An assessment of 210Pb and 210Po in terrestrial foodstuffs from regions of England and Wales

Based on data for nationally available foodstuffs, naturally occurring Pb-210 and Po-210 contribute significantly to the UK radiation dose from dietary intake. To provide a more complete overview of radiological implications to the public, samples of offal, cereal, fruit, root and green vegetables were collected from 11 sites, including regions of potential Pb-210 and Po-210 enhancement. Considerable variability was evident in levels of Pb-210 and Po-210 from all sites and in all food types investigated. Higher concentrations were typically found in offal and cereals Lowest concentrations were generally found in root vegetables. Between sites, the only evidence of elevated concentrations of Po-210 occurred at Helston (Po-210 3.0 Bq kg(-1) in bovine liver, no other offal sample exceeding 0.8 Bq kg(- 1)), and Holyhead Po-210 0.4 Bq kg (- 1) in blackberries, no other fruit sample exceeding 0.1 Bq kg(-1)). Other foodstuffs from these sites did not show similar enhanced levels of Po-210. The maximum dose arising from consumption of Pb-210 and Po-210 in foods surveyed in this study is estimated to be around 120 mu Sv year (-1) to adults. This compares with an estimated UK average consumption dose from all nuclides and foodstuffs of 300 mu Sv year (-1) (broad range 100-1000 mu Sv year (-1)). (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.