Analysis of radiouclide contamination of forestry products on the territory of Ukraine 2013–2019

Abstract

The analysis of the results of radiological studies of food and feed conducted by the specialists of the state laboratories of the State Consumer Service for 2013–2019 is performed. The analyzed results show that in the territories assigned to the radiation contamination zones, samples with a radionuclide content exceeding the maximum admissible levels of 137Cs and 90Sr are constantly detected. Even 33 years after the Chernobyl accident, the specific activity of 137Cs in mushrooms and berries remains high. Specialists of the state laboratories of the State Consumer Service during this period carried out radiological examinations of food and feed for the contents of 137Cs and 90Sr. Exceedance of the maximum permissible levels (DR) of 137Cs was detected in 3.253 samples, of which 1.277 were fresh mushrooms and yagi and 729 were dried and dried mushrooms and berries. It is established that forest mushrooms and berries (fresh and dried) are the critical dose-forming foods, accounting for the largest proportion of about 62 % of the total positive samples. A much better situation was observed in detecting an excess of DR 90Sr. During the study period, contamination of 90Sr food and feed is of a single nature. The dynamics of detecting excesses of DR 137Cs in forest mushrooms and berries (fresh and dried) for 2013–2019 have significant fluctuations related to environmental conditions and the multidirectional migration of man-made radionuclides in forest ecosystems. The use, even in small quantities, of forest origin products with a maximum specific activity of 137Cs can play a significant role in the internal exposure of long-lived radionuclide to the local population. Therefore, the largest proportion of forest food products (62 %) is in the balance of radionuclide-contaminated products during the last seven years. (2013–2019) and other products and feeds are the basis for further radiological control by their state laboratories of the State Consumer Service.

Radiation Situation in the Contaminated Territories of Ukraine in the Post-Chornobyl Period From 2013 to 2022

“…-7 % (9 samples) of the total number of samples with higher content (128) for the year in the Rivne region. 34.2% (151 samples) was the highest number of samples with 137 Cs radionuclide content higher than permissible level in The Polesie region, one of the most affected areas because of the Chornobyl disaster, had 80% of samples with 137 Cs radionuclide content higher than permissible level due to animal products consumed by people (Kotelevich, 2017;Malimon, 2020).…”

Food quality and safety as the keys to the health of future generations

“…Вчені (Romanchuk et al, 2016;Hudkov, 2021;Kovalova et al, 2021) наголошують, що будь-яка доза є небезпечною для здоров'я людини. Особливо небезпечними є радіонукліди, які надходять в організм з їжею (Malimon et al, 2020;Vinokurova et al, 2020). Ця проблема є дуже важливою, оскільки радіоактивний Стронцій-90 може замінювати в організмі стабільний Кальцій і відкладатися в кістках, а Цезій-137 -стабільний Калій і відкладатися в м'язах.…”

Factors affecting the minimum detected activity of the GAMMAVISION software report protocol

“…На спектрометрах з сцинтиляційними блоками детектування, в яких визначається відповідність виміряної активності контрольним рівням (NRBU-97/D-2000;Kirkpatrick et al, 2013;Malіmon et al, 2020), вирішуються сертифікаційні задачі для чотирьох радіонуклідів ( 137 Cs, 40 K, 226 Ra, 232 Th). Для деяких випадків ці рівні знаходяться поблизу нульової активності, виникає питання, яка може бути присутня найменша активність, що не виявляється в аналізі -мінімально детектована активність (МДА), які фактори впливають на її визначення.…”