Investigation on levels of gross radioactivity in drinking water and 90Sr in food before and after operation of Sanmen Nuclear Power Plant / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the levels of gross radioactivity in drinking water and of 90Sr in food around Sanmen nuclear power plant (NPP) before and after operation. Methods:From 2012 to 2019, 7 drinking water monitoring sites were selected around the Sanmen NPP to collect source water, factory water and peripheral water, respectively, in order to measure and analyze the total radioactivity level in drinking water. Based on the dietary habits of local residents, 4 kinds of food such as grains, vegetables, freshwater fish and marine fish grown locally were sampled to measure and analyze the activity concentration of 90Sr. Results:Before the operation of Sanmen NPP, the total α radioactivity and total β radioactivity in drinking water around the NPP were 0.001-0.063 Bq/L and 0.019-0.210 Bq/L, respectively. After operation, the total α radioactivity and total β radioactivity were 0.001-0.084 Bq/L and 0.025-0.079 Bq/L, respectively. Both were lower than the national standard value given in the GB 5749-2006 " Sanitary standards for drinking water" . There was no significant change in the radioactivity level of source water, factory water and peripheral water during the wet and dry periods. The activity concentration of 90Sr in these four types of food ranged from 0.037 to 1.216 Bq/kg before operation and from 0.049 to 0.692 Bq/kg after operation, all lower than the standard value of " Standard for the concentration in radioactive substances in food" (GB 14882-94). Conclusions:Before and after the operation of Sanmen NPP, the total α and total β radioactivity in drinking water and 90Sr activity concentration in food are stable, below the national standard limit.