The current levels of ¹³⁷Cs in the body of residents of populated areas of the Bryansk region according to the results of radiation and hygienic survey

Measurements of the ¹³⁷Cs content in the bodies of residents of the territories radioactively contaminated due to the Chernobyl accident using a whole body counter (spectrometer) provide the most accurate assessment in determining the levels of radiation exposure to the population. The object of this study was analysis of results of ¹³⁷Cs measurements with a whole body counter. Materials and methods: In 2019-2022 measurements of the ¹³⁷Cs content in the bodies of more than 10 thousand residents of the southwestern territories of the Bryansk region were carried out. Research results and discussion: The results of measurements of the ¹³⁷Cs content in the bodies of residents of the surveyed settlements are presented. The highest levels of ¹³⁷Cs were measured in residents whose diet included such natural products as wild meat and wild mushrooms. It is shown that the average levels of ¹³⁷Cs in the bodies of residents of small settlements (up to 100 residents) are higher than that for residents of other settlements. Conclusion: Analysis of the obtained results allowed us to conclude that it is necessary to separate settlements with a population of less than 100 people into a specific category. Analysis of the distribution characteristics of the normalized values of specific activity of ¹³⁷Cs in the body of preschool children who do not attend child care institutions confirmed the justification for separating this category in dosimetric models.

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