Radionuclide contents in foodstuff collected from the regions surrounding nuclear facilities in Sichuan Province and their committed dose to public

Objective: To analyze the artificial and natural radionuclide contents in foodstuff surrounding the nuclear facilities in Sichuan Province, and evaluate their committed dose to public. Methods: Samples including grain, vegetables, meat, milk powder and tea in 5 regions surrounding the nuclear facilities were collected, and the specific activities of ²³⁸U, ²³⁸Ra, ¹³¹I, ²³²Th, ¹³⁷Cs, ¹³⁴Cs, ¹⁰⁰Ag^m, ⁵⁸Co, ⁶⁰Co, and ⁴⁰K were analyzed by using high purity germanium (HPGe) gamma-ray spectrometry. Results: Among the 197 samples, the detectable rates of ⁴⁰K, ²³²Th, ²²⁶Ra, ²³⁸U and ¹³⁷Cs were 100%, 50.8%, 38.5%, 15.2% and 13.2%, respectively. Even though ¹³⁷Cs was detected out in 26 samples, its activity did not exceed the national standard. The activity in milk powder produced in Sichuan was higher than those of other provinces. The total committed effective dose to adults caused by radionuclides in foodstuff was estimated to be 0.22 m Sv, and the effective dose of ¹³⁷Cs was 7.81 × 10^-6 mSv. Conclusion: The radionuclide contents in foodstuff and their committed dose to public in Sichuan Province are close to other reported values at home or abroad. (authors)