Lessons from Chernobyl: Clean food from a contaminated environment
Reducing radioactive uptake in food sources is widely publicized in literature. This isn't something I was aware of before now. And you can all imagine why I looked! Chernobyl has been a rich source of studies, experiments, and published results, for obvious reasons.
A quick scan, and I emphasize I've barely scratched the surface, produced these:
"Twenty years' application of agricultural countermeasures following the Chernobyl accident: lessons learned."
Appears to be an entire book on how to evaluate, and if possible use, contaminated land for food production. Mention of soil additives, measuring animal radioactive isotope uptake, and feeding radioactive-clean food prior to slaughter to decrease contamination.
"Recent advances in animal radioecology and mitigation of animal product contamination after accidents"
Paper discusses research on controlling the transfer of radionuclides through the food chain, with feed additive recommendations based on effectiveness and cost. 34 references that I haven't even looked up yet, dated from 1963 to 2002.
"Rural areas affected by the Chernobyl accident: Radiation exposure and remediation strategies"
Paper discusses efforts to reduce internal exposure of people by 6 methods, including something called 'radical improvement' of grassland, feeding recommendations for livestock, fertilization of root crop land, and education of the population on contamination levels in foods gathered in the forest. Mushrooms apparently feature prominently here.
If anyone is aware of a meta-analysis, or best practice guide, I could start with, I'd much appreciate a link!
earthquakeprepper
If you click on the link
If you click on the link below it will take you to an article on Chernobyl. At the end of the article is a link to "Consequences of the Chernobyl Accident for the Natural and Human Environments" a paper by Lawrence Livermore Labs. it is a paper submitted to the EU, WHO and the IAEA. It has a lot of intersting info.
Consequences of the Chernobyl Accident for the Natural and Human Environments
Thanks for the link! Looks
Thanks for the link!
Looks like the initial response to an accident has to be *immediate* and sufficient to decrease population exposure wrt external and inhaled contamination. Plus securing enough uncontaminated food & water for the evacuated population. Really highlights the need for sound evacuation and KI distribution plans in areas surrounding nuclear plants.
It's interesting that the main routes of exposure 10 years after Chernobyl appear to be wild food ingestion and recreation in (semi)wilderness areas, not farm workers exposed to dust from contaminated soil.
It looks like decontamination of buildings and surroundings is only partially effective, (30% decrease). The levels found in food, water, and soil are shocking; much higher than the Berkeley team is reporting. I'll be interested in comparisons between Chernoby and Fukushima at similar distances when that data becomes available.
Anyone else have any relevant links?
I'm worried about the
I'm worried about the uranium and plutonium dust particles in the soil, on the ground/grass/plants and in the air. I don't want to walk around with a hepa filter on my face.
Can't hurt to use Zeolite in our gardens--just gotta hope we don't inhale radioactive particles while we are working in the dirt.
Hey - I like this! But...Got Links?
a few or one good link to the main source would be great.
It seems there might be a way to "wash" soil to clean it and to replace contaminated soil etc.
I live on an organic farm and this is making me totally despondent that radiocesium and radio-iodine is all up in my garden and the woods where I collect shrooms and wild leeks. Found a 100 pound Maitake a year or so ago which is GREAT for protecting you from radiation UNLESS it is contaminated. Jeez!
So thanks for this.
Cut-n-paste the titles into
Cut-n-paste the titles into google will at least get the abstract. I'm not sure if everyone can access the full articles though.
One thing that stands out, looking at everyone's sources; wild mushrooms BAD! The bioaccumulation is huge. I bought a case of canned when I saw the numbers. I never used dried mushrooms. After looking at levels in Europe right after Chernobyl I doubt I'll ever eat them.
Soil remediation appears to be mostly adding minerals that will displace radioactive uptake with plants. Potassium for Cs; Calcium for Sr, and the like. Also maybe some adjustment of pH.
Similar additions of minerals to animal diets, plus clean feed and measuring for a period before slaughter.
thanks
it sucks and I just started harvesting wild mushrooms in the last few years.
oh well.
I imagine that if the plumes cease the cesium etc will eventually get washed out by clean rain. The iodine is at least a short half life but the cesium is here to stay so all i can say is --- I guess I have to grow my own mushrooms indoors or something if I want them or get them from hothouses.
Bummer