asked the Minister for Energy if he will make a statement on Dr. McAulay's findings of high levels of radioactive caesium found in a sample of County Louth soil following the Chernobyl disaster.
Written Answers. - Louth Soil Contamination Levels.
38.
I am aware that high levels of radioactive caesium were detected by Dr. McAulay in soil sample in parts of County Louth. I have been advised by the Nuclear Energy Board that contamination levels in lamb and beef from that area do not reflect the high contamination levels found in these soil samples. All but one of the food samples taken by the board from the Louth area during the first six months after Chernobyl revealed total caesium concentration of less than 400 becquerels/ kilogramme in respect of lamb and less than 270 becquerels/kilogramme in respect of beef. One sample of lamb taken in June, 1986 showed a total caesium concentration of 827 bq/kg which was the peak level found in the area for lamb and beef. Monitoring results indicated that the health risks to the Irish people are very small.
The Nuclear Energy Board have also advised me that contamination levels in recent samples of foodstuffs from County Louth are quite low. Levels detected in beef and lamb are much less than 100 becquerels/kilogramme in most cases, and do not represent a health hazard. Contamination levels in vegetables are barely detectable. The results of the board's sampling and monitoring show that the radioactive contamination level in Irish foodstuffs in much lower than that found in the soil and well below the levels at which control measures might have to be considered.
The soil sampling programme undertaken by Dr. McAulay was welcomed by the NEB as it enabled the board to concentrate its resources on determining contamination levels in food which is a priority consideration. The board has commenced an extensive soil survey programme aided by EC funding in collaboration with An Foras Talúntais and Trinity College.
Uptake of radioactivity in Irish foodstuffs will continue to be closely monitored by the board. I wish to emphasise that food exports are continuously monitored in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture and the food exporting industry and meet not only EC requirements but even the very low limits set by the overseas market.