Abstract
The presence of radionuclides such as caesium-137 and strontium-90 in the food chain remains a critical environmental and public health concern, particularly when humans ingest these substances. Kazakhstan, with its history of nuclear testing, particularly at the Semipalatinsk Test Site, has experienced significant residual contamination from past nuclear explosions. This legacy continues to contribute to the presence of caesium-137 and strontium-90 in the environment, posing potential risks to ecology and human health. The study, conducted in Kazakhstan and involving sampling of soil, plants, water and animal products, is a key step towards understanding the extent of radionuclide contamination in the region. One of the novel aspects of this study is its holistic approach, which goes beyond the traditional focus on direct food contamination. The study uniquely examines the environmental pathways that facilitate the transfer of radionuclides from soil and plants to animals, thereby providing a deeper understanding of how contamination can spread through the food chain. This multi-level analysis integrates different environmental matrices, making it one of the first to examine the interconnected dynamics of radionuclide migration through soil, plants, water, and animal products in Kazakhstan. A particularly encouraging finding of this study was the lack of excess activity in milk and meat samples, suggesting that contamination in these specific regions may be within acceptable limits. However, the study's novelty lies not only in its results, but also in its emphasis on the importance of ongoing monitoring. Despite the lack of immediate health threats from these specific samples, the study highlights the need for ongoing surveillance to ensure that radionuclide levels remain within safe limits.