Radioactivity measurements and dosimetric evaluation in meat of wild birds

The aim of this study was to determine the background activity concentration of natural radionuclides and (137)Cesium (Cs) in meat of 14 migratory birds originating from central and northern Europe. This meat is largely consumed by the Italian population. K-40, Pb-210, and Cs-137 were determined by gamma spectrometry and Po-210 by alpha spectrometry. The mean K-40 activity concentration detected was 490 +/- 117 Bq/kg(dw). In all the samples, Pb-210 was below the limit of detection (LOD), and therefore it was not possible to calculate the ratio Po-210/Pb-210. The Po-210 activity concentration ranged between 0.11 +/- 0.02 Bq/kg(dw) and 6.2 +/- 0.93 Bq/kg(dw) with a mean value of 1.03 +/- 1.75 Bq/kg(dw). The Cs-137 activity concentration was not detectable or near LOD except in two samples with 45 +/- 0.7 Bq/kg(dw) (wood pigeon, from Italy) and 139.1 +/- 1.9 Bq/kg(dw) (woodcock, from Sweden). The effective dose of Po-210 ingested by consumption of wild birds meat accounts for only 0.01-0.6% of natural radiation exposure in Italy. These data indicate that the meat analyzed was safe.