RADIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF MEAT OF GAME AND DOSE ESTIMATION FOR HUNTERS AND MEMBERS OF THEIR FAMILIES

The paper describes dose estimation for hunters and members of their families due to radionuclides 90Sr and 137Cs in meat of game hunted in Lithuania during two hunting seasons: 2003–2004 and 2004–2005. Research in the Nordic countries showed higher activity concentrations of both radionuclides in meat of game and higher doses to public consuming this meat. The scope of this investigation is radiological measurements of meat samples of game and dose estimation for hunters and members of their families. Measurements show that activity concentrations of 90Sr in samples of meat of game are less than for 137Cs. An average activity concentration of 90Sr in all the samples of meat of game analysed was 0,06±0,03 Bq/kg, for 137Cs – 7,8±4,6 Bq/kg. The highest activity concentration of 137Cs was measured in the sample of meat of moose from Matuiza forest near Varena district, and it was 30,8±2,0 Bq/kg. It was estimated that an annual effective dose due to 90Sr in meat of game was in the range from 5,6·10–10 Sv to 3,6·10–8 Sv, due to 137Cs – in the range from 5,2·10–8 Sv to 3,3·10–6 Sv. The total dose due to 90Sr in meat of all the different kinds of game was 0,06 μSv, for 37Cs – 4,7 μSv. The results show that dose due to 137Cs in meat of game may be much higher than the total dose due to 90Sr and 137Cs in the whole daily food (1,3 μSv). This dose value was estimated for the public of Lithuania in 2005 and based on the results of food radiological monitoring at Radiation Protection Centre. The main conclusion drawn during this study is that radiological monitoring of meat of game is needed, and dose estimation based on the results of measurements is necessary to protect the public of Lithuania from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation. Medžiojamųjų gyvūnų mėsos radiologiniai tyrimai ir medžiotojų bei jų šeimų narių gautų apšvitos dozių įvertinimas Santrauka Nagrinėjama medžiojamosios gyvūnijos mėsos tarša dirbtinės kilmės ilgaamžiais radionuklidais 90Sr ir 137Cs bei įvertinama, kokią šių radionuklidų jonizuojančiosios spinduliuotės sukeltą apšvitos dozę gauna medžiotojai bei jų šeimos nariai. Remiantis Šiaurės šalių radiologiniais tyrimais, nustatyta, kad medžiojamųjų gyvūnų mėsoje yra palyginti didesni nei kitų, namų sąlygomis auginamų, gyvūnų mėsoje šių radionuklidų kiekiai, nes miško paklotėje šie radionuklidai yra migravę iki 20 cm gylio, kurį lengvai pasiekia augalijos šaknys. Per augaliją mitybos grandinėmis 90Sr ir 137Cs patenka į žmogaus organizmą, sukel