Radioactivity in straw and energy forestry used for energy production in Sweden

Biomass is the common name for agricultural, forestry and other naturally occuring organic materials and wastes such as wood and straw. Bioenergy fuels comprise a larger group of materials which also includes peat. All fuels contain small amounts of natural radionuclides that will be emitted when these materials are burned for energy production. The use of man-made radioactive nuclides in industry and for medical purposes results in emissions of additional radionuclides which will find their way into these fuels. The emission has its main source from natural radionuclides and from fission products after fallout from nuclear weapons tests and from nuclear installations. We have analysed various biomass fuels and ash products in Sweden for their radioactive content. We can conclude that the effects of emission of radioactivity from biomass fuels in Sweden are low compared with normal natural radiation levels in air and soil and they make only a minor impact on man and the environment. This contribution has, therefore, no severe health effects.