Tsjernobyl
I have seen a documentary on this area.
A scientist living in the area had a garden from which he produced various crops to measure the radiation build up. This varied from vegetable to vegetable. He measured the food taking samples which he analyzed. I believe initial testing was done by hand held geiger counter / radiation meter.
As for wildlife, initially the number of specimens fell drastically. After a relatively short time - 2-3 years numbers were increasing with most species. After 5 - 10 years most species were abundant compared to non radiated but inhabitated tracts of land of equal size and overall lay out.
Scientists still determined that mortality rates were higher in the radiated area, but so were production rates to the tune that Tsjernobyl had abundant wildlife.
Caveat some species did not thrive - I cant remember which right now.
There were inconclusive signs that some species were evolving and gaining higher radiation tolerances - significantly in birds. But opinions varied.
Does someone have hard facts on levels of radiation i n food considered safe for human consumption? I know for a fact that tolerances in our country are stated with a wide safety margin
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