Harmonisation of standards for permissible radionuclide activity concentrations in foodstuffs in the long term after the Chernobyl accident

Abstract

The article critically examines the practice of post-Chernobyl standardisation of radionuclide concentrations (mainly Cs andSr) in food products (FPs) in the USSR and the successor countries of Belarus, Russia and Ukraine. Recommendations are given on potential harmonisation of these standards of radionuclide concentrations in FPs among the three countries, taking into account substantial international experience. We propose to reduce the number of product groups for standardisation purposes from the current amount of several dozens to three to five groups to optimise radiation control and increase the transparency of the process. We recommend five product groups for the standardisation of Cs and three groups forSr in food in radiocontaminated areas. The values of standards for individual product groups are recommended to be set proportionally to the measured specific activity in each of these groups, which will reduce unreasonable food rejection. The standards might be set for the entire country, and could be also used to control imports from other countries as well as exports to other countries. The developed recommendations were transferred in 2015-2016 to the regulatory authorities of the three countries.

Mapping of radionuclide-contaminated agricultural land to make them available for use

“…Критеріями переходу постраждалих територій та населення до умов нормального життя (по радіологічному фактору) в даний час в Україні є неперевищення доз опромінення населення та радіоактивного забруднення продуктів харчування [5]. При поверненні в господарське використання сільськогосподарських угідь, щільність забруднення їх радіонуклідами має відповідати вищенаведеним критеріям, а вирощена на них продукція допустимим рівням вмісту радіонуклідів у продуктах харчування (ДР-2006) [6].…”

Large-scale sampling and radioactivity analysis of agricultural soil and food during nuclear emergencies in Japan: Variations over time in foodstuffs inspection and sampling

“…After the Chernobyl accident, such standards, called temporary permissible levels (TPLs) of radionuclides in foodstuffs, were implemented at both the national and international levels (Alexakhin et al, 2007;Balonov et al, 2018). The national standards, implemented in the most affected countries, such as Belarus, Russia and Ukraine, were stricter than the international standards because they assumed that all food produced in the affected regions was consumed locally.…”

“…These temporary permissible levels for radionuclides in food were implemented in the Chernobylaffected countries not only for the inspection of radionuclide concentrations in the foodstuffs but also to encourage the producers to apply maximum efforts in the reduction of radionuclide concentrations in foodstuffs (Balonov et al, 2018). The corresponding guideline levels for radionuclides in foods were also implemented for international trade by the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex Alimentarius Commission, 2006).…”