The current radiological state of natural meadows in the zone of unconditional (mandatory) resettlement of the Narodychi united territorial community of the Zhytomyr region and the prospects for their use as a fodder base for livestock

A radiological survey of natural meadows in the vicinity of the settlements of the Narodychi united territorial community, which were contaminated with radionuclides as a consequence of the Chornobyl accident, was conducted, and the feasibility of reclaiming them for economic use was evaluated. The content of 137Cs and 90Sr radionuclides (median, geometric standard deviation, upper limit for P = 0.9) in milk and cattle muscles was predicted using the method of probabilistic modelling. Furthermore, the risks of exceeding the requirements established by the Ukraine state hygiene standards (PL-2006) for the content of radionuclides in these products were assessed. The potential for utilizing hayfields and pastures for the production of milk and cattle meat was demonstrated. These findings serve as the foundation for recommendations and decision-making concerning the return of these lands to economic use.