Radfood - A Dynamic Model for Radioactivity Transfer Through the Human Food Chain

Abstract

Radioactive fallout presents a short-term risk due to its direct deposition on agricultural crops, as well as a long-term risk resulting from its deposition on soil and subsequent uptake by crops. A dynamic model, RADFOOD, was developed, based on different existing models. It simulates transport of fallout radionuclides through agricultural food chains to man and evaluates the radiation doses resulting from consumption of contaminated food. Transport was modeled through compartments representing various environmental elements of food products. Internal radiation doses (whole-body weighted doses) following ingestion of contaminated foodstuffs were then estimated. Specific types of crops, soils and diet of man and livestock were considered. A sample calculation was performed in which individual and collective radiation doses, as well as associated health effects, resulting from fallout contamination were evaluated. They were estimated for food consumption beginning at various times after the fallout deposition and for different consumption durations. A sensitivity analysis, performed for the main model parameters, showed that the radiation dose is sensitive, for the short-term period, to changes in initial deposition levels and in the parameters characterizing initial fallout interception and resuspension.

A dynamic model for assessing radiological consequences of routine releases in the Loire river: parameterisation and uncertainty/sensitivity analysis

“…In this section, several sub-compartments of the environment were considered: (1) water, suspended matter and bed sediments; (2) fish; (3) soil layers; (4) atmosphere; (5) plant foliar surface; (6) consumable parts of plants; (7) animal products; (8) agricultural and human parameters. The equations of the OURSON model were not systematically detailed when they are not innovative versus existing models (Abbott and Rood, 1994;Boone et al, 1981;Koch and Tadmor, 1986;Mu¨ller and Pro¨hl, 1993;Simmons et al, 1995;Whicker and Kirchner, 1987;Zach and Sheppard, 1991;Zeevaert et al, 1995).…”

Homogeneous Liquid-Liquid Extraction of Uranium from Fission Products

“…Mo(VI) solutions were prepared by dissolving (ΝΗ 4 ) 6 Μο 7 0 24 Ή 2 0 in 1% NH 3 solution, which was then diluted with HN0 3 , and adjusted to 1 Μ HN0 3 .…”

“…After cooling, the walls of the vessel were rinsed with water and the solution evaporated again to white fumes. The residue was cooled and dissolved in a minimum amount of water with heating, and the solution made 1 M in HN0 3 .…”

“…RadioBrought to you by | New York University Bobst Library Technical Services Authenticated Download Date | 7/28/15 9:30 PM active fallout presents a short-term risk by its direct deposition on agricultural crops, as well as a longterm risk from its deposition on soil and subsequent uptake by crops. Contamination of agricultural food chains is one mechanism which causes irradiation of the population following the deposition of radioactive fallout in the environment [3].…”

A model for radiological consequences of nuclear power plant operational atmospheric releases

“…Existing dynamic radio-ecological models were primarily developed for nuclear power plant accidents; so, their databases generally include radionuclides which have prime importance for evaluating consequences of accidents (e.g., Koch and Tadmor, 1986;Whicker and Kirchner, 1987;Muller and Prohl, 1993). For chronic exposures, some radioisotopes like 14 C contribute significantly to the doses.…”