Page 69 - Zbornik_Konf_2019

https://doi.org/10.15414/2019.9788055220703

4 International Scientific Conference Abstracts Book
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RESEARCH ON RADIOACTIVITY OF UKRAINIAN HONEYS

Leonora Adamchuk , Ihor Kharchenko , Rostyslav Komar ,
1
1
1
Maxin Victor , Galyna Pshinko
2
1
1 National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine,
Kyiv, Ukraine; E-mail.: leonora.adamchuk@gmsil.com
2 Dumansky Institute of Colloid and Water Chemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine,
Kyiv, Ukraine
Today, among the important indicators of food safety is the level of its contamination
with radionuclides. Technogenic accidents on nuclear facilities (Three Mile Island NPP in USA,
Fukushima Daiichi NPP in Japan, Chernobyl NPP in Ukraine) have led to the uncontrolled
entry of radionuclides into the environment. As a result, the content of isotopes that are β-
radionuclides has grown by thousands of times (uatom.org/index.php/beta-beta).
It is known that when sources of β-radiation reach the body with food, water, and air,
the internal irradiation of the organism occurs, which can lead to severe radiation damage
(Kutovyi et al., 2009). This is especially true for foods that are not exposed to any temperature
treatments that could reduce the level of radioactive contamination. These products include
the product of plant and animal origin – honey. The minimum level of radioactive
contamination that needs attention is 4000 Bq/kg. Iodine-131 is a β-emitter that is absorbed
by the thyroid gland; Cesium-137 – β-emitter, accumulates in lymph nodes and liver;
Plutonium-239 accumulates in the lungs and reproductive organs. It is known that
penetrating radiation causes ionization of atoms and molecules of an organism and leads to a
violation of vital functions of individual organs, bone marrow defects, and as a consequence –
the development of radiation sickness.
The purpose of our research was to determine the total activity of β-radionuclides in
honey produced in different regions of Ukraine. Tests of total β activity were performed on
the beta-radiometer “КРК1-01А” using the K isotope.
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As a result of the research, 66 samples of honey were analyzed from Odesa, Cherkasy,
Zaporizhzhya, Zakarpattia, Kherson, Vinnytsia, Sichaslavska, Kyiv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil,
Kharkiv, Khmelnytsky, Kirovograd, Lviv, Mykolayiv, Chernihiv, Poltava regions.
It was established that the total activity of β-radionuclides in honey obtained in different
regions of Ukraine did not exceed the allowable norms for food products and ranged from 1 to
17 Bq/kg. At the same time, in compliance with the requirements of the state hygiene
regulations (2006), the allowable levels of 137 Cs and Sr of radionuclide content in honey and
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beekeeping products should not exceed 200 Bq/kg and 50 Bq/kg, respectively.
Keywords: β-radiation, radioactivity, Ukrainian honey.

Acknowledgments
Author Leonora Adamchuk thanks the International Visegrad Fund (51910842) for the scholarship
and research internships, during which the results and knowledge presented in this paper were
obtained. The publication was prepared with the active participation of researchers involved in the
International network AgroBioNet of the Institutions and researchers for the realization of research,
education and development program 'Agrobiodiversity for Improving Nutrition, Health and Life
Quality' TRIVE (ITMS 26110230085).

4 International Scientific Conference Agrobiodiversity Nutrition, Health and Quality of Human and Bees Life |69
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September 11–13, 2019