Natural and artificial radioactivity in milk and dairy products for human consumption (1971-2003)

Between 1971 and 2003, radioactivity analyses were performed in several dairy products (fresh milk, milk in powder, evaporated milk and in mixed-cereal flours) as part of the program of national environmental radiological surveillance developed by the Department of Environment Control of the Peruvian Nuclear Energy Institute. Analytical assays were performed to evaluate Cs-137, Cs-134, I-131, K-40, Sr-90 (by gamma spectroscopy) and gross beta activity (by beta counting). The obtained values do not represent radiosanitary risk for the population and confirm the presence of K-40 as the main radionuclide in this type of samples. The application of IAEA dosimetric factors allowed calculating intake doses from dairy products in a much lower level than the limits established by international regulation bodies. (author)