Radiation biology. Radioecology
ISSN: 0869-8031

Archives → 2021 → V. 61. № 6 → pp. 652-663

Article

Radiological Justification of Reference Levels of ¹³⁷Cs Concentrations in Fodder of Agricultural Animals

S. V. Fesenko¹, N. N. Isamov¹, P. V. Prudnikov², E. S. Emlyutina¹

¹Russian Research Institute of Radiology and Agroecology, Obninsk, Russia ²BryanskagrokhimRadiology, Bryansk, Russia

Abstract

An approach to the justification of the ¹³⁷Cs reference levels in animal fodders based on consideration of a stochastic nature of parameters of ¹³⁷Cs transfer to fodders, milk and meat of cattle is presented. It is shown that ¹³⁷Cs concentrations in milk and meat when this concentration of ¹³⁷Cs in the fodder are at the reference’ levels adopted in the Russian Federation being ensured milk safety but does not guaranteed meeting of hygienic limits for ¹³⁷Cs concentrations in meat for most types of animal diets. The comparative analysis of the world and Russian data on the parameters of ¹³⁷Cs transfer from fodder to animal products has been carried out. Based on the approach presented the ¹³⁷Cs reference levels in fodders used for keeping dairy and meat cattle in the contaminated territory after the Chernobyl accident have been suggested. The application of these reference levels ensures obtaining of safe animal products for typical animal feeding rations. The implementation of the suggested reference levels may allow optimization of livestock technologies in the areas of the Russian Federation contaminated after the Chernobyl accident.

Keywords

Chernobyl accident, reference levels, cattle, milk, meat, coefficients of transfer from feed to livestock products