Radioactivity analyses of food and drinking water in China following the Fukushima nuclear accident / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To summarize the analytical results of radioactivity in the food and drinking water nationwide following the Fukushima nuclear accident,and to evaluate its possible contamination to the public health in China.Methods According to the national standard methods and IAEA,FDA correlative references,the scheme was established on sampling and measurements in food and drinking water after the breakout of the accident.The quality control was requested on the sampling,analyses and data report.Results Trace artificial radioactive isotope of 131I was measured in spinach samples on 2 April 2011 in Beijing. Subsequently 131I was found in 10 kinds of growing leaves vegetables (open field)nationwide.The maximum detectable activity of 131I in vegetables was about 3.1 Bq/kg.Since 3 May 2011,the concentration of 131I has been below the detection limits.No artificial radionulide was detectable in all of milk,drinking water and marine products samples during March to December,2011.Conclusions The food and drinking water measurements in China following the Fukushima nuclear accident denoted that the minor amounts of 131I in vegetables might result in very low absorbed dose and induce no impact on human health.The maximum detectable activity of 131I in vegetables was close to that reported in European countries,and much less than that measured in China immediately after the Chernobyl accident in 1986.