An assessment of 210Pb and 210Po in terrestrial foodstuffs from regions of England and Wales

Based on data for nationally available foodstuffs, naturally occurring 210Pb and 210Po contribute significantly to the UK radiation dose from dietary intake. To provide a more complete overview of radiological implications to the public, samples of offal, cereal, fruit, root and green vegetables were collected from 11 sites, including regions of potential 210Pb and 210Po enhancement. Considerable variability was evident in levels of 210Pb and 210Po from all sites and in all food types investigated. Higher concentrations were typically found in offal and cereals. Lowest concentrations were generally found in root vegetables. Between sites, the only evidence of elevated concentrations of 210Po occurred at Helston (210Po 3.0 Bq kg-1 in bovine liver, no other offal sample exceeding 0.8 Bq kg-1), and Holyhead 210Po 0.4 Bq kg-1 in blackberries, no other fruit sample exceeding 0.1 Bq kg-1). Other foodstuffs from these sites did not show similar enhanced levels of 210Po. The maximum dose arising from consumption of 210Pb and 210Po in foods surveyed in this study is estimated to be around 120 μSv year-1 to adults. This compares with an estimated UK average consumption dose from all nuclides and foodstuffs of 300 μSv year-1 (broad range 100–1000 μSv year-1).