수입 농산물과 가공식품에 대한 방사능 오염 모니터링 및 위해성 평가

Abstract

The 2011 nuclear power plant accident in Japan, at the Fukushima facility, resulted in the release of numerous artificial radionuclides. Therefore, neighboring countries have had to confront the consequences of radioactive contamination, leading to a ban on imported food from Japan due to concerns over potential contamination. Accordingly, standards code for radioactive contaminants was established, and annual monitoring of radioactive contamination was conducted. To address these public concerns, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety is responsible for the radioactive safety management of imported food and imported marine products in accordance with the Framework Act on Food Hygiene and Food Safety. Efforts are being made to strengthen quarantine and inspection of Japanese food and to ensure public safety and food safety through information disclosure. However, there is a lack of information about the extent of harm caused by its consumption. In this study, imported agro-fishery products and processed food from the 2021-2022 period were monitored for radioactive contaminants. A risk assessment was subsequently conducted on the effect of this radioactivity on the human body. Also, I evaluated it in comparison to the annual public 1 mSv recommended by the ICRP for risk assessment. Samples used for the analysis of radioactive contamination were selected from items that are suspected to be detected in national and major food products. The selected samples were pretreated using the direct method in the 'Korean Food Code' and then measured using HPGe for 10,000 seconds to carry out radioactive contamination inspections. A total of 7,437 samples monitoring results showed that 131I and 134Cs were below the minimum detectable activity (MDA), while there were 81 cases of 137Cs contamination. The levels of Sarcodon imbricatus were 1-­7 Bq/kg, Inonotus obliquus 2-32 Bq/kg in agricultural products, and Isrus oxyrinchus in fishery products 1 Bq/kg. In processed foods, blueberry jam 1–52 Bq/kg, cheese 2 Bq/kg and coffee beans 1 Bq/kg. The radiation exposure assessment was conducted using data from radiation detection monitoring, and the 「2020 National Nutrition Statistics」, and dose equivalent conversion coefficients suggested by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) were applied to convert the radiation unit into effective dose. The result of risk assessment on the intake of radioactive contaminated agro-fishery products and processed food, the highest in the age group is 19-29 (0.082% and 0.170%), and the lowest in the age groups of 6-11 (0.032%) and 1-2 (0.066%). In conclusion, the monitoring and risk assessment of radioactive contaminants in imported agro-fishery products and processed food demonstrated their safety, as they did not exceed the annual limit of artificial radiation dose for public people. Periodic monitoring is needed to reduce anxiety and ensure food safety with the discharge of waste water from Fukushima set to take place in 2023. In addition, accurate evaluation of the effects of radioactivity detection in food on the human body is expected to ensure the delivery of correct information.