ABSTRACT
The radiological impact of Chernobyl accident on the Italian population has been reassessed on the basis of the activity average values, measured in environmental and food matrices since 1986. The evaluation has been made taking into account the new risk estimates by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). Moreover, in order to compare the calculated doses with data from Whole Body Counter and to check models describing the time trend of radioactive contamination, the activity levels systematically measured in the Emilia Romagna district (Northern Italy) were considered. The dose assessment has been compared with the European one made by UNSCEAR (United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation).
Subject(s)
Power Plants , Radioactive Fallout/statistics & numerical data , Radioactive Hazard Release , Adult , Cesium Radioisotopes/analysis , Child , Environmental Exposure , Europe , Humans , Infant , Iodine Radioisotopes/analysis , Italy , Radiation Dosage , Radioisotopes/analysis , Thyroid Gland/radiation effects , Ukraine , United NationsABSTRACT
Several measures were adopted by European countries in the aftermath of the Chernobyl accident. In this paper these measures are reviewed and the European Communities initiatives for food marketing and exports are analyzed, together with the reference levels for radioactive concentration in the main food matrices chosen in different European countries in the very few days after the accident. A particular attention has been devoted to the emergency management in Italy, outlining exhaustively the laws enforced at the time of the accident and explaining how the reference levels for food contamination were chosen. Finally, a tentative balance about emergency management in Italy is struck and some questions are raised about the commitments undertaken or to be undertaken by international institutions.
Subject(s)
Disasters , Power Plants , Radioactive Hazard Release , Animals , Commerce , Dairy Products/analysis , Disaster Planning/legislation & jurisprudence , Europe , Food Contamination/analysis , Humans , Italy , Meat/analysis , Public Health/legislation & jurisprudence , Radiation Dosage , Radioactive Fallout/analysis , Radioactive Fallout/statistics & numerical data , Ukraine , Vegetables/chemistryABSTRACT
A study on caesium contamination in human milk, as a consequence of the Chernobyl fallout, was conducted in 1989 on a group of women from one of the areas of northern Italy most heavily affected by the radioactive fallout. Their diet was studied, and the caesium intake was calculated by using the mean food activity concentration in that area. The caesium transfer factor was evaluated both as the ratio of caesium concentration in mother's milk to the daily intake, and by using a simplified milk compartment model.