Monitoring of Radioactive Substances in Foods Distributed in Kyoto, Japan (1991–2011)

BANNO Yukinori, NAMIKAWA Mikio, MIWA Mariko, BAN Soichirou, ORITO Taichi, SEMURA Shunsuke, KAWAKAMI Masahiro, DOI Naoya, MIYAKE Shiro, ISHIKAWA Yasuhiro

doi:10.3358/shokueishi.54.178

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Other Title

京都市に流通する食品中の放射性物質の実態調査（1991～2011年）
Monitoring of Radioactive Substances in Foods Distributed in Kyoto, Japan (1991-2011) : Comparison of Detection Rates and Concentrations before and after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident
—Comparison of Detection Rates and Concentrations before and after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident—
―福島第一原子力発電所事故前後の比較―

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Abstract

Since the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident, radioactive substances have been continually monitored in foods collected in the city of Kyoto, Japan. The importance of the monitoring was increased by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident in March 2011. Here, the detection rates and concentrations of radioactive substances were compared among food samples collected before and after the accident in Fukushima prefecture. Before the accident, ¹³⁷Cs was the only radioactive substance detected in foods. The detection rate was 70% for fish and shellfish samples and the highest concentration was 1.7 Bq/kg. It was also 83% for fresh mushroom samples and the highest concentration was 7.5 Bq/kg. In contrast, the detection rate was low for vegetables and the concentrations were also lower than those of the above samples. On the other hand, after the accident, ¹³¹I was detected in food produced in the Tohoku and Kanto areas. Actually, ¹³¹I (3,400 Bq/kg), ¹³⁴Cs (280 Bq/kg), and ¹³⁷Cs (280 Bq/kg) were detected in mizuna, a leaf vegetable, on March 23, 2011. These radioactive substances were detected in all leaf vegetable samples examined in March and April 2011, but they were not detected in samples examined in November 2011. ¹³¹I was not detected in any food sample examined after May 2011. However, ¹³⁷Cs (average=7.9 Bq/kg) was consistently detected in fish and shellfish samples until November, although the concentrations were less than the regulatory limits. It appears unlikely that foods containing radioactive substances over the regulatory limits are currently being distributed in Kyoto.

Journal

Food Hygiene and Safety Science (Shokuhin Eiseigaku Zasshi)

Food Hygiene and Safety Science (Shokuhin Eiseigaku Zasshi) 54 (3), 178-187, 2013-06-25

Japanese Society for Food Hygiene and Safety

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