Radionuclides released during operations at the Hanford Site could contaminate food and farm products grown nearby. Therefore, a variety of food and farm product samples are collected and analyzed at selected locations around the site. Most samples are collected from locations generally downwind or downstream from the site. Other samples are collected from upwind and distant locations for comparison.

Radionuclide levels in agricultural products occur at levels below the limit of detection in most farm products grown around the Hanford Site. Measurable levels of man-made radioactivity were not detected in vegetable and fruit samples collected in 2007.

Milk is an important food to monitor because radionuclides deposited on grass or alfalfa can result in increased radioactivity in milk. Levels of radionuclides in milk samples collected around the Hanford Site have remained constant in recent years at all routine sampling locations. Current concentrations are very low and do not significantly contribute to human dose.

More information on food and farm product surveillance is available in the 2006 Hanford Site Environmental Report.

For more information, contact:

Brad G. Fritz
Battelle, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
902 Battelle Boulevard, MSIN K6-75
P.O. Box 999 Richland, Washington 99352

Phone: Phone: (509) 371-7107
Fax: Fax: (509) 371-7083

E-mail: bradley.fritz@pnl.gov