title: Sample size allocation for food item radiation monitoring and safety inspection.
abstract: The objective of this study is to identify a procedure for determining sample size allocation for food radiation inspections of more than one food item to minimize the potential risk to consumers of internal radiation exposure. We consider a simplified case of food radiation monitoring and safety inspection in which a risk manager is required to monitor two food items, milk and spinach, in a contaminated area. Three protocols for food radiation monitoring with different sample size allocations were assessed by simulating random sampling and inspections of milk and spinach in a conceptual monitoring site. Distributions of (131)I and radiocesium concentrations were determined in reference to (131)I and radiocesium concentrations detected in Fukushima prefecture, Japan, for March and April 2011. The results of the simulations suggested that a protocol that allocates sample size to milk and spinach based on the estimation of (131)I and radiocesium concentrations using the apparent decay rate constants sequentially calculated from past monitoring data can most effectively minimize the potential risks of internal radiation exposure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Information and Computer Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Nara Women's University, Kita-Uoya Nishimachi, Nara, 630-8506, Japan.
authors.forename: Mayumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Seto
authors.forename: Koichiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Uriu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis; D005504:Food Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D005507:Food Contamination, Radioactive / Q000517:prevention & control*; D062406:Fukushima Nuclear Accident; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis; D007564:Japan; D008892:Milk; D011336:Probability; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D011868:Radioisotopes; D012107:Research Design; D012449:Safety; D018401:Sample Size; D018724:Spinacia oleracea
chemical_list: D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D011868:Radioisotopes
keywords: Food safety and inspection; radioactive contamination; stochastic risk assessment