French honeys collected after the Chernobyl accident

French honeys collected since the Chernobyl accident in May 1986 were subjected to gamma spectrometry to estimate their radioactive contamination. Cs and Cs were used as markers of the artihcial radioactivity. Differences were found according to the date of sampling, the department of samphng, and the type of honey. Ffowever, the results showed conclusively that the French honeys have been contaminated by radionuclides after this catastrophe. 

The explosion of the number four reactor at Chernobyl (Ukraine) on April 26,1986, was the greatest peacetime industrial disaster of all time. In addition to massive radioactive contamination in the vicinity of the reactor 

Widespread distribution of radioactivity throughout the northern hemisphere was noted. A contributing factor was the variation in meteorological conditions and wind regimes during the period of release. Because of the duration of the release and the high altitude (about 1 km) it reached, the radioactivity transported by the multiple plumes from Chernobyl was 

In addition, for comparison purposes, some analytical results from recent measurements are also given. 

A p-type detector was used for samples analyzed before 1995, while the most recent samples were analyzed with an n-type detector. All detectors presented a typical resolution of 1.7 keV for the Co peak at 1.33 MeV. Energy calibration was set with a Canadian (Canmet) reference sample. Efficiency calibration was set with aqueous europium 152 and barium 133 sources used in the same geometry as the unknown samples. Samples were counted from 20000 to 80000 seconds, depending on the mass and intensity of the radioactivity. Cs was quantified from its 661.7keV peak and Cs by means of its 604.7 keV peak. Depending on the Cs or Cs activity, counting time, and mass of honey samples, the counting error was always less than 10 percent. 

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Cesium-134 and Cesium-137 in French honeys collected after the Chernobyl accident... 

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