title: Radioactivity in breast milk and placentas during the year after Chernobyl.
abstract: After the April 1986 nuclear reactor accident at Chernobyl in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, samples of human placenta and breast milk were tested for 1 year to determine the levels of radioactivity. The radionuclide iodine 131 was never beyond the detection limit of our gamma detector for both matrices. As to cesium isotopes 134 and 137, the highest levels detected in breast milk (6 Bq.L-1) and placenta (15.8 Bq.kg-1) were recorded in March 1987. Study data for breast milk and placenta are in agreement with the values calculated by means of double-compartment food-milk and food-placenta models. With regard to placental content, the cesium contribution to the average dose during the year after the Chernobyl accident was calculated to be 40 to 60 microSv.
authors.affiliation: Third Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gori
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cama
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Guerresi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cocchi
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dalla Casa
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gattavecchia
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ghini
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tonelli
mesh_terms: D000062:Accidents, Occupational; D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000032:analysis*; D009688:Nuclear Reactors; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010920:Placenta / Q000032:analysis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013997:Time Factors; D014586:USSR
chemical_list: D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes