Radioactivity: radionuclides in foods

Journal Article · Tue Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1977 · J. Assoc. Off. Anal. Chem.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5220240

Simpson, R E ^[1]; Baratta, E J; Jelinek, C F

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1. Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, MD

The results are summarized of the analysis for strontium-90, cesium-137, iodine-131, ruthenium-106, and potassium-40, a naturally occurring radionuclide, in samples of total diet and selected import commodities in the foods compliance program of the Food and Drug Administration. On the basis of the radionuclide intake guidelines established by the Federal Radiation Council (FRC), the low content of radionuclides found in the total diet samples for fiscal years 1973 and 1974 demonstrates the need for surveillance only at the present level. The low levels of radionuclides found in a limited number of edible imported commodities indicate that their contribution to the total diet would not increase the levels of these radionuclides above those recommended for only periodic surveillance by the FRC. The potassium levels, determined from potassium-40 activity, found in meats and fish agree with the value for normal muscle tissue for the reference man reported by the International Commission on Radiation Protection. Of the other commodities, nuts contained the highest levels, while sugar, beverages, and processed foods contained the lowest levels of potassium. Although cesium and potassium are chemical analogs with similar metabolic properties, because of their variable content in some leafy samples as a result of surface contamination, a correlation between cesium-137 levels and the cesium-137-to-potassium ratio was inconclusive.

• OSTI ID: 5220240
• Journal Information: J. Assoc. Off. Anal. Chem.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Assoc. Off. Anal. Chem.; (United States) Vol. 60:6; ISSN JANCA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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