RADFOOD--a dynamic model for radioactivity transfer through the human food chain

Journal Article · Sun Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1986 · Health Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00004032-198606000-00003· OSTI ID:5336835

Koch, J; Tadmor, J

Radioactive fallout presents a short-term risk due to its direct deposition on agricultural crops, as well as a long-term risk resulting from its deposition on soil and subsequent uptake by crops. A dynamic model, RADFOOD, was developed, based on different existing models. It simulates transport of fallout radionuclides through agricultural food chains to man and evaluates the radiation doses resulting from consumption of contaminated food. Transport was modeled through compartments representing various environmental elements of food products. Internal radiation doses (whole-body weighted doses) following ingestion of contaminated foodstuffs were then estimated. Specific types of crops, soils and diet of man and livestock were considered. A sample calculation was performed in which individual and collective radiation doses, as well as associated health effects, resulting from fallout contamination were evaluated. They were estimated for food consumption beginning at various times after the fallout deposition and for different consumption durations. A sensitivity analysis, performed for the main model parameters, showed that the radiation dose is sensitive, for the short-term period, to changes in initial deposition levels and in the parameters characterizing initial fallout interception and resuspension.

• Research Organization: Soreq Nuclear Research Centre, Yavne, Israel
• OSTI ID: 5336835
• Journal Information: Health Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: Health Phys.; (United States) Vol. 6; ISSN HLTPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

510301 -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- Soil-- (-1987)
510302* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- Terrestrial Ecosystems & Food Chains-- (-1987)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ANIMALS
COMPUTER CODES
CONTAMINATION
CROPS
DOSES
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE PATHWAY
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FALLOUT
FOOD CHAINS
MAMMALS
MAN
MASS TRANSFER
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
PRIMATES
R CODES
RADIATION DOSES
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
SOILS
VERTEBRATES