title: Options for managing foodstuffs contaminated with radiocesium and radiostrontium.
abstract: In the event of a future nuclear accident, foodstuffs with activity concentrations greater than specified intervention levels would be banned for human consumption. Three broad strategies could be used to manage such produce: in situ treatment, alternative uses, or disposal. This paper describes an assessment of the practicability of nine potential management options for contaminated arable crops for use in the UK. Practicability is affected by six factors: technical feasibility, capacity, cost, environmental impact, radiological impact, and acceptability. These were assessed quantitatively, where possible, through consultation with experts from a range of organizations, and a detailed radiological impact assessment was undertaken. Suggestions are made on the most practicable options for managing cereals, field-grown vegetables, and annual fruit contaminated with radiocesium and radiostrontium. Options are available for managing foodstuffs with activity concentrations of up to 8.3 x 10(4) Bq kg(-1) 134Cs, 2.1 x 10(5) Bq kg(-1) 137Cs, 7.7 x 10(8) Bq kg(-1) 89Sr and 3.0 x 10(5) Bq kg(-1) 90Sr, which are well in excess of those expected from design basis accidents.
authors.affiliation: National Radiological Protection Board, Didcot, Oxon, UK.
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Woodman
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Nisbet
mesh_terms: D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes; D005507:Food Contamination, Radioactive; D006801:Humans; D013326:Strontium Radioisotopes; D018505:Waste Management / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes; D013326:Strontium Radioisotopes