The Impact of Chernobyl Fallout on the Southern Saami Reindeer Herders of Norway in 1996

Abstract

The reindeer-herding Southern Saamis, from Central Norway, were the population group exposed to the highest levels of radioactivity in Norway, following the Chernobyl accident. Radiocesium whole-body contents and dietary habits have been investigated regularly in this population group since 1987. Meat of semi-domesticated reindeer is important in their diet, and earlier studies have shown that contaminated reindeer meat contributes about 90% to the total intake of radiocesium. A major part of the group also consumes wild food products like game, freshwater fish, mushrooms, and berries. The application of countermeasures has been a common practice for the reindeer herders since the Chernobyl accident. According to the interviews in 1996, the three most commonly used and socially accepted countermeasures were (1) selection of reindeer for consumption after live monitoring of radiocesium concentrations; (2) selection of reindeer for consumption from less contaminated grazing areas; and (3) clean feeding of animals before slaughtering. Despite these countermeasures about one third of the population still have reduced reindeer meat intake because of the Chernobyl fallout. In 1996, the average whole body concentration of 137Cs for this population was found to be 88+/-7 Bq kg(-1) for women and 164+/-11 Bq kg(-1) for men(arithmetic mean +/- standard error). This is approximately half of the whole-body concentration of 137Cs measured in the same population in 1990-1991.

Chernobyl radioactivity persists in reindeer

“…4), was reported by Å hman et al (2001) for an area of northern Sweden receiving less Chernobyl fallout. Furthermore, indications of significantly slower rates of decline from 1996 onwards have been noted from whole body measurements of the Saami population in central Norway in 1996, 1999(Mehli et al, 2000Thørring et al, 2004).…”

Mushrooms traded as food. Vol II sec. 1

“…Thus, as the short-lived pool accounts for 60-70% of Cs excreted in milk, radiocaesium activity in milk is a sensitive indicator of radiocesium intake. Mehli et al (2000) investigated the impact of Chernobyl fallout on the southern saami reindeer herders in 1996, which is a population group exposed to the highest levels of radioactivity in Norway. Meat of reindeers is important in their diet and a major part of the group also consumes wild food products like game, freshwater fish, mushrooms and berries.…”

How long is long-term? reflections based on over 20 years of post-Chernobyl management in Norway

“…This follow-up is important for reassurance of the people, particularly due to the uncertainties in the Linear No Threshold (LNT) model which means that experts cannot give people a good answer to the risk from low doses. Including whole body counting (WBC) in such a programme may make the contamination situation more tangible and controllable for the population (Mehli et al, 2000). WBC would also give people their individual exposure values that could greatly differ from average values (see Fig.…”