Background: Measures to protect the public following an accidental release
of radionuclides to the environment will depend on the circumstances including
the extent of the potential hazards. The projected levels of risk are an
important precondition in emergency planning. The levels can be expressed in
terms of concentration levels in the environment or in foodstuffs. These derived
intervention levels (DILs) can be determined for the range of important
radionuclides that could be released to the environment in the event of a
nuclear accident. Materials and Methods: Derived intervention levels for
90Sr, 131I, 134Cs + 137Cs, 238Pu
+ 239Pu + 241Am and 103Ru + 106Ru
radionuclide groups were calculated for infants (<1 year) and adults (>17 years)
for mostly consumed foodstuffs in Iran. Calculations of DILs were based on
recommendations from international, national organizations and average food
consumption rate data for Iran. Results: From our research it was found
that DILs for foodstuffs consumed in Iran for above mentioned radionuclide
groups except for Ruthenium group are equal to 387, 250, 1023 and 2.8 Bqkg-1
respectively. Conclusion: The comparison of DILs for foodstuffs consumed
in Iran and DILs adopted in the new food and drug administration (FDA)
Compliance Policy Guide (CPG) which are 160, 170, 1200, 2 Bq.kg-1 for
90Sr, 131I, 134/137Cs, 238/239Pu
plus 241Am radionuclide groups respectively, shows agreement with
cesium and plutonium group and higher values for strontium and Iodine group. In
the case of nuclear accident or radiological events that might affect our
country calculated DILs can be used to prevent or reduce exposure due to
consumption of foodstuffs.
Fathivand A, Amidi J. Derived intervention levels for mostly consumed foodstuffs in Iran. Int J Radiat Res 2006; 4 (2) :99-103 URL: http://ijrr.com/article-1-230-en.html