Abstract:
As a result of the Chernobyl accident on April 25, 1986. possible radioactive contamination
of honey bees and cheese sampled in several areas of the United States were measured. Of
bees collected in May and June of 1986 in both Oregon and New York, only those from Oregon
showed detectable levels of cesium-134 (T1/2 2.05 years), a radionuclide which would have
originated from the Chernobyl incident. Cheese produced in Oregon and New York before the
accident showed only cesium-137 (Tip 30.23 years) but cheese produced afterwards (May and
September, 1986) in Oregon contained cesium-134. Cheese produced in Ohio and California at
the time of the accident and thereafter contained only cesium-137. In general, the levels of
radioactivity were higher in the West coast samples as compared to those taken in the East.
The levels of radioactivity detected were considered to be toxicologically of no consequence.
