CURRENT STATE OF THE 137CS MILK POLLUTION IN SETTLEMENTS OF RIVNE REGION AND VILLAGE NARODYCHI ZHYTOMYR REGION

Abstract

The article analyses the results of selective monitoring of 137Cs content in milk from private households in the village of Narodychi, Zhytomyr region, and 14 settlements of Rivne region. A total of 213 milk samples were collected and analysed in 2023 in the Rivne region and about 30 in Narodychi. The analysis of the milk samples for 137Cs content showed that the contamination of this livestock product with 137Cs has complex dynamics. In most settlements of the monitoring network, the average values of 137Cs contamination in whole milk exceed the hygienic standards (PL-2006 - 100 Bq/l). 70% of milk samples recorded an exceedance of the permissible level. The highest activity concentration of this radionuclide (350 Bq/l) was observed in Stare Selo. Seasonal changes in the activity concentration of the radionuclide in milk were also observed. During the stall period, the activity concentration of milk with 137Cs ranged from less than 2 to 88 Bq/l. However, during the grazing period, the level of milk contamination with 137Cs increased to 100-350 Bq/l. Recent studies have shown a steady decrease in milk radioactivity. Nevertheless, without countermeasures, the reduction of 137Cs accumulation and transfer to milk will be mainly due to the physical decay of the radionuclide. The mineral part has likely exhausted its absorption capabilities for the natural processes, and therefore, it will not affect the reduction of milk contamination.