Averted Doses to Norwegian Sámi Reindeer Herders after the Chernobyl Accident

Abstract

The Chernobyl fallout is an enduring challenge to reindeer husbandry in Norway, and South Sámi reindeer herders in central and southern Norway are as contaminated by (137)Cs as inhabitants close to Chernobyl. Therefore, Norwegian authorities continuously recommend to these reindeer herders the use of countermeasures to reduce their intake of (137)Cs. In this study, the authors have applied data on contamination levels in reindeer, results of dietary surveys, and whole body monitoring data in low and high contaminated areas to estimate the effectiveness of countermeasures and resulting averted doses to the reindeer herders. In the most contaminated area, the various countermeasures applied reduced radiocesium ingestion doses during 1986-2009 by about 73%, to an integrated dose of about 17 mSv. However, to comply with the recommended (137)Cs ingestion dose limit of 1 mSv y(-1), the study indicates that reindeer herders in the most contaminated areas will need to carry on with their countermeasures for another 10-15 y. Furthermore, the study indicates that whole body monitoring is an important tool to assess individual doses and countermeasure effectiveness in long-term management of a contamination situation and that such monitoring may be required to reach long-term reference levels.

ICRP Publication 146: Radiological Protection of People and the Environment in the Event of a Large Nuclear Accident

“…In both the Chernobyl and Fukushima accidents, freshwater fish also became contaminated due to direct deposition of radioactivity in lakes and rivers, and run-off from contaminated soil. (208) The monitoring of ingestion pathways is an important component of the protection of the public. Experience shows that maintaining radiological monitoring of foodstuffs in the long-term phase is useful to gradually restore the confidence of food distributors, retailers, and consumers inside and outside the affected areas (Strand et al., 1992; Skuterud and Thorring, 2012). In addition, the co-expertise process with the provision of monitoring devices to local communities for individuals to monitor radiation levels in local agricultural produce, food from private gardens, and food gathered from the wild (e.g.…”

Measurements of radiocesium in animals, plants and fungi in Svalbard after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster

“…Reindeer eat lichens, which take up a large amount of radiocesium, so are a likely source of radiocesium accumulation via the food chain. Accordingly, increases in the amount of radioactivity of 134 Cs and 137 Cs were observed in reindeer from Norway [9,10]. Radiocesium was also detected in reindeer from northern Canada, Alaska and Greenland [26].…”

“…Therefore, reindeers that eat solely lichens in the Arctic also take up large amounts of radiocesium through the lichens. Ultimately, the Sami people, who live in the Arctic and eat reindeers, take-up considerable amounts of radiocesium, which could present a significant health threat [9,10].…”

Environmental Health Surveillance for Health Risk Assessment Following Radionuclide Release

“…Due to radiation protection actions about 80% of the Swedish reindeer meat was destroyed the first years following the accident, and the slaughter had to be moved from winter season to summer, when browse was less contaminated. Middle aged reindeer herdsmen also received similar or even higher doses from the global fall-out during the 1950ies and 1960ies making them exposed twice [8]. According to population data from Statistics Sweden there are only about 700 reindeer herders by occupation in Sweden, which gives too low power for epidemiological analyses on cancer incidence, but a combined study from all Nordic countries might be possible.…”