Radioactivity of 137Cs and 90Sr components of the environment in the post-Chernobyl period in 2024

The aim of the study was to determine the specific activity of environmental components and forestry products in the Bilokorovychi Village, Korosten District, Zhytomyr Region, for the content of radionuclides 137Cs and 90Sr, which entered them as a result of the accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. The study was conducted in accordance with the research topic “Monitoring studies of the biosphere of the Ukrainian Polissya” from September to November 2024 using dosimetric and radiometric methods. It was established that the exposure dose rate of gamma radiation complies with the radiation safety standards of Ukraine for populated areas: 18.3 ± 1.6 18.3 ± 1.6 μR/h was recorded in the forest, 12.7 ± 0.7 μR/h on agricultural land, and 14.7 ± 3.4 μR/h in the residential part of the village. The stems, leaves and dry fruits of blueberries exceed the requirements of DR-2006 for 137Cs content by 1.7 times and by 300 Bq/kg, respectively, while the activity of 90Sr is within the normal range. The specific activity of chaga, Viburnum and rosehip fruits complies with the requirements of DR-2006 and is 48.5 ± 3.6 Bq/kg, 13.7 ± 1.2 Bq/kg for 137Cs content, 27.9 ± 1.7 Bq/kg, and 90Sr activity is 89.9 ± 6.7 Bq/kg, 0.1 ± 0.01 Bq/kg, 0.1 ± 0.02 Bq/kg, respectively. The samples of honey mushrooms are suitable for consumption, since the specific activity of 137Cs is three times lower than the standard, and that of 90Sr is four times lower. The specific activity of porcini mushrooms for 137Cs is 2.1 times higher than the standard, and the accumulation of 90Sr is 15.7 times lower than the standard. The specific activity of moss for 137Cs is almost 5 times lower than the specific activity of soil, which was 893.9 ± 91.3 Bq/kg for 137Cs. Water from artesian wells in the village is suitable for consumption in terms of radiation indicators. Acorns moderately accumulate 137Cs and 90Sr (372.1 ± 17.2 Bq/kg and 143.9 ± 10.4 Bq/kg, respectively). Thus, studies have established that dry blueberries and dried porcini mushrooms are unfit for consumption