Sample Size Allocation for Food Item Radiation Monitoring and Safety Inspection. Issue 3 (26th September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Seto, Mayumi; Uriu, Koichiro
• Is Part Of: Risk analysis. Volume 35:Issue 3(2015)
• Page Start: 409
• Page End: 422
• Publication Date: 2014-09-26
• Subjects: Technology -- Risk assessment -- Periodicals; 658.403
• DOI: 10.1111/risa.12276
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0272-4332

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>The objective of this study is to identify a procedure for determining sample size allocation for food radiation inspections of more than one food item to minimize the potential risk to consumers of internal radiation exposure. We consider a simplified case of food radiation monitoring and safety inspection in which a risk manager is required to monitor two food items, milk and spinach, in a contaminated area. Three protocols for food radiation monitoring with different sample size allocations were assessed by simulating random sampling and inspections of milk and spinach in a conceptual monitoring site. Distributions of ¹³¹I and radiocesium concentrations were determined in reference to ¹³¹I and radiocesium concentrations detected in Fukushima prefecture, Japan, for March and April 2011. The results of the simulations suggested that a protocol that allocates sample size to milk and spinach based on the estimation of ¹³¹I and radiocesium concentrations using the apparent decay rate constants sequentially calculated from past monitoring data can most effectively minimize the potential risks of internal radiation exposure.</p> </abstract>