Related goal
Releases, the risk of releases and the spread of radioactive substances that may cause damage to health or the environment will be minimised. All radioactive waste will be handled safely and in an approved manner.
The levels of caesium-137 in wild reindeer vary both between different areas in Norway and from year to year. The highest levels are generally found in northern parts of Rondane and on Snøhetta.
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The wild reindeer in the northern parts of Rondane were among the populations that were most contaminated by the radioactive fallout from the Chernobyl accident.
In the first years after the accident, high values of radioactive caesium were found. Measurements conducted during the winter months showed levels of caesium-137 in reindeer meat of 13 000 Bq/kg wet weight. The high levels were due to intake of radioactive caesium from contaminated lichen.
There has been little reduction in levels in the last decade. In years with high abundance of mushrooms, the caesium levels in reindeer increase in response to increased mushroom intake by the animals.