Monitoring of radiation in the environment in the Netherlands. Results in 2002

The Dutch government is compelled to measure radioactivity in the environment under terms of the Euratom Treaty of 1957. This report presents the results of radioactivity measurements in the Dutch environment in 2002. The measurements were carried out by RIVM, RIZA, RIKZ and Inspectorate for Health Protection and Veterinary Public Health. Radioactivity measurements were carried out on airborne particles, deposition, surface water, seawater, drinking water and food (honey, powdered milk, game, poultry, blueberry and chanterelle). No measurements were performed on milk since 1998. Results for ambient dose equivalent rates have been obtained from the National Radioactivity Monitoring Network. In 2002 two unusual levels of radioactivity were found in the Dutch environment. The activity concentration of 210Pb in air dust during week 45 (3000 about 300 microBq5m-3) is the highest concentration since 1991. A deposited 7Be-activity as high as that of week 43 (158 about 19 Bq5m-2) has not occurred since 1998. Furthermore, the 3H-activity in the Meuse exceeded the target value (10 Bq5L-1) in ten out of thirteen samples taken. However the yearly average (15 Bq5L-1) is within range of previous years. The Dutch monitoring program deviates from the recommendations of the European union, mainly concerning the measurement of drinking water, milk and food