Food crops grown in mining communities across the country are being tested as part of research to ascertain the extent of potential radioactive contamination as a result of mining activities in those areas.
Radioactive contamination, also called radiological pollution, is the deposition of, or presence of radioactive substances on grounds or within solids, liquids, or gases which could have long term effects on humans when exposed to.
The research being conducted by the Radiation Protection Institute (RPI) of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) is based on preliminary information that there is potential contamination.
“Food from those areas are at the risk of being heavily contaminated with chemical use, as well as potential radiation content in the ground, but research is underway to ascertain the levels of radiation that actually gets into the food grown there,” the Manager of Environmental Radiation Protection Centre of the RPI, Dr Oscar Adukpo told the Ghanaian Times yesterday.
The interview was on the occasion of World Food Safety Day, celebrated annually on June 7 to draw attention to and mobilise action to prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks and improve human health.
This year’s celebration is on the theme “Safer food, better health.” Dr Adukpo explained that in mining areas, activities of the extractive industries, especially the excavation methods used to enhance natural radiation levels in the soil while the washing and processing of minerals contaminate water bodies.
He said the research, which started three years ago, covers both root crops and cereals and would run over a period of about 10 years, depending on many factors, including funding.
“You cannot just use one period of research to come out conclusively that this is the outcome, but you need to do it within a period of five or 10 years, then you can be sure there is such magnitude of the situation,” he said.
Dr Adukpo, therefore, appealed for financial support.
Aside from the research, he said, the Institute in collaboration with the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) was mandated to monitor and test food of animal origin including poultry and poultry products; meat and meats products; dairy and dairy products and fish, prior to their importation into the country.
He said the exercise which was followed by product certification, was to prevent citizens from consuming radioactive contaminated foods imported into the country.
He said Ghana and other countries adopted issuance of the certificates were introduced decades ago following the Chernobyl nuclear accident in 1986 which raised concerns of radioactive contamination of food.
Dr Adukpo, therefore, advised the public, especially those who buy the aforementioned products in bulk to check the certification of their suppliers and report illegal importation of such materials for national safety.
Source: Ghanaian Times