Transfer of radiocaesium via reindeer meat to man — effects of countermeasures applied in Sweden following the Chernobyl accident

Abstract

Since the Chernobyl nuclear accident, considerable efforts have been made in Sweden to reduce radiocaesium intake via food by the general population. Countermeasures have been concentrated especially on reindeer husbandry. In this investigation, radiocaesium intake via reindeer meat was estimated, and the corresponding collective radiation dose to humans was calculated for the first 10 years following the Chernobyl fallout. The transfer of radiocaesium and the collective human dose were compared with the potential transfer and corresponding dose that would have occurred in the absence of intervention limits and countermeasures. According to the estimates, the collective dose due to consumption of reindeer meat for the first year after the Chernobyl accident (May 1986–April 1987) was reduced from 193 manSv (potential dose) to below 3 manSv (actual dose). The cost of this was 117 million SEK (15 million USD). Thanks to the continuous reduction of radiocaesium in reindeer pasture, both the potential and actual dose decreased with time. For the reindeer slaughter period from July 1995 to June 1996, the potential dose was estimated at 18 manSv and the actual dose 7 manSv. The total expenditure on control and countermeasures for the 1995–1996 period amounted to 17 million SEK (2 million USD).