Review of Russian language studies on radionuclide behaviour in agricultural animals: part 2. Transfer to milk

Abstract

An overview of original information available from Russian language papers on radionuclide transfer to milk is provided. Most of the data presented have not been taken into account in international reviews. The transfer coefficient (F(m)) values for radioactive isotopes of strontium, caesium and iodine are in good agreement with those previously published. The Russian language data, often based on experiments with many animals, constitute a considerable increase to the available data for many less well-studied radionuclides. In some instances, the Russian language data suggest changes in recommended values (e.g. Zr and Ru). The information presented here substantially increases the amount of available data on radionuclide transfer to milk and will be included in the current revision of the IAEA TRS Handbook of parameter values for radionuclide transfer.

Verification of radionuclide transfer factors to domestic-animal food products, using indigenous elements and with emphasis on iodine

“…In the nuclear context, contamination arises from the dispersion of radionuclides in the environment, and these subsequently transfer from water, soil and air into food products. To evaluate radionuclide contamination of agriculture, extensive research has been done to measure substrate-to-food transfer factors (Beresford et al, 2000(Beresford et al, , 2006a(Beresford et al, ,b, 2008Fesenko et al, 2007aFesenko et al, ,b, 2009aHoward et al, 2007aHoward et al, ,b, 2009aVandecasteele et al, 2000;and citations therein). However, almost all of this work was done one radionuclide at a time and often in artificial experimental settings.…”

Review of Russian language studies on radionuclide behaviour in agricultural animals: 3. Transfer to muscle

“…A major source of the uncertainty in F f calculations, especially in the case of field or monitoring studies, is determination of the daily radionuclide intake (both in terms of amount ingested and obtaining samples of herbage that are representative of that consumed); variation in intake can also lead to deviations from equilibrium. Other details and limitations of these sources of information are described in the sister paper on transfer to milk (Fesenko et al, 2007b).…”

“…The first paper considered gut absorption (Fesenko et al, 2007a) and the second transfer to milk (Fesenko et al, 2007b). This paper considers the transfer to muscle and subsequently a paper on transfer to other tissues will be prepared.…”

Improving the quantity, quality and transparency of data used to derive radionuclide transfer parameters for animal products. 1. Goat milk

“…All Russian data were reviewed and modified if necessary to be consistent with the Fesenko series of papers (Fesenko et al 2007b.…”