RISK ASSESSMENT OF FOOD CONTAMINATED WITH RADIOACTIVE ELEMENTS IN THAILAND, NUCLEAR REACTOR ACCIDENT IN JAPAN, 2011

Abstract

On 11 March 2011, there were earthquake, tsunami and accident at the nuclear power station in Japan, resulting in radioactive contamination in food and environment. Every country including Thailand has monitored and inspected all products originated from Japan. Ministry of Public Health by Thai Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA) reviewed and cancelled two notifications No. 102 (B.E. 2529) and No. 116 (B.E. 2531) on standards that limit the amount of radioactive contamination in food. According to diasters, Thai FDA issued the new notifications based on four steps of risk assessment: hazard identification, dose-response assessment, exposure assessment and risk characterization. The contents of the new notifications were as followed: the total amount of radioactive elements iodine-131 and cesium-134 and cesium-137, contaminated in food should be less than 100 and 500 Bq/kg, respectively and requirement for imported food products originated from Japan. Both notifications are the major measure of Thai FDA to manage and communicate risk related to food contaminated with radioactive elements.