Environmental Radioactivity in Denmark

Concentrations of environmental radioactivity in Denmark (notably radiocaesium and radiostrontium) have been determined regularly by Risø National Laboratory since 1957.

 
Painting
The monitoring programme was originally initiated to provide reference data for surveillance of the nuclear installations within the Risø area. However, it was soon expanded to cover the whole country, contributing to the general national preparedness against possible environmental releases of radionuclides. Measurements are reported annually of anthropogeneous radionuclides in environmental samples and in selected food items sampled in different localities over the country. Also the transfer of radionuclides to humans through consumption of Danish food, and the external exposure to environmental radioactivity are followed. The primary sources of the contamination registered to date are the Chernobyl accident in 1986, atmospheric nuclear test explosions made in the 1950’s and 1960’s, and releases from European nuclear reprocessing plants.

Radioactivity in air and precipitation
Radioactivity in ground water, stream water and lake water
Radioactivity in sea water
Fish Radioactivity in seafood and sea plants
Radioactivity in milk, beef and pork
Radioactivity in grain and bread
Radioactivity in vegetables
Radioactivity in total diet and in humans, and external exposure in 4 locations

Page updated  by   25.08.2009


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