The consumption of locally-produced foodstuff: an important parameter of the radiological exposure for population living in the vicinity of French nuclear facilities

Abstract

Either in normal or post-accidental situations, the ingestion of locally-produced foodstuffs, potentially contaminated, is one of the main exposures to the population living in the vicinity of nuclear facilities. For this reason, the French Institute for Radioprotection and Nuclear Safety has developed a specific methodology and has carried out surveys on dietary habits of some populations concerned. This study presents the methodology used for local food surveys, the amount consumed and how much food is produced locally. The results from the 6 surveys already done show that food surveys even if conducted with a specific aim as impact assessments provide further in-depth understanding of the food habits of local residents. There are still local specific population groups that have a high level of “home-consumption” for products more sensitive to contamination. For leafy vegetables and milk (products highly sensitive to contamination), home-consumption rates vary widely from one region to another from 76 to more than 90% and from 1 to 17% respectively. Specifically for the Andra survey carried out in a rural area in the North-East of France, self-sufficiency had reached 100% for a few products (game meat for example).