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Noguera A, Bentos Pereira H, Fornaro L. Assessment of radiation hazard indices due to naturally occurring long-life radionuclides in the coastal area of Barra de Valizas, Uruguay. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2023; 45:6455-6470. [PMID: 37318690 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-023-01654-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The Uruguayan east coast has several mineral resources, which include black sand ores in the Barra de Valizas-Aguas Dulces area. Cancer in Uruguay shows non-homogeneous geographical distribution, with the highest standardized mortality ratio (SMR) in the northeast and east region, which includes the aforementioned area and the town of Barra de Valizas. The activity concentration of natural radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th and 40 K) in Barra de Valizas´soil was determined by gamma spectrometry in order to evaluate the radiological hazard for inhabitants and tourists. The outdoor annual effective dose (AEDE), excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR), and annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE) were evaluated for inhabitants with a life expectancy of 77.7 years, a 0.2 and 0.5 occupancy factor, and using the conversion coefficients recommended by United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR). The annual effective dose was also evaluated for both summer and fortnight tourists. The radiological hazard indices for Barra de Valizas inhabitants are higher than the worldwide mean and recommended values. This may contribute to Rocha's higher SRM value, although a direct correlation cannot be assured with the epidemiological information currently available. Social, medical and anthropological studies will be carried out in future to provide data and verify this correlation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Noguera
- Departamento de Desarrollo Tecnológico, Grupo de Desarrollo de Materiales y Estudios Ambientales, Centro Universitario Regional del Este, Universidad de la República, Ruta 9 y Ruta 15, 27000, Rocha, Uruguay.
| | - Heinkel Bentos Pereira
- Departamento de Desarrollo Tecnológico, Grupo de Desarrollo de Materiales y Estudios Ambientales, Centro Universitario Regional del Este, Universidad de la República, Ruta 9 y Ruta 15, 27000, Rocha, Uruguay
| | - Laura Fornaro
- Departamento de Desarrollo Tecnológico, Grupo de Desarrollo de Materiales y Estudios Ambientales, Centro Universitario Regional del Este, Universidad de la República, Ruta 9 y Ruta 15, 27000, Rocha, Uruguay
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2
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Pradana R, Nugraha ED, Wahyudi W, Untara U, Wiyono M, Devriany A, Shilfa SN, Sasaki M, Prasetio H, Winarni ID, Ekaranti E, Nuraeni N, Kranrod C, Iskandar D, Suhariyono G, Surniyantoro HNE, Makhsun M, Widodo S, Omori Y, Hiswara E, Hosoda M, Yoshinaga S, Tokonami S. Car-borne survey and dose assessment from external radiation exposure in Bangka Island. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:89280-89292. [PMID: 37452241 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-28640-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
With a history of more than 200 years of tin mining, Bangka Island has brought along a byproduct of heavy minerals containing radionuclide elements. There are some concerns about this byproduct material contributing to natural radiation in the environment. In this study, a car-borne survey was conducted to accurately assess natural background radiation in Bangka Island. Indoor and outdoor ambient dose rates in 146 houses were also measured to assess the radiation dose from external exposure received by the public. Soil samples were collected and measured using a gamma spectroscopy system to evaluate the contributions of specific radionuclides to external terrestrial exposure. From 3790 measurement points during the car-borne survey, the highest ambient dose equivalent rate was 596 nSv h-1 measured in Muntok area, with a mean value of 101 nSv h-1 and a median value of 95 nSv h-1. The ambient dose equivalent rate distribution map showed a relatively higher value in the northern coastal area of the island, where the Pemali tin deposit is located. The annual effective dose received from external radiation in the 146 houses in Bangka Island ranged from 0.44 to 1.30 mSv year-1, with a median value of 0.66 mSv year-1. The soil contained a relatively high amount of thorium (232Th), which contributed 69% to external radiation exposure in Bangka Island.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radhia Pradana
- Research Center for Safety, Metrology, and Nuclear Technology, The National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN), Tangerang Selatan, 15314, Banten, Indonesia
- Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
| | - Eka Djatnika Nugraha
- Research Center for Safety, Metrology, and Nuclear Technology, The National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN), Tangerang Selatan, 15314, Banten, Indonesia.
| | - Wahyudi Wahyudi
- Research Center for Safety, Metrology, and Nuclear Technology, The National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN), Tangerang Selatan, 15314, Banten, Indonesia
| | - Untara Untara
- Research Center for Safety, Metrology, and Nuclear Technology, The National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN), Tangerang Selatan, 15314, Banten, Indonesia
| | - Muji Wiyono
- Research Center for Safety, Metrology, and Nuclear Technology, The National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN), Tangerang Selatan, 15314, Banten, Indonesia
| | - Ade Devriany
- Health Ministry Polytechnic of Pangkal Pinang, Bangka Tengah, 33148, Bangka Belitung, Indonesia
| | - Sharah Nataz Shilfa
- Research Center for Safety, Metrology, and Nuclear Technology, The National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN), Tangerang Selatan, 15314, Banten, Indonesia
| | - Michiya Sasaki
- Biology and Environmental Chemistry Division, Sustainable System Research Laboratory, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry, Chiba, 270-1194, Japan
| | - Heru Prasetio
- Research Center for Safety, Metrology, and Nuclear Technology, The National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN), Tangerang Selatan, 15314, Banten, Indonesia
| | - Ilma Dwi Winarni
- Research Center for Safety, Metrology, and Nuclear Technology, The National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN), Tangerang Selatan, 15314, Banten, Indonesia
| | - Egnes Ekaranti
- Research Center for Safety, Metrology, and Nuclear Technology, The National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN), Tangerang Selatan, 15314, Banten, Indonesia
| | - Nunung Nuraeni
- Research Center for Safety, Metrology, and Nuclear Technology, The National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN), Tangerang Selatan, 15314, Banten, Indonesia
| | - Chutima Kranrod
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
| | - Dadong Iskandar
- Research Center for Safety, Metrology, and Nuclear Technology, The National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN), Tangerang Selatan, 15314, Banten, Indonesia
| | - Gatot Suhariyono
- Research Center for Safety, Metrology, and Nuclear Technology, The National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN), Tangerang Selatan, 15314, Banten, Indonesia
| | - Harry Nugroho Eko Surniyantoro
- Research Center for Safety, Metrology, and Nuclear Technology, The National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN), Tangerang Selatan, 15314, Banten, Indonesia
| | - Makhsun Makhsun
- Research Center for Safety, Metrology, and Nuclear Technology, The National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN), Tangerang Selatan, 15314, Banten, Indonesia
| | - Susilo Widodo
- Research Center for Safety, Metrology, and Nuclear Technology, The National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN), Tangerang Selatan, 15314, Banten, Indonesia
| | - Yasutaka Omori
- Research Center for Safety, Metrology, and Nuclear Technology, The National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN), Tangerang Selatan, 15314, Banten, Indonesia
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
| | - Eri Hiswara
- Research Center for Safety, Metrology, and Nuclear Technology, The National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN), Tangerang Selatan, 15314, Banten, Indonesia
| | - Masahiro Hosoda
- Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
| | - Shinji Yoshinaga
- Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3, Kasumi, Minami-Ku, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan
| | - Shinji Tokonami
- Research Center for Safety, Metrology, and Nuclear Technology, The National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN), Tangerang Selatan, 15314, Banten, Indonesia
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
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3
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Sakr S, Inoue K, Mohamed A, Ahmed AA, ElFeky MG, Saleh GM, Kamar MS, Arae H, Aono T, Sahoo SK. Distribution of natural radionuclides in NORM samples from North Abu Rusheid area, Egypt. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2023; 266-267:107240. [PMID: 37418811 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2023.107240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
The North Abu Rusheid area in Egypt is a well-known high background natural radiation area (HBNRA) due to the existence of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) in mylonitic rocks. In this study, 27 rock samples were selected for dose estimation studies. 238U and 232Th were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and 40K was measured using sodium iodide (thallium) gamma-ray spectroscopy. The ranges of activity concentrations (Bq/kg) of 238U, 232Th and 40K in the samples varied from 270 ± 2 to 2120 ± 29, 350 ± 2 to 1840 ± 27 and 20 ± 2 to 1390 ± 35 with mean values of 980 ± 349, 770 ± 351, and 640 ± 402 Bq/kg, respectively. The radiological hazard parameters were estimated from activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th and 40K and compared to United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) values. The present study revealed that the hazard parameters were several times higher than the worldwide averages. The U/Th concentration ratio ranged from 0.7 to 3 and could be attributed to the presence of kasolite, uranothorite, zircon, and columbite in mylonitic rocks. From the radiological protection viewpoint, it is necessary to monitor natural radionuclides in these rocks prior to their use in residential and commercial construction materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Sakr
- Tokyo Metropolitan University, 7-2-10 Higashiogu, Arakawa-ku, Tokyo, 116-8551, Japan; Department of Physics, Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt; National Institutes for Quantum Sciences and Technology (QST), 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba, 263-8555, Japan
| | - K Inoue
- Tokyo Metropolitan University, 7-2-10 Higashiogu, Arakawa-ku, Tokyo, 116-8551, Japan
| | - A Mohamed
- Department of Physics, Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt
| | - A A Ahmed
- Department of Physics, Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt
| | - M G ElFeky
- Nuclear Materials Authority, P.O. Box 530, El Maadi, Cairo, Egypt
| | - G M Saleh
- Nuclear Materials Authority, P.O. Box 530, El Maadi, Cairo, Egypt
| | - M S Kamar
- Nuclear Materials Authority, P.O. Box 530, El Maadi, Cairo, Egypt
| | - H Arae
- National Institutes for Quantum Sciences and Technology (QST), 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba, 263-8555, Japan
| | - T Aono
- National Institutes for Quantum Sciences and Technology (QST), 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba, 263-8555, Japan
| | - S K Sahoo
- National Institutes for Quantum Sciences and Technology (QST), 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba, 263-8555, Japan.
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Yamaguchi M, Tatara Y, Nugraha ED, Ramadhani D, Tamakuma Y, Sato Y, Miura T, Hosoda M, Yoshinaga S, Syaifudin M, Kashiwakura I, Tokonami S. Detection of biological responses to low-dose radiation in humans. Free Radic Biol Med 2022; 184:196-207. [PMID: 35447332 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2022.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
It has been considered difficult to detect the biological effects of low-dose radiation exposure below approximately 100 mSv in humans. Serum proteomic analysis and oxidative modification profiling were conducted with blood samples collected from residents of a newly discovered high-level natural background radiation area (annual effective dose approximately 50 mSv y-1) and normal-level area (1.22 mSv y-1) in Mamuju, Indonesia, where many people have been living for generations. Dose-dependent oxidative modifications in amino acid sequences of human serum albumin, especially the 162nd and 356th tyrosine residues and 111th and 470th methionine residues, were found. None of these findings have been reported in humans exposed to chronic low-dose radiation. It can be used as a biomarker not only for the assessment of the presence or absence of radiation exposure but also for dose prediction in living organisms for chronic radiation. These results suggest that traces of radiation exposure are recorded in serum albumin and that there is a possibility of a new methodology that can evaluate biological responses below 100 mSv.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaru Yamaguchi
- Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Sciences, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
| | - Yota Tatara
- Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, 5 Zaifu-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8562, Japan
| | - Eka Djatnika Nugraha
- Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Sciences, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan; Center for Technology of Radiation Safety and Metrology, National Nuclear Energy Agency, JI. Lebak Bulus Raya No. 49, Jakarta Selatan, 12440, Indonesia
| | - Dwi Ramadhani
- Center for Technology of Radiation Safety and Metrology, National Nuclear Energy Agency, JI. Lebak Bulus Raya No. 49, Jakarta Selatan, 12440, Indonesia
| | - Yuki Tamakuma
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Sato
- Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Sciences, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
| | - Tomisato Miura
- Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Sciences, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan; Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
| | - Masahiro Hosoda
- Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Sciences, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan; Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
| | - Shinji Yoshinaga
- Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan
| | - Mukh Syaifudin
- Center for Technology of Radiation Safety and Metrology, National Nuclear Energy Agency, JI. Lebak Bulus Raya No. 49, Jakarta Selatan, 12440, Indonesia
| | - Ikuo Kashiwakura
- Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Sciences, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan; Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan.
| | - Shinji Tokonami
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
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5
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Omori Y, Sasaki R, Otsuki Y, Sorimachi A, Ishikawa T. Walking survey technique for ambient gamma dose rate measurement established in Fukushima Medical University. J NUCL SCI TECHNOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/00223131.2021.2023370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yasutaka Omori
- Department of Radiation Physics and Chemistry, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Japan
| | - Ryo Sasaki
- MD Program, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Yuto Otsuki
- MD Program, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Atsuyuki Sorimachi
- Department of Radiation Physics and Chemistry, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
- Integrated Center for Science and Humanities, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Ishikawa
- Department of Radiation Physics and Chemistry, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
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Su C, Pan M, Zhang Y, Kan H, Zhao Z, Deng F, Zhao B, Qian H, Zeng X, Sun Y, Liu W, Mo J, Guo J, Zheng X, Sun C, Zou Z, Li H, Huang C. Indoor exposure levels of radon in dwellings, schools, and offices in China from 2000 to 2020: A systematic review. INDOOR AIR 2022; 32:e12920. [PMID: 34432341 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
After decades of development, the indoor environment in China has changed. A systematic review was conducted from peer-reviewed scientific papers with field test data of indoor radon in China from 2000 to 2020 for three types of buildings. The mean concentrations of indoor radon for dwellings, school buildings, and office buildings are 54.6, 56.1, and 54.9 Bq/m3 . The indoor radon concentration was related to seasons, climate regions, ventilation, decoration, and other factors such as soil and outdoor air. Colder seasons, especially in severe colder areas of China, newer decorated buildings, closed windows, and doors were all associated with higher indoor radon concentrations. Variables like climate region and ventilation showed statistical significance in the correlation analysis. Regarding the increasing trend of indoor radon concentration in China during the last two decades, further study of indoor radon is necessary especially for school buildings and office buildings, and will help access its environmental burden of disease in China more accurately.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxiao Su
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Minyi Pan
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yinping Zhang
- Department of Building Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Haidong Kan
- School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhuohui Zhao
- School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Furong Deng
- School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Zhao
- Department of Building Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Hua Qian
- School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
- Engineering Research Center of BEEE, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangang Zeng
- School of Environment and Natural Resources, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Yuexia Sun
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Institute for Health and Environment, Chongqing University of Science and Technology, Chongqing, China
| | - Jinhan Mo
- Department of Building Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jianguo Guo
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaohong Zheng
- School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
- Engineering Research Center of BEEE, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Chanjuan Sun
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhijun Zou
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Hao Li
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Chen Huang
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
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Nugraha ED, Hosoda M, Tamakuma Y, Kranrod C, Mellawati J, Akata N, Tokonami S. A unique high natural background radiation area in Indonesia: a brief review from the viewpoint of dose assessments. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-021-07908-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Nazir S, Sahoo BK, Rani S, Masood S, Mishra R, Ahmad N, Rashid I, Zahoor Ahmad S, Simnani S. Radon mapping in groundwater and indoor environs of Budgam, Jammu and Kashmir. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-021-07856-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Veerasamy N, Murugan R, Kasar S, Inoue K, Kavasi N, Balakrishnan S, Arae H, Fukushi M, Sahoo SK. Geochemical characterization of monazite sands based on rare earth elements, thorium and uranium from a natural high background radiation area in Tamil Nadu, India. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2021; 232:106565. [PMID: 33714078 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2021.106565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The Kanyakumari coastal area in the southernmost part of Tamil Nadu, India is a well-known natural high background radiation area due to the abundance of monazite in beach placer deposits. In the present study, the concentrations of major oxides, rare earth elements (REEs), Th and U were measured to understand geochemical characteristics of these monazite sands. Based on the ambient dose rate, 23 locations covering an area of about 60 km along the coast were selected for sample collection. The concentrations of U and Th ranged from 1.1 to 737.8 μg g-1 and 25.2-12250.6 μg g-1, respectively. The Th/U ratio ranged from 2.2 to 61.6, which clearly indicated that Th was the dominant contributing radionuclide to the enhanced natural radioactivity in this coastal region. The chondrite-normalized REEs pattern of the placer deposits showed enrichment in light REEs and depletion in heavy REEs with a negative Eu anomaly that indicated the monazite sands were derived from granite, charnockite, and granitoid rocks from the Nagercoil and the Trivandrum Blocks of the Southern Granulite Terrain.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Veerasamy
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 7-2-10 Higashiogu, Arakawa-ku, Tokyo, 116-8551, Japan; Environmental Radionuclides Research Group, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Sciences and Technology, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba, 263-8555, Japan
| | - R Murugan
- Environmental Radionuclides Research Group, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Sciences and Technology, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba, 263-8555, Japan
| | - S Kasar
- Environmental Radionuclides Research Group, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Sciences and Technology, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba, 263-8555, Japan
| | - K Inoue
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 7-2-10 Higashiogu, Arakawa-ku, Tokyo, 116-8551, Japan
| | - N Kavasi
- Environmental Radionuclides Research Group, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Sciences and Technology, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba, 263-8555, Japan
| | - S Balakrishnan
- Department of Earth Sciences, Pondicherry University, R Venkat Raman Nagar, Kalapet, Puducherry, 605014, India
| | - H Arae
- Environmental Radionuclides Research Group, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Sciences and Technology, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba, 263-8555, Japan
| | - M Fukushi
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 7-2-10 Higashiogu, Arakawa-ku, Tokyo, 116-8551, Japan
| | - S K Sahoo
- Environmental Radionuclides Research Group, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Sciences and Technology, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba, 263-8555, Japan.
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10
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Hosoda M, Nugraha ED, Akata N, Yamada R, Tamakuma Y, Sasaki M, Kelleher K, Yoshinaga S, Suzuki T, Rattanapongs CP, Furukawa M, Yamaguchi M, Iwaoka K, Sanada T, Miura T, Iskandar D, Pudjadi E, Kashiwakura I, Tokonami S. A unique high natural background radiation area - Dose assessment and perspectives. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 750:142346. [PMID: 33182182 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The biological effects of low dose-rate radiation exposures on humans remains unknown. In fact, the Japanese nation still struggles with this issue after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. Recently, we have found a unique area in Indonesia where naturally high radiation levels are present, resulting in chronic low dose-rate radiation exposures. We aimed to estimate the comprehensive dose due to internal and external exposures at the particularly high natural radiation area, and to discuss the enhancement mechanism of radon. A car-borne survey was conducted to estimate the external doses from terrestrial radiation. Indoor radon measurements were made in 47 dwellings over three to five months, covering the two typical seasons, to estimate the internal doses. Atmospheric radon gases were simultaneously collected at several heights to evaluate the vertical distribution. The absorbed dose rates in air in the study area vary widely between 50 nGy h-1 and 1109 nGy h-1. Indoor radon concentrations ranged from 124 Bq m-3 to 1015 Bq m-3. That is, the indoor radon concentrations measured exceed the reference levels of 100 Bq m-3 recommended by the World Health Organization. Furthermore, the outdoor radon concentrations measured were comparable to the high indoor radon concentrations. The annual effective dose due to external and internal exposures in the study area was estimated to be 27 mSv using the median values. It was found that many residents are receiving radiation exposure from natural radionuclides over the dose limit for occupational exposure to radiation workers. This enhanced outdoor radon concentration might be as a result of the stable atmospheric conditions generated at an exceptionally low altitude. Our findings suggest that this area provides a unique opportunity to conduct an epidemiological study related to health effects due to chronic low dose-rate radiation exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Hosoda
- Depertment of Radiation Science, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Sciences, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan; Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan
| | - Eka Djatnika Nugraha
- Depertment of Radiation Science, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Sciences, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan; Center for Technology of Radiation Safety and Metrology, National Nuclear Energy Agency, JI. Lebak Bulus Raya No. 49, Jakarta 12440, Indonesia
| | - Naofumi Akata
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan
| | - Ryohei Yamada
- Depertment of Radiation Science, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Sciences, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan; Nuclear Fuel Cycle Engineering Laboratories, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, 4-33, Muramatsu, Tokai-mura, Naka-gun, Ibaraki 319-1194, Japan
| | - Yuki Tamakuma
- Depertment of Radiation Science, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Sciences, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan; Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan
| | - Michiya Sasaki
- Radiation Safety Research Center, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry, 2-11-1 Iwado kita, Komae, Tokyo 201-8511, Japan
| | - Kevin Kelleher
- Office of Radiation Protection and Environmental Monitoring, Environmental Protection Agency, Richview, Clonskeagh Road, Dublin 14, Ireland
| | - Shinji Yoshinaga
- Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3, Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan
| | - Takahito Suzuki
- Depertment of Radiation Science, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Sciences, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan
| | - Chanis Pornnumpa Rattanapongs
- Department of Applied Radiation and Isotopes, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, 50 Ngamwongwan, Lat Yao, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Masahide Furukawa
- Department of Physics and Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara-cho, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
| | - Masaru Yamaguchi
- Depertment of Radiation Science, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Sciences, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan
| | - Kazuki Iwaoka
- Center for Radiation Protection Knowledge, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, 4-9-1, Anagawa, Inage, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Sanada
- Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University of Science, 7-Jo 15-4-1 Maeda, Teine, Sapporo, Hokkaido 006-8585, Japan
| | - Tomisato Miura
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan
| | - Dadong Iskandar
- Center for Technology of Radiation Safety and Metrology, National Nuclear Energy Agency, JI. Lebak Bulus Raya No. 49, Jakarta 12440, Indonesia
| | - Eko Pudjadi
- Center for Technology of Radiation Safety and Metrology, National Nuclear Energy Agency, JI. Lebak Bulus Raya No. 49, Jakarta 12440, Indonesia
| | - Ikuo Kashiwakura
- Depertment of Radiation Science, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Sciences, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan
| | - Shinji Tokonami
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan.
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Veerasamy N, Sahoo SK, Inoue K, Arae H, Fukushi M. Geochemical behavior of uranium and thorium in sand and sandy soil samples from a natural high background radiation area of the Odisha coast, India. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:31339-31349. [PMID: 32483717 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-09370-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Owing to their natural radioactivity, uranium (U) and thorium (Th) play significant roles in environmental sciences for monitoring radiation dose and in geological sciences for understanding sedimentary processes. The Odisha coastal area, in eastern India, is a well-known high background radiation area that is rich in monazites and rutile. This area was selected to study geochemical characteristics of U and Th in sand and sandy soil samples. The concentrations of U and Th were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The median, geometric mean, and standard deviation for U were determined to be 6, 4.5, and 2.5 μg/g and for Th were 186, 123.3, and 3.1 μg/g, respectively. Major element concentrations were evaluated using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy to get the mineralogical composition and state of chemical weathering. The ratios of Th/U and Th/K varied from 4 to 37 and from 13 to 1058, respectively. These results clearly indicate that the samples from the coastal region were formed in an oxidizing and intense chemical weathering terrestrial environment with an enrichment of radiogenic heavy minerals (monazites and zircon) and clay mineral association. Since the majority of the samples have undergone moderate to intense weathering in the oxidizing environment, U is leached from the soil and sand matrix. Eventually, Th resides in the matrix and becomes a major source for radiation exposure in the environment. The high ratios of Th/U, along with the strong positive correlation between Th and P2O5, evidence the enrichment of the Th-bearing radioactive mineral, monazite, in these samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nimelan Veerasamy
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 7-2-10 Higashiogu, Arakawa-ku, Tokyo, 116-8551, Japan
- Environmental Radionuclides Research Group, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Sciences and Technology (QST), 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba, 263-8555, Japan
| | - Sarata Kumar Sahoo
- Environmental Radionuclides Research Group, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Sciences and Technology (QST), 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba, 263-8555, Japan.
| | - Kazumasa Inoue
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 7-2-10 Higashiogu, Arakawa-ku, Tokyo, 116-8551, Japan
| | - Hideki Arae
- Environmental Radionuclides Research Group, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Sciences and Technology (QST), 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba, 263-8555, Japan
| | - Masahiro Fukushi
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 7-2-10 Higashiogu, Arakawa-ku, Tokyo, 116-8551, Japan
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12
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Kranrod C, Tamakuma Y, Hosoda M, Tokonami S. Importance of Discriminative Measurement for Radon Isotopes and Its Utilization in the Environment and Lessons Learned from Using the RADUET Monitor. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E4141. [PMID: 32531953 PMCID: PMC7312857 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17114141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Radon (222Rn) and thoron (220Rn), sources of natural background radiation, have been the subjects of long-standing studies, including research into radon and thoron as major causes of lung cancer at domestic and international levels. In this regard, radon and thoron measurement studies have been widely conducted all over the world. Generally, the techniques used relate to passive nuclear track detectors. Some surveys have shown that passive monitors for radon are sensitive to thoron, and hence some measured results have probably overestimated radon concentrations. This study investigated radon and thoron measurements in domestic and international surveys using the passive radon-thoron discriminative monitor, commercially named RADUET. This paper attempts to provide an understanding of discriminative measurements of radon isotopes and to present an evidence-based roadmap.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chutima Kranrod
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan; (C.K.); (Y.T.); (M.H.)
- Natural Radiation Survey and Analysis Research Unit, Department of Nuclear Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Yuki Tamakuma
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan; (C.K.); (Y.T.); (M.H.)
- Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki 036-8564, Aomori, Japan
| | - Masahiro Hosoda
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan; (C.K.); (Y.T.); (M.H.)
- Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki 036-8564, Aomori, Japan
| | - Shinji Tokonami
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan; (C.K.); (Y.T.); (M.H.)
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13
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Simultaneous measurements of radon, thoron and their progeny for inhalation dose assessment in indoors of Srinagar, J&K, India. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-020-07233-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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14
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Omori Y, Sorimachi A, Gun-Aajav M, Enkhgerel N, Oyunbolor G, Palam E, Yamada C. ELEVATION OF GAMMA DOSE RATE BY CONSTRUCTION OF THE ASIAN HIGHWAY 3 (AH3) BETWEEN ULAANBAATAR AND SAINSHAND, MONGOLIA. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2019; 184:127-134. [PMID: 30307569 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncy173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Revised: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The present study aimed at examining changes of gamma radiation level associated with road construction in Mongolia. A car-borne survey of gamma dose rate was made for a paved, ~450-km long part of the Asian Highway 3 between Ulaanbaatar and Sainshand. The gamma dose rates ranged from 48 to 173 nGy/h. Elevation of the gamma dose rates was observed only on a 86-km long segment of the survey route which was newly constructed from 2011 to 2013. The gamma dose rates over the newer paved segment were twice as high as those over the bare dirt surface alongside it. Outdoor measurements of gamma-ray pulse height distributions also indicated an abundance of natural radionuclides, especially 232Th-series elements in road materials. These findings suggest that the gamma dose rates were elevated by introduction of road materials containing large amounts of natural radionuclides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasutaka Omori
- Department of Radiation Physics and Chemistry, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Atsuyuki Sorimachi
- Department of Radiation Physics and Chemistry, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Manlaijav Gun-Aajav
- The Executive Office of the Nuclear Energy Commission, Uildverchid Street 2, Khan Uul District, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Nyamdavaa Enkhgerel
- The Executive Office of the Nuclear Energy Commission, Uildverchid Street 2, Khan Uul District, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Galnemekh Oyunbolor
- The Executive Office of the Nuclear Energy Commission, Uildverchid Street 2, Khan Uul District, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Enkhtuya Palam
- National Center for Public Health, Ministry of Health, 17 Peace Avenue, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Chieri Yamada
- Department of Public Health Nursing for International Radiation Exposure, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima, Japan
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15
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He Z, Xiao D, Lv L, Zhou Q, Shan J, Qiu S, Wu X. Controlling 212Bi to 212Pb activity concentration ratio in thoron chambers. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2017; 178-179:77-83. [PMID: 28797795 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2017.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2017] [Revised: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
It is necessary to establish a reference atmosphere in a thoron chamber containing various ratios of 212Bi to 212Pb activity concentrations (C(212Bi)/C(212Pb)) to simulate typical environmental conditions (e.g., indoor or underground atmospheres). In this study, a novel method was developed for establishing and controlling C(212Bi)/C(212Pb) in a thoron chamber system based on an aging chamber and air recirculation loops which alter the ventilation rate. The effects of main factors on the C(212Bi)/C(212Pb) were explored, and a steady-state theoretical model was derived to calculate the ratio. The results show that the C(212Bi)/C(212Pb) inside the chamber is mainly dependent on ventilation rate. Ratios ranging from 0.33 to 0.83 are available under various ventilation. The stability coefficient of the ratios is better than 7%. The experimental results are close to the theoretical calculated results, which indicates that the model can serve as a guideline for the quantitative control of C(212Bi)/C(212Pb).
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengzhong He
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Detao Xiao
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China.
| | - Lidan Lv
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Qingzhi Zhou
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Jian Shan
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Shoukang Qiu
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Xijun Wu
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
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16
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Omori Y, Tokonami S, Sahoo SK, Ishikawa T, Sorimachi A, Hosoda M, Kudo H, Pornnumpa C, Nair RRK, Jayalekshmi PA, Sebastian P, Akiba S. Radiation dose due to radon and thoron progeny inhalation in high-level natural radiation areas of Kerala, India. JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION 2017; 37:111-126. [PMID: 28002043 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6498/37/1/111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
In order to evaluate internal exposure to radon and thoron, concentrations for radon, thoron, and thoron progeny were measured for 259 dwellings located in high background radiation areas (HBRAs, outdoor external dose: 3-5 mGy y-1) and low background radiation areas (control areas, outdoor external dose: 1 mGy y-1) in Karunagappally Taluk, Kerala, India. The measurements were conducted using passive-type radon-thoron detectors and thoron progeny detectors over two six-month measurement periods from June 2010 to June 2011. The results showed no major differences in radon and thoron progeny concentrations between the HBRAs and the control areas. The geometric mean of the annual effective dose due to radon and thoron was calculated as 0.10 and 0.44 mSv, respectively. The doses were small, but not negligible compared with the external dose in the two areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasutaka Omori
- Research Center for Radiation Protection, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan. Current address: Department of Radiation Physics and Chemistry, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
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17
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Hosoda M, Kudo H, Iwaoka K, Yamada R, Suzuki T, Tamakuma Y, Tokonami S. Characteristic of thoron ( 220Rn) in environment. Appl Radiat Isot 2016; 120:7-10. [PMID: 27894046 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2016.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Revised: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
This paper describes importance of 220Rn (hereafter thoron) progeny measurement for the dose estimation. Although the spatial distribution of thoron activity concentration strongly depends on the distance from wall surface as an indoor thoron source), a homogeneous distribution was expected to be observed for 212Pb activity concentration which was one of thoron progeny. Furthermore, the mean equilibrium factor for thoron obtained by the recent measurements in several countries widely ranged from 0.008 to 0.07. Therefore the bronchial dose evaluated using the equilibrium factor and activity concentration of thoron instead of thoron progeny activity concentration may have a large uncertainty. Thus, the thoron progeny measurement should be investigated at each measurement point for the dose estimation for thoron.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Hosoda
- Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Science, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan
| | - Hiromi Kudo
- Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Science, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan
| | - Kazuki Iwaoka
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan
| | - Ryohei Yamada
- Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Science, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan
| | - Takahito Suzuki
- Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Science, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan
| | - Yuki Tamakuma
- Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Science, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan
| | - Shinji Tokonami
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan.
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18
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Omori Y, Prasad G, Sorimachi A, Sahoo SK, Ishikawa T, Vidya Sagar D, Ramola RC, Tokonami S. Long-term measurements of residential radon, thoron, and thoron progeny concentrations around the Chhatrapur placer deposit, a high background radiation area in Odisha, India. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2016; 162-163:371-378. [PMID: 27348042 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2015] [Revised: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 06/11/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The Chhatrapur placer deposit is found in a high background radiation area which has been recently identified on the southeastern coast of India. Previously, some geochemical studies of this area were carried out to assess external dose from radionuclides-bearing heavy mineral sands. In this study, radon, thoron and thoron progeny concentrations were measured in about 100 dwellings during three seasons (autumn-winter, summer, and rainy) in a 10- to 12-month period and annual doses due to inhalation of them were evaluated. The measurements were made by passive-type radon-thoron discriminative detectors and thoron progeny detectors in which solid state nuclear track detectors were deployed. The results show that radon and thoron concentrations differ by one order of magnitude depending on exposure periods, while thoron progeny concentration is nearly constant throughout the year. Since thorium-rich sand is distributed in the studied area, exposure to thoron is equal to, or exceeds, exposure to radon and is not negligible for dose evaluation. Based on the measurements, doses due to inhalation of radon and thoron are evaluated as 0.1-1.6 mSv y-1 and 0.2-3.8 mSv y-1, respectively. The total dose is 0.8-4.6 mSv y-1, which is the same order of magnitude as the worldwide value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasutaka Omori
- Research Center for Radiation Protection, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Ganesh Prasad
- Department of Physics, H.N.B. Garhwal University, Badshahi Thaul Campus, Tehri Garhwal 249199, India
| | - Atsuyuki Sorimachi
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan
| | - Sarata Kumar Sahoo
- Research Center for Radiation Protection, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Ishikawa
- Research Center for Radiation Protection, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | | | - Rakesh Chand Ramola
- Department of Physics, H.N.B. Garhwal University, Badshahi Thaul Campus, Tehri Garhwal 249199, India
| | - Shinji Tokonami
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan.
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