Plasma and Fusion Research

Volume 12, 1305031 (2017)

Letters

Consideration on the Necessity of Tritium Limit in Foods in Japan — Perspective on the Current Food Regulation
Kazuki IWAOKA, Naofumi AKATA1,2), Masahiro HOSODA3) and Shinji TOKONAMI
Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Honcho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan
1)
National Institute for Fusion Science, 322-6 Oroshi-cho, Toki, Gifu 509-5292, Japan
2)
SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), 322-6 Oroshi-cho, Toki, Gifu 509-5292, Japan
3)
Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Sciences, 66-1 Honcho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan
(Received 19 January 2017 / Accepted 9 June 2017 / Published 19 July 2017)

Abstract

The current radioactive cesium limit in food in Japan was established on the basis of a permissible dose relating to the food regulation in Japan (1 mSvy−1) on April 2012. The current limit only accounts for the influence of 134Cs, 137Cs, 90Sr, 238Pu, 239Pu, 240Pu, 241Pu, and 106Ru; however, the contribution due to other radionuclides such as 3H is not included. In this study, the principle focus was the influence of 3H and the necessity for establishing permissible 3H food contamination limits in the light of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident. It was found that no adjustment to 3H limits in food was required due the FDNPP accident. This is because effective doses that include the contributions of 3H would not exceed the permissible dose for food regulation in Japan as long as regulatory controls are performed using the current limits. The results and concepts in this study will prove helpful for food regulation when fusion reactors with 3H are operational.

Keywords

regulation, food limit, tritium, nuclear fusion, regulatory science, dose estimation

DOI: 10.1585/pfr.12.1305031

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