Radioactivity in Calabrian (Southern Italy) Wild Boar Meat

Abstract

The production chain for game meat is specific and differs from the production chain of meat from domestic livestock. Wild boar meat is a foodstuff consumed in Italy. Wild boars are considered as a reservoir of environmental radionuclides, and the accumulation of radioisotopes can pose a radiological hazard. 40K and 137Cs activity concentrations were measured through HPGe gamma spectrometry in wild boar meat samples, coming from six hygiene points representative of the entire district of Reggio Calabria, South Italy. Experimental values were found to be in the range of (91 ± 11) Bq kg−1 to (117 ± 14) Bq kg−1 for 40K and of (0.09 ± 0.03) Bq kg−1 to (1.61 ± 0.24) Bq kg−1 for 137Cs, respectively. Any possible radiological risk for the population was also estimated. Obtained values are in the range of 2.66 µSv a−1 to 4.00 µSv a−1, much lower than the recommended level for the public (1 mSv a−1).