Radioactivity in total diet before and after the Chernobyl reactor accident. The situation in the Federal Republic of Germany
- PMID: 2781869
- DOI: 10.1007/BF01120445
Radioactivity in total diet before and after the Chernobyl reactor accident. The situation in the Federal Republic of Germany
Abstract
Radioactivity in total diet samples (1-day rations of adults) has been determined in the Federal Republic of Germany since 1960. Average intake of cesium-137 was 8.9 Bq per day and per person (Bq/d.p) in 1964, 0.15 in 1985, 4.2 in 1986, 7.2 in 1987, and 2.0 in 1988. Cesium-134, not measureable in pre-Chernobyl fallout, averaged 2.0 Bq/d.p in 1986, 3.0 in 1987, and 0.6 in 1988. Intake of strontium-90 was in the same range as in the years preceding the Chernobyl accident. It is estimated that the total effective equivalent dose for adults due to ingestion of Chernobyl-released radionuclides, including iodine-131, will be 0.14 +/- 0.08 mSv.