Radiation monitoring of foodstuffs and drinking water in the vicinity of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (People’s Republic of Bangladesh)

Abstract

The system of radiation monitoring of local foodstuffs and drinking water in the settlements of the area of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant was developed. An analysis of the results of a 4-year (2014–2017) cycle of studies on the assessment of the specific activity of natural (40K, 226Ra, 232Th) and artificial (90Sr, 137Cs) radionuclides in the components of the diet of the population of the 30-km zone of influence of the nuclear power plant is presented. Thus, the specific activity of the most radiologically significant 137Cs in cow's milk averages 0.05 Bq.L−1, beef − 0.14, poultry − 0.09, and fish − 0.15 Bq.kg−1. In cereals, the 137Cs content varies in the range 0.2–0.6, vegetables 0.03–0.11, fruits 0.05–0.1 Bq.kg−1 and is determined by the species characteristics of crops. It was noted that 90Sr accumulates in food products to a greater extent than 137Cs. In livestock production, this difference is 1.2–6.8 times, fish 1.5 times, grain 1.2–4.2, vegetables 1.5–8.2, fruits 1.8–5.8 times. In drinking water, the specific activity of 137Cs is at the level of 0.05, 90Sr − 0.03, 3H − 1.3 Bq.L−1. The coefficients of accumulation of 90Sr and 137Cs in foodstuffs of animal and plant origin have been calculated.