A discussion on the benefits of radiological food guidelines under normal conditions. (7th September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Jing
• Is Part Of: Journal of radiological protection. Volume 35:Number 3(2015:Sep.)
• Page Start: 719
• Page End: 725
• Publication Date: 2015-09-07
• Subjects: food -- drink -- radionuclides; Radiation -- Safety measures -- Periodicals; Health Physics -- Periodicals; Radiation Monitoring -- Periodicals; Radiation Protection -- Periodicals; Rayonnement -- Sécurité -- Mesures -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; Fulltext; Internet Resource; Periodical; 363.179905
• DOI: 10.1088/0952-4746/35/3/719
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0952-4746

Abstract

Abstract: Most existing guidelines to control radionuclides in commercial food were established for nuclear emergency or post-emergency situations. They provide guideline levels only for those radionuclides representative of a nuclear or radiological emergency. Under normal conditions, naturally occurring radionuclides in food could be the main concern for radiological protection and food safety. From the perspective of radiological protection and food safety, guidelines to control radionuclides in foodstuffs are needed in non-emergency situations. The WHO's drinking water guidelines are a good example of radiological guidelines for non-emergency situations which address man-made radionuclides as well as naturally occurring radionuclides. Food safety should meet the same or comparable standards as the standards for drinking water quality. Benefits of having radiological guidelines for commercial food, some practical considerations and proposed criteria to set such guidelines for three food categories are discussed here.