Short communication, Note

https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-64-2013-2411

137Cs in Soil and Fallout around Zagreb, Croatia at the Time of the Fukushima Accident

Marko Šoštarić orcid.org/0000-0003-2617-3738 ; Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia
Branko Petrinec orcid.org/0000-0001-9272-3828 ; Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia
Dinko Babić ; Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

This paper addresses the noticeable increase of 137Cs activity concentrations in soil and fallout in the area surrounding Zagreb (Croatia) that occurred at the time of the 2011 Fukushima accident. This topic is important for public health as 137Cs is highly toxic due to its long half-life of radioactive decay and chemical similarity to potassium. 137Cs concentrations in fallout were much greater than in soil, but remained present longer in the latter. While being detectable in our measurements, 137Cs did not spread through the food chain in amounts exceeding the maximum allowed level of radioactive food contamination. However, more thorough and consistent measurements need to be done in order to establish the precise activity trends of 137Cs in Zagreb soil and fallout.

Keywords

gamma-ray spectrometry; public health; radioactive contamination

Hrčak ID:

111775

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/111775

Publication date:

6.12.2013.

Article data in other languages: croatian

Visits: 2.195 *