Radionuclides Content in Pasteurized Cow Milk: Dose Estimation.

Abstract

Results from the radiological monitoring of 46 pasteurized cow milks for the period of 2011-2015 are presented. The activity of 137Cs, 90Sr, 226Ra, 40K, 210Pb, 232Th and natural U was determined by gamma spectrometry for gamma emitters and by radiochemical separation for 90Sr. The maximum obtained results are 0.449±0.016 Bq/l (137Cs), 0.105±0.020 Bq/l (90Sr), 1.63±0.16 Bq/l (226Ra), 53.1±1.6 Bq/l (40K), 1.01±0.30 Bq/l (210Pb), 0.05±0.07 Bq/l (232Th) and 0.14±0.12 mg/l (natural U). Annual Effective Dose from the ingestion of above-mentioned radionuclides was estimated on the basis of the consumption for adults and children (1-2 y) applying two models-realistic and conservative. The values for the Ingestion Dose vary from 0.02 mSv/y to 0.05 mSv/y (adults, realistic model) and from 0.06 to 0.15 mSv/y (adults) and from 0.15 to 0.87 mSv/y (children 1-2 y old) from conservative model. For bought models, the main contribution to the Ingestion Dose, instead of 40K, is due to the 210Pb and 226Ra. Three hypotheses are given for the 226Ra content in pasteurized cow milk. The received results demonstrate the need of determination of artificial and natural radionuclides in cow milk.