NRPB - W32 Partitioning of Radionuclides with Sewage Sludge and Transfer along Terrestrial Foodchain Pathways from Sludge-amended Land - A Review of Data

Synopsis

A non-technical summary of this report is available.

Under authorisation, radionuclides are discharged into the sewerage system from facilities such as research laboratories and hospitals. Changes in policy regarding the handling of sewage sludge mean that increasing amounts are being applied to agricultural land. Assessments of the radiological impact of applying radionuclide-bearing sludge to land are therefore required. With support from the Food Standards Agency, NRPB has identified the radionuclides of interest, evaluated information on their partitioning between sewage sludge and liquor and reviewed published data on their uptake from sludge-amended land by crops. The results of this study are described in this report. Requirements for future research are presented together with some associated practical constraints.

Last reviewed: 4 August 2009