THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RADIATION AND MEAT QUALITY: ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECT OF RADIONUCLIDES ON FOOD FROM AREAS WITH A HIGH RISK OF RADIATION CONTAMINATION

Abstract

Since the middle of the twentieth century, nuclear technologies have been used in medicine, energy, and the scientific environment. Despite the huge potential for the use of radioactive isotopes of thorium, radium, uranium, cobalt, iodine in various fields, there is also a huge risk of unforeseen situations that can have harmful consequences for the environment, including agriculture. Therefore, it is very important to monitor the quality of food in places with a high risk of radiation contamination, which was the purpose of this study. The work assessed the impact of radiation pollution on the quality of livestock products in Semey, Abai region in eastern Kazakhstan, near which a nuclear testing site was located before the collapse of the USSR. In the experiment, an analysis of milk and beef was carried out, the results of which showed that the quality of the products studied did not exceed the permissible norms, but still showed slight deviations from the average values. The assessment was carried out by comparing organoleptic and radiochemical parameters with regulatory requirements. In the selected 75 samples of milk and 75 samples of meat, the concentration of radioactive isotopes was determined, in addition, the appearance, visual and taste components of beef were evaluated. Organoleptic analysis did not demonstrate significant deviations from the norm, while micro–quantities of 90Sr and 137Cs isotopes were found in the samples using a gamma spectrometer, the concentration of which did not exceed acceptable values. Monitoring of such characteristics is necessary not only to protect the health of the local population, it also allows us to form a complete picture of the dynamics of the spread and impact of radionuclides on the environment in the longer term. The ability to carry out comprehensive control of food products will help prevent a number of diseases that arise in the process of harmful radioactive exposure.