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The radionuclides C-14, H-3 and S-35 are released from nuclear installations in routine discharges and have the potential to be released in accidents. They are isotopes of elements which all play a major role in animal nutrition and will be retained in the various organs and tissues. They can also be present in animal feedingstuffs in organic forms, which may be metabolised differently from the inorganic forms originally released. However, the uptake and retention of these radionuclides is often treated simplistically. <p>This project was to conduct a literature review on the uptake and retention of C-14, H-3 and S-35 in farm animals, to provide a basis for specifying metabolic models of the distribution and retention of the radionuclides in the body following their ingestion or inhalation in various chemical forms. The FSA (MAFF at the time) would thus be provided with assessment models which could be used in the context of environmental transport modelling systems such as SPADE.
Relevant literature was acquired by searching computerised databases, paper-based bibliographies and the reference lists of relevant papers. Supplementary papers and unpublished information were acquired by correspondence with colleagues working in the field. The literature was be reviewed in the context of relevant information on the biochemistry of carbon, hydrogen and sulphur. Models were formulated on the distribution and retention of various chemical forms of C-14, H-3 and S-35 in different types of farm animals. <p>Distributions of parameter values were developed for use with the models. The sensitivities of model results to input model parameters were explored. Comparisons were made with existing models, using a defined suite of test calculations and taking parameter value uncertainties into account.
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Find more about this project and other FSA food safety-related projects at the <a href="http://www.food.gov.uk/science/research/" target="_blank">Food Standards Agency Research webpage</a>.