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Reprinted from
RADIOLOGICAL MONITORING OF THE ENVIRONMENT
Proceedings of a Conference organized by The Joint Health
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Physics Committee and the Central Electricity Generating
Board; held at Berkeley, Gloucestershire
October 1963
PERGAMON PRESS
OXFORD - LONDON - EDINBURGH : NEW YORK
:
40
PARIS - FRANKFURT
1965
RADIOACTIVITY IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
AND ITS ASSESSMENT BY ENVIRONMENTAL
,
7944
A
SURVEY
R. Scotr RUSSELL
Agricultural Research Council Radiobiological Laboratory,
Letcombe Regis, Wantage, Berkshire
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tl. INTRODUCTION
There is general agreement that the primary purpose of surveys of radio-
activity in agricultural products near nuclear establishments is to ascertain
whether radioactive substances have been discharged to an extent which
has, or may in the future, deliver an unacceptable radiation dose to neigh-
bouring members of the population. This requirement can, however, be
interpreted in many ways; there could be little better evidence of this than
the contrasting procedures which have been used in different areas. Some-
times, extensive measurements of the total alpha, beta and gammaactivities
on the ground, in foodstuffs and in water have been undertaken; sometimes,
almost every local product on the shelves of the supermarket has been
examined for many nuclides and the report on the year’s activities may
cover some 200 pages or more; sometimes, attention has been confined
almost entirely to only a few nuclides in a very few foods. If it is concluded
that relatively modest surveys provide adequate information it must follow
that much effort has on occasions been squandered. Nocriticism of past
activities is implied by this conclusion; indeed, if, as will be here suggested,
adequate information can be obtained byrelatively simple methods, this is
largely a result of experience gained laboriously at an earlier time.
The basic principles of surveys are determined in part by the criteria for
radiation protection and in part by the manner in which radioactive
materials behave in food chains. These questions will, therefore, be
considered before suggestions are made on the practical aspects of survey
procedures.
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BASIS OF RADIATION PROTECTION CRITERIA
The derivation of numerical values for assessing environmental contami-
nation is outside this discussion.” It is important, however, to clarify some
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