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PubMed1990

Transfer of environmental plutonium and americium across the human gut: a second study.

A follow-up to our previous study is described on human gut transfer factors for plutonium and americium in winkles harvested from the shoreline near the British Nuclear Fuels plc Sellafield reprocessing plant. Six male and two female adult volunteers ate single quantities of shellfish; samples of their urine before and after consumption were analysed. As in the previous study, the plutonium and americium excreted were difficult to detect, and counting times of approximately 8 weeks were employed. Results are presented in detail to allow further interpretation, but preliminary assessment has been carried out on the basis of published data for excretion following transfer to blood. The mean and range obtained for the gut transfer for plutonium was 1.3 (0.2-3.2) x 10(-4); for americium the result was 0.8 (0.4-1.7) x 10(-4). Combined with the results of the previous study when interpreted on the same basis, the results were 1.7 (0.2-4.9) x 10(-4) and 0.9 (0.3-2.8) x 10(-4), respectively. No significant evidence was revealed in this study for differences in gut transfer between males and females, nor for seasonal differences, e.g. due to differences in form of incorporation of actinides in shellfish. For realistic assessments of doses due to shellfish consumption near Sellafield, to assess compliance with criteria recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), a suitable value for the gut transfer factor of both plutonium and americium might be 2 x 10(-4). A value of 5 x 10(-4) would appear to be cautious.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Cesium-137 in moose diet; considerations on intake and accumulation.

An attempt was made to estimate the daily intake of 137Cs by moose during different months and seasons, and to compare this result with the 137Cs activity concentration in moose muscles. Plants representative of moose diet in central Sweden showed a high 137Cs activity concentration compared with plants from agricultural systems, and there appears to be very slow reduction of 137Cs activity concentration in these forest plants. It seems that the daily intake of 137Cs was low during the summer, but it exhibited a peak in the autumn, which corresponds to the 137Cs activity concentration in moose muscles and also coincides with the hunting season.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Uptake of radiocesium by mushrooms.

After the Chernobyl accident in April 1986 the 134Cs, 137Cs and 40K activity of mushrooms of different genera and their corresponding soils from woods located in the province of Umbria (Italy) was determined. The results indicated: a temporally increasing trend for 137Cs up to a "limit value" depending on local fallout in 1986; different cesium concentrations in various mushroom genera; and uptake of potassium from soil that did not appear to compete with cesium uptake. No reliable correlation can be inferred between the cesium content of the soil and those of mushrooms.

Accidents↗
PubMed1991

Concentrations of radiocesium and potassium in basidiomycetes collected in Japan.

Concentrations of 137Cs, 134Cs and 40K in about 60 mushroom samples (fruit bodies of basidiomycetes) belonging to 25 species collected in Japan have been studied. The levels of 137Cs varied very widely, ranging from less than 3 to 1520 Bq kg-1 (dry wt), while those of 40K were relatively constant. Concentrations of 137Cs in common edible mushrooms of Japan such as Lentinus edodes, Flammulina velutipes, Pleurotus ostreatus and Pholiota nameko were low (normally less than 50 Bq kg-1, dry wt). Concentrations of 134Cs in many samples were below the limit of detection (usually less than 5 Bq kg-1, dry wt). The median concentrations of 137Cs and 40K were 41 (dry wt) and 1150 Bq kg-1 (dry wt), respectively. From the 137Cs/40K ratios it was found that cesium rather than potassium was selectively taken up from the soils by fungi such as Suillus granulatus and Lactarius hatsudake. The 134Cs/137Cs ratios in mushrooms are related to the depth of the mycelium in the soil. The effective dose equivalent due to the dietary intake of radiocesium through mushrooms was estimated to be only 1.6 x 10(-7) Sv.

Basidiomycota↗
PubMed1991

The radioecological consequences for lowland pastures used to fatten upland sheep contaminated with radiocaesium.

Current farming practice in upland areas of Cumbria, England, affected by Chernobyl fallout is to remove lambs to lowland pastures for fattening prior to slaughter. The radiocaesium (137Cs and 134Cs) burden of lambs is rapidly lost via excreta deposited on the pasture. This may increase the radiocaesium activities in vegetation of these pastures. Studies were performed to assess the radioecological consequences of this practice. Results obtained from experiments were used to calibrate a soil/vegetation model which was used to predict long-term radiocaesium behavior.

Accidents↗
PubMed1991

The gastrointestinal absorption of the actinide elements.

The greatest uncertainty in dose estimates for the ingestion of long-lived, alpha-emitting isotopes of the actinide elements is in the values used for their fractional absorption from the gastrointestinal tract (f1 values). Recent years have seen a large increase in the available data on actinide absorption. Human data are reviewed here, together with animal data, to illustrate the effect on absorption of chemical form, incorporation into food materials, fasting and other dietary factors, and age at ingestion. The f1 values recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection, by an Expert Group of the Nuclear Energy Agency and by the National Radiological Protection Board are discussed.

Actinoid Series Elements↗
PubMed1992

Efficiency of measures aimed at decreasing the contamination of agricultural products in areas contaminated by the Chernobyl NPP accident.

The sequence of agricultural countermeasures taken in the Polessye area of the Ukraine contaminated by radionuclides as a result of the Chernobyl NPP accident is discussed. The efficiency of these countermeasures has been analysed. The concentration of 137Cs in crops has been shown to vary 10-100-fold, depending on the biological features of the plant species and on soil properties. Liming and mineral fertilizing of meadows increase the yield of grass and reduce 137Cs transfer to cows' milk up to 3.5-fold.

Accidents↗
PubMed1993

Implementation of a radiochemical procedure for the analysis of isotopes of Pu, Am and Cm in food and environmental samples.

A radiochemical procedure for the analysis of isotopes of Pu, Am and Cm was implemented during an expert mission to Thailand sponsored by the International Atomic Energy Agency. This method was to be used for the analysis of food and environmental samples, particularly those of marine origin. The project was initiated by evaluating a procedure which had recently been published by the IAEA. This procedure could not handle the wide range of matrix materials used in the testing and a program was undertaken to develop a modified procedure. Plutonium was radiochemically separated using an anion exchange procedure which gives clean separations from the matrix. Americium and curium came off the column unseparated from most of the other elements in the matrix and they were separated by using a number of steps, which were selected to handle the specific chemical and radiochemical interferences in a particular matrix material. Sources were prepared for alpha spectrometry by coprecipitation with CeF3. The procedure was tested with a wide variety of sample types and good chemical yields and separations were obtained in most cases.

Americium↗
PubMed1993

Effectiveness of countermeasures applied in Belarus to produce milk and meat with acceptable levels of radiocaesium after the Chernobyl accident.

Countermeasures taken in Belarus to reduce transfer of radiocaesium from feeds to animals have combined live monitoring and monitoring of radiocaesium (137Cs and 134Cs) in bulk milk on dairy farms with the setting of upper limits for radionuclide contents for animal feeds. Only uncontaminated feeds have been used in the final fattening of animals before slaughter. Combined with widespread soil management programmes these measures have allowed the continued use of the majority of contaminated agricultural lands without substantial changes in farming practices.

Accidents↗
PubMed1993

Chemical methods for reduction of the transfer of radionuclides to farm animals in semi-natural environments.

The same chemicals can be used for reduction of radionuclide transfer to animals whether kept on farms or grazing in semi-natural and natural habitats. However, different techniques are required for administration of the active compounds. Dairy ruminants may be treated effectively by inclusion of chemicals in supplemental concentrates. Practical experience gained after the Chernobyl accident has shown that both clay minerals and hexacyanoferrates are effective in preventing high radiocaesium levels in animal products. Chemicals such as bentonite clays and CaCO3, used for reduction of 137Cs and 90Sr transfer respectively, must be fed in hectogram quantities and are only practical for dairy animals in semi-natural ecosystems. Salt licks and sustained release boli with hexacyanoferrates as caesium binders have been developed and used successfully after the Chernobyl accident for meat producing cattle, sheep and reindeer which graze freely for extended periods. Daily doses of 25-300 mg in sheep and 250-2000 mg in cows reduces 137Cs accumulation 2-10-fold. Binders for 90Sr have not been tested in grazing animals. Stable iodine could be provided in salt licks and indwelling rumen boli at rates required to block radioiodine uptake by the thyroid gland. Boli and salt licks are highly cost effective in reducing doses to man when compared to interdiction of food from farm animals.

Aluminum Silicates↗
PubMed1993

Management methods of reducing radionuclide contamination of animal food products in semi-natural ecosystems.

Countermeasures involving changes in management practices which are suitable for use in semi-natural ecosystems are described. Most of the relevant information relates to radio-caesium, but the applicability for some other radionuclides has also been evaluated. Improved live-monitoring techniques for radiocaesium, developed since the Chernobyl accident, allow the identification of animals whose contamination levels exceed the intervention limits, so that countermeasures can be effectively chosen and targeted. Generally the most effective approach for domesticated and semi-domesticated animals is either to remove contaminated animals from the affected area or to provide uncontaminated feed. Uncontaminated feed is given continuously for dairy animals or in the final fattening stages for meat-producing animals. The introduction of other effective changes in management practices, such as changing hunting seasons for game, or slaughtering at a time of year when the animals have been grazing on less contaminated herbage, depends on a good understanding of the behaviour of radionuclides in these ecosystems. In practice, the most effective countermeasures which can used to reduce radionuclide contamination of animals in semi-natural ecosystems will be obtained by a combination of both management changes and the use of chemical binders to prevent gut absorption.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1994

Dietary intake evaluation and dosimetric modelling for the Techa River residents based on in vivo measurements of strontium-90 in teeth and skeleton.

Explanations are given for the models and algorithms that are utilised to reconstruct the doses due to the incorporation of 90Sr in the inhabitants of the Techa riverside villages. A model for the 90Sr accumulation and excretion in the tooth enamel is employed to derive the relative intakes of 90Sr in the years 1950-1959. The measurements of beta-ray activity on the surface of the front teeth of persons born between 1940-1959 are used to derive the relative intakes in different calendar years and the transfer functions to the tooth enamel as a function of age. This derivation is based on a non-linear optimisation algorithm, to fit the observed average count rates for different birth cohorts in a village. The data for the village of Muslyumovo are used as the reference data set. Absolute values of the strontium intake are derived from the relative values by a fit to the measurements of the 90Sr body burdens that were performed after 1974. A model has been developed for the age-dependent metabolism of strontium in the skeleton. The computations in terms of this model are in reliable agreement with experimental data on strontium in man.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

The transfer of cesium-137 and strontium-90 from soil to food crops after the Chernobyl accident.

The soil to plant transfer of 137Cs and 90Sr was studied at seven locations in Finland over 4 and 2 years, respectively. The plant/soil concentration ratio of 137Cs for field crops in the southern area (60 degrees-63 degrees N) ranged from 0.001 to 0.26 and in the northern area (64 degrees-67 degrees N) from 0.01 to 2.29, and that of 90 Sr in the whole area from 0.02 to 2.44. The mean concentration ratio of 90Sr was about nine times higher than that of 137Cs in the southern area. The concentration ratio of 137Cs for leaf vegetables fluctuated between years, and that for carrot, potato and especially cereals decreased gradually after the first year. In the fourth year, the mean concentration ratio of 137Cs in the southern area was about 60% of the first year value for coarse mineral soils and 80% of that for clay and silt soils. There was no difference in the average 90Sr ratios between the 2 years studied. The concentration ratio of 137Cs was lower for clay and silt soils than for coarse mineral soils, and the 90Sr ratio was lowest for organic soils. The concentration ratio of 137Cs for vegetables and grain decreased in the order: lettuce, cabbage > carrot, potato > cereals, onion; for fruits in the order: blackcurrant > strawberry > apple, and the concentration ratio of 90Sr decreased in the order: lettuce, cabbage > carrot, onion > cereals > potato.

Cesium Radioisotopes↗
PubMed1994

Concentration of 210Po and 210Pb in the diet at the Marshall Islands.

The concentrations of 210Po and 210Pb have been determined in many local foods consumed by societies residing on different atolls in the Marshall Islands. The average daily intake of these two naturally occurring radionuclides from local and imported food is estimated to be 2.18 and 0.36 Bq, respectively. Local foods contribute 87% of the 210Po and 47% of the 210Pb associated with the diet. The items contributing the majority of the activity to the diet are derived from the marine environment and include parts of fish, invertebrates, seabirds and eggs of seabirds. The committed effective dose from ingestion of 210Po and 210Pb is approximately 2 mSv/year (200 mrem/year). This pathway now contributes 83% of the natural background irradiation received by residents in the Marshall Islands. Because the naturally occurring radionuclides are omnipresent in terrestrial and marine foods at all atolls, the annual intake and computed dose can be considered as typical values for individuals with comparable diets and inhabiting other islands in the Pacific.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Investigations of the potential bioavailability of 210Po in some foodstuffs.

Extraction of 210Po from lamb's liver, pig's kidneys, mussel flesh and brown crabmeat with a series of solvent systems has been used to gain some insight into the uncertainty about the gastrointestinal absorption factor for Po incorporated into foodstuffs. By extracting the tissues with diethyldithiocarbamate dissolved in chloroform, and also in methanol, it has been shown that 210Po is more effectively extracted from lamb's liver and crabmeat than it is from each of the other tissues. A similar pattern of extractability is also evident for aqueous solutions of citric acid on crabmeat and mussel flesh. Of particular note is the low extractability by dimethylsulphoxide (3%) of 210Po in mussel flesh as opposed to 24% extractability of 210Po from crabmeat. 210Po-binding macromolecules of about 10 kDa have been released from crabmeat and mussel flesh by digestion with pepsin.

Biological Availability↗
PubMed1990

Perceptions of risk, dilemmas of policy: nuclear fallout in Swedish Lapland.

This paper concerns risk perceptions of Swedish Saami reindeer herders in conjunction with the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Focus is also placed upon their experiences of damage and their efforts to deal with these problems. Data relating to these social aspects of the Chernobyl event come from interviews with members of Saami herding families. The initial governmental policy of establishing a simple contamination limit for the marketability of all foodstuffs was beset with shortcomings. I propose that all contaminated foods should be labeled with contamination specifications along a fully graded scale. In addition, there should be consumer education and recommendations for the entire population, not just one segment. An absolutely necessary step in the construction of valid policies is the health calibration of low-dose radiation. Without such knowledge, any marketability limit is suspect. With such knowledge, policy can be firmly based on human health.

Abattoirs↗