Radioactivity in milk, beef and pork

Milk is sampled from a range of zones in Denmark, and analysed for contents of 90Sr and 137Cs. Concentrations have decreased steadily since the end of the large atmospheric nuclear bomb tests in 1963. However, radiocaesium deposition after the Chernobyl accident (1986) was sufficient to result in a very distinct increase in the milk concentration. Fodder crops may be silaged and used with considerable delay. This means that the direct contaminant deposition on these crops may through the foodchain give enhanced milk levels for some time. Due to the gradual fixation of radiocaesium in soil minerals over the following few years, the root uptake in new fodder plants, and thus the transfer to milk through this pathway, has decreased markedly. Also 90Sr and 137Cs concentrations in beef and pork have been followed over the years, analysing samples collected in zones of Denmark. Although considerable variation has here been recorded from year to year, concentrations have overall declined steadily.

Strontium-90 in milk collected in 1962-2008
Caesium-137 in milk collected in 1962-2008

Strontium-90 in beef and pork collected in 1964-1991

Caesium-137 in beef and pork collected in 1963-2009

Page updated  by   25.08.2009


Kasper Grann Andersson
Senior Scientist
Radiation Research (NUK)
Dir tel+45 46774173