Distribution of Radionuclides in Root Vegetables ― Implications for Dose Assessments

摘要

As a result of changes in dietary preferences, some vegetables are increasingly being eaten with the minimum of preparation. A study of the distribution of ~(137)Cs, ~(90)Sr, ~(239,240)Pu and ~(241)Am in carrot and parsnip roots has been carried out. Caesium-137 and ~(90)Sr were both essentially uniformly distributed throughout the root; most of the activity of the actinides was found in the peel and the ends, the parts formerly considered unpalatable. Given the relatively low importance of root vegetables in the diet, the values of the soil:plant transfer factors currently assumed in the NRPB model FARMLAND are reasonable for general assessment purposes.