Countermeasures for Radiocesium in Animal Products in Norway after the Chernobyl Accident-Techniques, Effectiveness, and Costs

Abstract

Nine years after the reactor accident in Chernobyl contamination by radiocesium is still a significant problem in sheep and reindeer production in Norway. To reduce the impact of the accident, effective countermeasures had to be developed and implemented. The levels of radiocesium in meat were reduced by a combination of countermeasures such as special feeding, use of cesium binders (bentonite and Prussian blue), and changing of slaughtering time. The countermeasures were labor intensive and expensive. Costs per averted dose per person-Sv were calculated to range from NOK 1,000 to 100,000 (7 NOK = $1 U.S.), with the use of cesium binders being the least expensive and condemnation of meat the most costly. Dietary advice, which did not include any compensation costs, had a cost of NOK 40 per person-Sv. Apart from the rejection of meat in 1986, countermeasures were deemed to be justified on a cost-benefit basis (less than NOK 600,000 per person-Sv).

Environmental consequences of the chernobyl accident and their remediation: twenty years of experience. Report of the chernobyl forum expert group ‘environment’

“…For use in extensive systems, the boli can be given a protective surface coating of wax to delay the onset of AFCF release, so that effectiveness is increased at the time when animals are collected for slaughter (Hansen et al 1996). Brynildsen et al (1996) estimated that the use of boli as a countermeasure for sheep was 2.5 times as cost effective as feeding with uncontaminated feed. Salt licks containing AFCF have also been used, but are less effective (Hove 1993).…”

Annex A. Historical experience of long-term contaminated areas

“…(A 40) The Chernobyl fallout in Norway was significant and had serious agricultural consequences (Brynildsen et al, 1996;Tveten et al, 1998). As the geographical extent and the potential long-term consequences of the fallout emerged during the summer of 1986, the Government passed a resolution regarding compensation for all farmers and other producers for economic losses due to the mitigating actions.…”

Sustainable restoration and long-term management of contaminated rural, urban and industrial ecosystems

“…Hexacyanoferrate boli have also been used in contaminated areas of the fSU. Radiocaesium binders were estimated to be the least expensive of the post-Chernobyl countermeasures used in Norway [2]. Therefore, we could conclude that AFCF-boli are an efficient countermeasure which should be used in any future accidental release of radiocaesium.…”

“…The applicability of most measures to other areas has not been critically assessed. Furthermore, countermeasure research has largely focused on the effectiveness of individual methods, although some attention has been given to comparative cost per unit of averted dose [2] and recent attempts have been made to consider factors affecting practicability of countermeasures such as feasibility, capacity, acceptability, and environmental side-effects [3][4][5]. There has been little attempt to combine these individual countermeasures within sustainable restoration strategies for contaminated areas.…”