Characteristic of thoron (220Rn) in environment

The First Attempt to Reevaluate Radon and Thoron Exposure in Gansu Province Study Using Radon-Thoron Discriminating Measurement Technique

Although the epidemiological studies provide evidence for an increased risk of lung cancer risk associated with residential radon, an issue of radon-thoron discrimination remains to be solved. In this study, an updated evaluation of lung cancer risk among the residents in Gansu, China was performed where one of the major epidemiological studies on indoor radon demonstrated an increased risk of lung cancer. We analyzed data from a hospital-based case-control study that included 30 lung cancer cases and 39 controls with special attention to internal exposure assessment based on the discriminative measurement technique of radon isotopes. Results from the analyses showed non-significant increased lung cancer risks; odds ratios (ORs) adjusted for age, smoking, and total income were 0.35 (95% CI: 0.07–1.74) and 0.27 (95% CI: 0.04–1.74) for groups living in residences with indoor radon concentrations of 50–100 Bq m⁻³ and over 100 Bq m⁻³, respectively, compared with those with < 50 Bq m⁻³ indoor radon concentrations. Although the small sample size hampers the usefulness of present analyses, our study suggests that reevaluation of lung cancer risk associated with residential radon in the epidemiological studies will be required on the basis of precise exposure assessment.

Influence of various factors on the value of thoron emanation coefficient

The “powder sandwich” method was adapted to the measuring equipment at the Laboratory of Radiometric Expertise, IFJ PAN (Kraków, Poland). The versatility of the method has been confirmed. The values of thoron emanation coefficients (f) for 16 materials have been determined. It has been found that the value of thoron emanation coefficient is not directly dependent on the concentration of 224Ra, other factors are also important, e.g. the size of the grains, the inter-grain space and the distribution of radium atoms in the grain. The influence of the grain size on the value of thoron emanation coefficient was investigated.

Comprehensive exposure assessments from the viewpoint of health in a unique high natural background radiation area, Mamuju, Indonesia

Mamuju is one of the regions in Indonesia which retains natural conditions but has relatively high exposure to natural radiation. The goals of the present study were to characterize exposure of the entire Mamuju region as a high natural background radiation area (HNBRA) and to assess the existing exposure as a means for radiation protection of the public and the environment. A cross-sectional study method was used with cluster sampling areas by measuring all parameters that contribute to external and internal radiation exposures. It was determined that Mamuju was a unique HNBRA with the annual effective dose between 17 and 115 mSv, with an average of 32 mSv. The lifetime cumulative dose calculation suggested that Mamuju residents could receive as much as 2.2 Sv on average which is much higher than the average dose of atomic bomb survivors for which risks of cancer and non-cancer diseases are demonstrated. The study results are new scientific data allowing better understanding of health effects related to chronic low-dose-rate radiation exposure and they can be used as the main input in a future epidemiology study.

Support activities in Namie Town, Fukushima undertaken by Hirosaki University

This paper does not necessarily reflect the views of the International Commission on Radiological Protection.Several radiation monitoring research projects are underway on dose assessment, biological analysis, and risk communication under an agreement with Namie Town. Indoor radon and thoron progeny concentrations have been measured using passive-type monitors to estimate internal doses due to inhalation. In addition, airborne radiocaesium concentrations at five points in Namie Town have been analysed using a high-purity germanium detector to estimate internal doses for comparison with radon. External radiation doses from natural and artificial radionuclides have also been estimated using an in-situ gamma-ray spectrometer. Other support activities are mentioned briefly in this article.

A simple technique for measuring the activity size distribution of radon and thoron progeny aerosols

In this study, a portable cascade impactor was developed to more efficiently determine the activity size distribution of attached radon and thoron progeny in a natural environment. The developed impactor consisted of four stages with a backup filter stage for collection of the aerosol samples. The aerosol cut points were set for 10, 2.5, 1, and 0.5 μm at a sampling rate of 4 L min^-1. Five CR-39 chips were used as alpha detectors for each stage. To separate the alpha particles emitted from radon and thoron progeny, the CR-39 detectors were covered with aluminium-vaporized Mylar films. The thickness of each film was adjusted to allow alpha particles emitted from radon and thoron progeny to reach the surface of the CR-39 detectors. The particle cut-off characteristics of each stage were determined by mono-dispersive aerosols with particle sizes ranging from 0.1 to 1.23 μm from the collection efficiency curve. The test results showed that the respective cut-off size of stages 3 and 4 were close to the designed cut-points. Validation of the technique by comparison with two commercial devices confirmed that the developed technique could provide the necessary information to estimate the activity size distribution of attached radon and thoron progeny for dose assessment, especially, in a field survey where direct electric power is not available.

Long-Term Measurements of Radon and Thoron Exhalation Rates from the Ground Using the Vertical Distributions of Their Activity Concentrations

A long-term measurement technique of radon exhalation rate was previously developed using a passive type radon and thoron discriminative monitor and a ventilated type accumulation chamber. In the present study, this technique was applied to evaluate the thoron exhalation rate as well, and long-term measurements of radon and thoron exhalation rates were conducted for four years in Gifu Prefecture. The ventilated type accumulation chamber (0.8 × 0.8 × 1.0 m³) with an open bottom was embedded 15 cm into the ground. The vertical distributions of radon and thoron activity concentrations from the ground were obtained using passive type radon-thoron discriminative monitors (RADUETs). The RADUETs were placed at 1, 3, 10, 30, and 80 cm above the ground inside the accumulation chamber. The measurements were conducted from autumn 2014 to autumn 2018. These long-term results were found to be in good agreement with the values obtained by another methodology. The radon exhalation rates from the ground showed a clearly seasonal variation. Similar to findings of previous studies, radon exhalation rates from summer to autumn were relatively higher than those from winter to spring. In contrast, thoron exhalation rates were not found to show seasonal variation.

Measurement of Indoor Thoron Gas Concentrations Using a Radon-Thoron Discriminative Passive Type Monitor: Nationwide Survey in Japan

As part of a nationwide survey of thoron (220Rn) in Japan, the indoor 220Rn gas concentrations in 940 dwellings were measured throughout one year, from 1993 to 1996, using a passive type 222Rn-220Rn discriminative monitor. The monitor was placed in a bedroom or a living room in each house for four successive three-month periods. The mean annual indoor 220Rn concentration was estimated from the four measurements in each house. The arithmetic mean, the median and the geometric mean for indoor 220Rn concentrations in 899 dwellings were 20.1, 9.6 and 10.0 Bq m-3, respectively. The 220Rn concentrations exhibited a log-normal distribution. It was found that the 220Rn concentrations were dependent on the nature of the materials used for wall construction and also on the distance of measurement from the wall. Significant seasonal variations in the 220Rn concentration were not observed. It would seem that the nature of the wall material contributed to the increased indoor 220Rn concentrations.

Characteristics of Thoron (220Rn) and Its Progeny in the Indoor Environment

The present paper outlines characteristics of thoron and its progeny in the indoor environment. Since the half-life of thoron (²²⁰Rn) is very short (55.6 s), its behavior is quite different from the isotope radon (²²²Rn, half-life 3.8 days) in the environment. Analyses of radon and lung cancer risk have revealed a clearly positive relationship in epidemiological studies among miners and residents. However, there is no epidemiological evidence for thoron exposure causing lung cancer risk. In contrast to this, a dosimetric approach has been approved in the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) Publication 137, from which new dose conversion factors for radon and thoron progenies can be obtained. They are given as 16.8 and 107 nSv (Bq m^-3 h)^-1, respectively. It implies that even a small quantity of thoron progeny will induce higher radiation exposure compared to radon. Thus, an interest in thoron exposure is increasing among the relevant scientific communities. As measurement technologies for thoron and its progeny have been developed, they are now readily available. This paper reviews measurement technologies, activity levels, dosimetry and resulting doses. Although thoron has been underestimated in the past, recent findings have revealed that reassessment of risks due to radon exposure may need to take the presence of thoron and its progeny into account.

Japanese population dose from natural radiation

The radiation doses from natural radiation sources in Japan are reviewed using the latest knowledge. The United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) and the Nuclear Safety Research Association report the annual effective doses from cosmic rays, terrestrial radiation, inhalation, and ingestion as natural sources. In this paper, the total annual effective dose from cosmic-ray exposure is evaluated as 0.29 mSv. The arithmetic mean of the annual effective dose from external exposure to terrestrial radiation is 0.33 mSv for the Japanese population using the data of nationwide surveys by the National Institute of Radiological Sciences. Previously in Japan, although three different groups have conducted nationwide indoor radon surveys using passive-type radon monitors, to date only the Japan Chemical Analysis Center (JCAC) has performed a nationwide radon survey using a unified method for radon measurements conducted indoor, outdoor, and in the workplace. Consequently, the JCAC results are used for the annual effective dose from radon and that for radon inhalation is estimated as 0.50 mSv using a current dose conversion factor. In this paper, UNSCEAR values are used for the mean indoor and outdoor thoron-progeny concentrations, and the annual effective dose from thoron is reported as 0.09 mSv. Thus, the annual effective dose from radon and thoron inhalation is 0.59 mSv. From a JCAC large-scale survey of foodstuffs, the committed effective dose from the main radionuclides in dietary intake is 0.99 mSv. Finally, the Japanese population dose from natural radiation is given as 2.2 mSv, which is similar to the reported global average of 2.4 mSv.

Importance of Discriminative Measurement for Radon Isotopes and Its Utilization in the Environment and Lessons Learned from Using the RADUET Monitor

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.

Impact of Wind Speed on Response of Diffusion-Type Radon-Thoron Detectors to Thoron

Air exchange through a porous medium depends partly on a pressure gradient induced in it, i.e., air-flow conditions of the outer air. Consequently, response of diffusion-type detectors to radon and thoron may vary with air-flow conditions surrounding the detectors. This effect may be significant for thoron measurement because thoron has a shorter half-life than radon. The present study examined response of diffusion-type detectors (RADUETs and one AlphaGUARD) to thoron with respect to wind speed using a thoron calibration chamber. Response of RADUETs to thoron increased with wind speed. Response of the AlphaGUARD increased with wind speed, but it became constant at a high wind speed. Different response trends to thoron between the RADUETs and the AlphaGUARD could be qualitatively explained by flow states induced by the pressure gradient in the filter or the sponge of these detectors. For RADUETs, laminar (Darcy) flow was induced in the sponge in the examined wind speed range, which meant that thoron entry into the detector increased with wind speed. For the AlphaGUARD, laminar flow was induced in the filter in the low wind speed range, whereas flow was changed to turbulent (non-Darcy) flow at a high wind speed for which thoron entry into the detector did not depend on wind speed.

The Importance of Direct Progeny Measurements for Correct Estimation of Effective Dose Due to Radon and Thoron

Radon (Rn), thoron (Tn), and thoron progeny (TnP) were measured in seven inhabited areas of the uranium and thorium bearing region of Lolodorf, located in southwestern Cameroon. Then the equilibrium factor (F_Tn) between thoron and its progeny was determined in order to show the importance of direct progeny measurements for correct estimation of effective dose due to radon, thoron and their progenies. A total of 220 RADUET detectors were used to measure indoor radon and thoron and 130 TnP monitors for thoron progeny indoors. The arithmetic and geometric mean concentrations of Rn, Tn, and TnP were 103 and 89 Bq m⁻³, 173, and 118 Bq m⁻³, 10.7, and 7.4 Bq m⁻³, respectively. Total effective dose determined from radon, thoron, and their progenies was estimated at 4.2 ± 0.5 mSv y⁻¹. Thoron equilibrium factor varied according to seasons, the type of dwelling, building materials and localities. Thoron (Tn and TnP) contribution to effective dose ranged between 3 and 80% with the average value of 53%. Total effective dose estimated from the world average equilibrium factor of 0.02 given by UNSCEAR was 2.7 ± 0.2 mSv y⁻¹. The effective dose due to thoron varied greatly according to the different values taken by F_Tn and was different from that determined directly using TnP concentrations. Thus, effective dose due to thoron determined from the equilibrium factor is unreliable. Therefore, the risk of public exposure due to thoron (Tn and TnP) may therefore be higher than that of radon (Rn and RnP) in many parts of the world if F_Tn is no longer used in estimating total effective dose. This is not in contradiction with the UNSCEAR conclusions. It is therefore important to directly measure the radon and thoron progeny for a correct estimate of effective dose.

EVALUATION OF DOSE IN SLEEP BY MATTRESS CONTAINING MONAZITE

Some companies in Korea have sold beds which contain a processed product containing monazite powder. Consumers may receive external exposure by radiation emitted by progeny radionuclides in uranium and thorium, and internal exposure through the breathing of radon progeny radionuclides produced in the decay chain. Thus, in this study, age specific dose conversion factors (mSv y-1 Bq-1) by external exposure and dose conversion factors by internal exposure (mSv y-1 per Bq m-3) were derived. Besides, a dose assessment program were developed to calculate dose by taking into account real conditions. And the age specific dose was evaluated using the radioactive concentration measured by the NSSC. As a results, external exposure was assessed to get effective doses in the range of 0.00086 to 0.0015 mSv y-1 by external exposure and a committed effective doses in the range of 1.3 to 12.26 mSv y-1 by internal exposure for all age groups.

Experimental facility for the production of reference atmosphere of radioactive gases (Rn, Xe, Kr, and H isotopes)

Radioactive gases are of great interest for environmental measurements and can be distinguished in two categories. The natural radionuclides such as the isotopes of radon (²²²Rn and ²²⁰Rn), and the anthropogenic radionuclides coming from fission products (isotopes of Xe and ⁸⁵Kr) and activation products (³H and ³⁷Ar). Gas monitoring in the environment is an important issue for radioprotection and for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), which both require metrological traceability of these gases. For this purpose, two gas chambers, of 42 L and 125 L, have been conceived and built at the LNE-LNHB to produce reference atmospheres of various gas mixtures. These chambers were created in order to provide any radioactive gas atmosphere with a wide range of activity concentrations (Bq·m^-3 to MBq·m^-3). The goal of this setup is to be representative of the different environmental conditions for detector qualification and to perform studies of radioactive gas absorption in materials of interest. As a result, the 2 chambers used in this experimental facility are designed to work from vacuum pressure to atmospheric pressure, with a constant activity concentration for any radioactive gas, and under dry to high humidity conditions. It can also be used in a static mode, in which the activity concentration will follow the radioactive decay of the gas. In this paper, the characterization of the chambers will be discussed. These two chambers are combined with different primary standards established by the LNE-LNHB. As the production of the reference atmosphere depends on the primary standard method, we present the details for each atmosphere production, which require a well-known volume, pressure or a direct activity concentration measurement.

Simultaneous measurements of indoor radon and thoron and inhalation dose assessment in Douala City, Cameroon

Radon, thoron and associated progeny measurements have been carried out in 71 dwellings of Douala city, Cameroon. The radon-thoron discriminative detectors (RADUET) were used to estimate the radon and thoron concentration, while thoron progeny monitors measured equilibrium equivalent thoron concentration (EETC). Radon, thoron and thoron progeny concentrations vary from 31 ± 1 to 436 ± 12 Bq m^-3, 4 ± 7 to 246 ± 5 Bq m^-3, and 1.5 ± 0.9 to 13.1 ± 9.4 Bq m^-3. The mean value of the equilibrium factor for thoron is estimated at 0.11 ± 0.16. The annual effective dose due to exposure to indoor radon and progeny ranges from 0.6 to 9 mSv a^-1 with an average value of 2.6 ± 0.1 mSv a^-1. The effective dose due to the exposure to thoron and progeny vary from 0.3 to 2.9 mSv a^-1 with an average value of 1.0 ± 0.4 mSv a^-1. The contribution of thoron and its progeny to the total inhalation dose ranges from 7 to 60 % with an average value of 26 %; thus their contributions should not be neglected in the inhalation dose assessment.

ANNUAL EFFECTIVE DOSE ASSESSMENT DUE TO RADON AND THORON PROGENIES IN DWELLINGS OF KILIMAMBOGO, KENYA

Human beings are continuously exposed to ionising radiation originating from natural or artificial sources. Uranium-238 and Thorium-232 found in building materials are important sources of radon and thoron in the indoor environment. The concentration levels of radon, thoron and thoron progeny were measured in mud-walled, metallic or iron sheet-walled and stone-walled modern houses in Kilimambogo region, Kenya for 3 months. Radon and thoron concentration levels were measured using passive radon-thoron discriminative monitors (RADUET), while thoron progeny concentrations as the equilibrium equivalent thoron concentration (EETC) were measured using thoron progeny monitors. The mean radon concentration levels in mud, metallic and stone-walled dwellings were 67 ± 11, 60 ± 10 and 75 ± 10 Bq m-3, respectively. The mean thoron concentration levels in the corresponding dwellings were 195 ± 36, 71 ± 24 and 161 ± 31 Bq m-3, respectively, while EETCs were 12 ± 2, 3 ± 1 and 7 ± 1 Bq m-3, respectively. The annual effective doses for radon were 1.3 ± 0.2, 1.1 ± 0.1 and 1.4 ± 0.2 mSv y-1 in mud, metallic and stone-walled houses while those from thoron estimated from EETC were 2.4 ± 0.4, 0.5 ± 0.1 and 1.5 ± 0.2 mSv y-1 in the corresponding houses, respectively.

Determination of the thoron emanation coefficient using a powder sandwich technique

Thoron (²²⁰ Rn) is a natural radioactive gas, tasteless, odourless, colourless, undetectable without proper equipment. This gas is carcinogenic, just like radon (²²² Rn) but due to the short half-life (55.6s) and a small amount in the environment, its share in the absorbed radiation dose is often neglected. However, in areas rich in thorium (²³²Th), the radiation dose from the thoron can be much larger and quite significant. The problem is to measure the concentration of the thoron due to its short decay time as well as the fact that it is alpha-emitting as radon. An even greater challenge is to determine the emanation coefficient for the thoron. The method used in this experiment was developed by S.D. Kanse based on the work of D.J Greeman and adapted to the equipment used in Laboratory of Radiometric Expertise IFJ PAN. In the technique used to determine the thoron emanation coefficient, a closed loop system is used in which thoron is pushed out by means of a flow system from the sample and measured by a AlphaGuad DF2000 detector that is adapted to determine concentration of this gas. A sample of the material is placed between 2 filters in the geometry of the sandwich. This arrangement ensures that the thickness of the powder sample is significantly less than the length of the thoron diffusion, thus avoiding significant loss of the thoron due to intergranular absorption and facilitates the complete removal of this gas escaping from the powder. Using this technique, it is important to determine the concentration of ²²⁶Ra and the ²³²Th, since for the AlphaGuard detector, the ratio between thoron and radon should not exceed 5:1 for proper determination of the thoron concentration. Measurements of ²²⁶Ra and ²³²Th activity were carried out using gamma spectroscopy (HPGe detector). It was examined how the type of filter and grain size of sample affects the obtained results.

A Review of Indoor and Outdoor Radon Equilibrium Factors-part II: 220Rn

Radon exposure levels are given in terms of radon gas concentration in the air. However, in the calculation of radon dose to the lung, the radon equilibrium equivalent concentration is used. The measured equilibrium factor times the measured radon gas concentration estimates the equilibrium equivalent concentration. Therefore, equilibrium factor is an important factor in radon dose calculations. A review of published measurements of equilibrium factors shows a range of values reported in studies from more than 13 countries and regions measured in indoor residential, indoor public, and outdoor environments. Values for Rn are reported and discussed here as the second of a two-part series, with special attention paid to results from India and China, where measured equilibrium factors are reported for hundreds and thousands of households, respectively. The wide range of measured equilibrium factors suggests that location-specific values measured in the typical breathing zone are more appropriate than a worldwide average value in the calculation of lung bronchial dose.