Parametric improvement for the ingestion dose module of the European ARGOS and RODOS decision support systems

The European decision support systems ARGOS and RODOS rely on the ECOSYS model for prognoses of ingestion doses. ECOSYS needs an update of various parameter values to provide reliable estimates. This paper reports on some results of a Nordic initiative to derive parameter values that are specific to Nordic conditions, as well as to improve generic parameter values in ECOSYS, taking into account the host of useful measurement data accumulated since ECOSYS was created

Transfer of anthropogenic radionuclides to organisms in the Faroe Islands

The 137Cs activity has been measured in organisms from the Faroese terrestrial, aquatic and marine environments in the years 2002, 2003 and 2004. The aim of the study was to point out organisms that can be useful indicator organisms for radioactive contamination of the environment. Measurements are available back to the early 1960’s for some organisms, and the variation with time is considered for these organisms

Recent trends of environmental radioactivity in Greenland and the Faroe Islands

Environmental radioactivity in Greenland and the Faroe Islands was investigated from samples collected in 2004 of seawater, seaweed, marine fish, seal, whale, lake water, freshwater fish and total diet. Anthropogenic radionuclides in Greenland and the Faroe Islands are present due to long-range transport by air and water mainly due to fallout from nuclear weapons testing, from the Chernobyl accident and discharges from European reprocessing facilities, Sellafield in the UK and La Hague in France. Concentrations of anthropogenic radionuclides in environment and food are low, however, and present insignificant health risks to humans. Naturally occurring radionuclides are present in the environment and human food and dominate the radiation dose from ingestion. Even in case of landlocked Arctic char from South Greenland showing elevated concentrations of anthropogenic 137Cs, the radiation doses to man from ingestion derive mainly from the presence of the naturally occurring radionuclide 210Po. Samples of total diet from Uummannaq indicate that annual radiation doses by ingestion could approach 1 mSv from 210Po possibly due to a high proportion of seal flesh and liver in the diet