S. Piermattei

Radiocaesium contents of meat in Italy after the Chernobyl accident and their changes during the cooking process

Abstract Levels of radioactive contamination in meat have been studied, along with ways of decreasing them. Specifically, radiocaesium concentrations in a range of samples of different types of meat collected throughout Italy since April 1986 are presented here. The samples are of beef, lamb, pork, chicken, turkey and rabbit. It was found that the radiocaesium content of lamb is higher than that in any of the other meat types considered here. Studies of the decrease in the radiocaesium content of meat during cooking showed that, when the meat is cooked in salt water (1%), the activity decreases by as much as 80% relative to uncooked samples.

Feasibility study of radiation protection guidelines in the use of building materials in the Italian dwellings

The Italian situation concerning the indoor radiation exposure is examined. A tentative comparison of the risk connected with radon and radon daughter indoor exposures and other every day life risks is made. The social economic impact of imposing possible constraints on home building industry is also discussed.

Measurements of soil and indoor radon in Italy

Abstract In spite of the fact that in the majority of cases the most important radon source is the soil and the rock beneath the house, no large scale survey of soil radon has ever been made in Italy. In this paper the results of a large scale survey of soil radon are presented from measurements made in hundreds of different sites in Latium and Campania. For several locations, results of measurements gathered for different years are described and up-dated. As a pilot project for indoor radon survey monthly variations of radon concentrations in typical houses have been investigated.

Calculation of the individual effective dose equivalent in Italy following the chernobyl accident

Abstract Estimates are presented here for the individual effective dose equivalents (EDE) from dietary intake of radiocaesium-contaminated food by the average Italian consumer in different age groups. Food items of consumption rate greater than 50 kg/y were included in the food basket studies. In view of the pattern of food consumption in Italy, the radiocaesium concentrations of foodstuffs such as milk, milk products, bread, pasta, meat, fruit, vegetables and babyfoods were measured between January 1987 and December 1988 inclusive. These measurements were carried out mainly by the environmental radioactivity laboratories in three administrative districts of Italy. The results show that the total individual EDE values received in 1987 from foodstuffs were around 175, 110 and 70 μSv/year for adults, children (up to 10 years old) and infants (up to one year old), respectively. The corresponding values for 1988 are about 15, 10 and 20 μSv/year, respectively. The EDE committed in the latter half relative to the first half of 1987 was a factor of 2.5 and 3 less for adults and children, respectively, and a factor of about 2 for infants. In 1988, no significant change was observed in EDE values during the year.

Activity measurements of Sr-90 and Cs-137 in spiked solutions of milk. Results of a national intercomparison in Italy.

A national intercomparison was organized by ENEA for activity measurements of 90Sr and 137Cs in spiked solutions of milk. The participants in the intercomparison were the laboratories belonging to the Italian network for control of radioactivity in the environment. The purpose of these measurements was to check the reliability of measurement procedures and experimental means as routinely used by each participant. This first intercomparison showed appreciable discrepancies among the participants and this was due both to improper procedures and non correct calibrated spectrometers. Soon after a second intercomparison was carried out to check to what extent the previous results were reproducible among the various participants. Methods and results are discussed.

Recent results (1986–1989) on the ENEA quality assurance programme for the radioactivity surveillance network in Italy

A programme for the Quality Assurance of the Italian network for surveillance of radioactivity in foodstuff and environmental samples was started by the ENEA in 1983. The main purpose of this programme is to establish uniform levels of accuracy and reproducibility in measurement procedures routinely used by the laboratories belonging to the network. This paper describes the technical aspects relevant to the calibration and intercomparison campaigns carried out, in Italy, in the period 1986-1989. The relevant measurements include gamma spectrometry and beta-ray counting in liquid aqueous samples.