Self-help countermeasure strategies for populations living within contaminated areas of Belarus, Russia and Ukraine

Countermeasures have been effectively employed within intensive agricultura l systems in areas of the Former Soviet Union (FSU) affected by the Chernob yl accident. However, ingestion doses continue to be elevated in some areas as a result of few foodstuffs which are collected from the wild or produce d by the household. Forest fungi and berries, and milk from privately owned cattle are the most notable contributors to Cs-137 intakes amongst these f oodstuffs. In this paper we consider advice which would help affected popul ations to both understand the importance of these exposure routes and to re duce their exposure. In addition to the potential radiological benefits, se lf-help schemes are highly cost-effective and likely to have a positive psy chological influence on populations living within contaminated areas of the FSU. Evidence to suggest that the transfer of radiocaesium to cow milk is considerably higher in the FSU than within western Europe and North America is discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.