was called the Consultative Exercise on Dose Assessments (CEDA). Although initiated and funded by the Food Standards Agency, its organisation, and the writing of the report, were overseen by an independent Chairman and Steering Group. The report contains recommendations for improvement in co-ordination between different agencies involved in assessments, on method development and on the presentation of data on assessments. These have been prepared by the Steering Group, and will be taken forward by the Food Standards Agency and other agencies in the UK. The recommendations are included in this memorandum.

Environmental Exposure↗
PubMed2003

Caesium concentration in the Pakistani diet.

Daily dietary intakes of radioactive and non-radioactive caesium for the Pakistani population were measured. Food samples were collected on market basket method and were analysed using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis technique. The radioactive caesium ((137)Cs) in these samples was below the detectable limit, i.e. 1 mBq g(-1). The geometric mean of the mass fraction of stable caesium was 9.56 x 1.53 ng g(-1). The estimated daily dietary intake of caesium was 5.65 x 1.53 microg d(-1) or 0.088 microg kg(-1) of body weight of the reference Pakistani man weighing 64 kg. These values are 38.2% smaller than the recommended ICRP values for a 70 kg standard man. However, caesium concentration in the Pakistani diet is comparable with other reported values in the literature.

Cesium Radioisotopes↗
PubMed1984

The bioaccumulation factor for phosphorus-32 in edible fish tissue.

Information used to derive the bioaccumulation factor for 32P in edible portions of fish was reviewed to evaluate the currently recommended values of 100,000 in fresh water and 29,000 in sea water that are applied in calculating radiation doses to persons from nuclear-power reactor effluents. A generic phosphorus bioaccumulation factor of 70,000 was obtained for larger rivers and estuarine waters on the basis of geometric mean phosphorus concentrations of 2 mg/g wet weight in fish muscle and 0.03 mg/l dissolved in water. A 20-fold lower bioaccumulation factor was inferred for 32P because radioactive decay is much faster than phosphorus turnover. A phosphorus turnover rate in muscle of 0.2% per day was estimated as a long-term average for edible-size fish, although more rapid turnover has been observed for brief periods. Large deviations from the generic bioaccumulation factor will occur for different phosphorus concentrations in water and turnover rates in fish. Site-specific determinations are also needed because 32P is bioaccumulated at lower trophic levels in the food web, not in the fish. Hence, the availability of concentrating organisms determines the bioaccumulation factor. Several other conditions that affect the 32P bioaccumulation factor have not been quantified and are suggested for study.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

[Transfer of radiocesium into rabbit meat and its excretion].

The uptake of radiocesium Cs-137 in rabbit's muscle and its clearance were studied following the 24 days long ingestion of hay naturally contaminated as a consequence of the Chernobyl accident. The average radioactivity of hay was 2,294 +/- 345 Bq/kg and the daily intake was 0.5 kg. It was found that after 20 days of ingestion the muscle radionuclide concentration equilibrated with that of the feed. The transfer coefficient Tf describing the fraction of the daily intake of Cs-137 found in a kilogram of rabbit's muscle was calculated: Tf = 0.29 +/- 0.15 d/kg. The biological Cs-137 clearance rate (after finishing the feeding with contaminated diet) was found to be ruled by two biological half-lives: Tb1 = 1.5 days and Tb2 = 66 days and fitting the following retention equation: At = 0.66.e-0.46.t + 0.34.e-0.01.t It means that 5 days after removing the animals from contaminated diet the amount of Cs-137 can be expected as 30% of the initial one.

Animal Feed↗