Radioactivity measurements and dosimetric evaluation in meat of wild birds

he aim of this study was to determine the background activity concentration of natural radionuclides and 137Cesium (Cs) in meat of 14 migratory birds originating from central and northern Europe. This meat is largely consumed by the Italian population. 40K, 210Pb, and 137Cs were determined by gamma spectrometry and 210Po by alpha spectrometry. The mean 40K activity concentration detected was 490 ± 117 Bq/kgdw. In all the samples, 210Pb was below the limit of detection (LOD), and therefore it was not possible to calculate the ratio 210Po/210Pb. The 210Po activity concentration ranged between 0.11 ± 0.02 Bq/kgdw and 6.2 ± 0.93 Bq/kgdw with a mean value of 1.03 ± 1.75 Bq/kgdw. The 137Cs activity concentration was not detectable or near LOD except in two samples with 45 ± 0.7 Bq/kgdw (wood pigeon, from Italy) and 139.1 ± 1.9 Bq/kgdw (woodcock, from Sweden). The effective dose of 210Po ingested by consumption of wild birds meat accounts for only 0.01-0.6% of natural radiation exposure in Italy. These data indicate that the meat analyzed was safe.