A method for the evaluation of the Cs-137 ingestion following the Chernobyl accident

This paper gives the average ingestion levels of 137Cs, released during the Chernobyl accident, for three population groups living in different regions of Italy. The ingestions were determined experimentally by measuring reconstructed total diets that were collected in the three areas. A comparison between these data and the ingestion levels estimated by using the 137Cs concentration levels measured in single food products and the national food consumption data shows that the latter method over-estimates the ingestion. Finally, it is shown that the ingestion levels of 137Cs, the internal body burden and urinary excretion are consistent. (author) 9 refs.; 2 figs.; 5 tabs