Radiocesium levels in humans over a four-year period

Following the Chernobyl accident, Austria was one of the most contaminated Western European countries. Predictions of internal dose in humans due to this contamination were based on the average activities in major dietary products and average consumption rates. We have measured the amount of radiocesium in human adult muscle samples obtained at forensic autopsies within a limited area in Southern Austria over a period of 4 yr. From the measurements, we have estimated a mean individual effective dose equivalent of 252.2 muSv (25.2 mrem) due to internal exposure to radiocesium during this 4-yr period. This estimate, based on actual measurements, is approximately 25% of the predicted dose and is less than 50% of the dose received in the body from naturally occurring potassium-40. Comparisons of radiocesium activities measured in muscle tissues with data obtained after nuclear weapons tests and whole-body countings are given.