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Shahrokhi A, kovács T. Characterization of environmental radiological parameters on dose coefficient - Realistic dosimetry compared with epidemiological dosimetry models. Heliyon 2023; 9:e19813. [PMID: 37809865 PMCID: PMC10559164 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Radiation exposure due to all-natural sources amounts to about 2.4 mSv per year. However, this amount might be changed to over 3 mSv y-1 according to the recently introduced ICRP radon dose coefficient factor. Previously, the radon contribution to the total dose from natural sources was about 1.2 mSv y-1. However, after the latest introduced dose conversion factor by ICRP, this value could technically be increased to around 2 mSv y-1. This paper attempts to address the following questions: (i) whether reducing radon concentration to the recommended level could address concerns about radiation exposure in underground workplaces, and (ii) the effects of the difference between the epidemiological dosimetry models and realistic dose estimation. The actual dose conversion factor (DCF) was calculated using measured annual average unattached and equilibrium factors, ranging from 16 ± 9 to 25 ± 10 mSv·WLM-1. Then, the estimated inhalation dose, both from self-calculated DCF and the value reported by ICRP-137, was compared: 5.6 ± 0.7-7.6 ± 0.9 mSv y-1 and 3.3 ± 0.4-3.6 ± 0.5 mSv y-1, respectively. It can be observed that exposure to a radon concentration lower than the recommended level does not guarantee a lower dose than the recommended value. The estimated dose was at least two times greater than the dose using pre-estimated values from epidemiological dosimetry models, specifically in this case study. Further experiments in different underground working environments, excluding caves, are needed for more precise observations. It might also be time to update the data regarding the dose contribution from natural radiation sources, as the radon contribution increased according to ICRP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amin Shahrokhi
- Department of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, Research Centre for Biochemical, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, University of Pannonia, 8200, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Tibor kovács
- Department of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, Research Centre for Biochemical, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, University of Pannonia, 8200, Veszprém, Hungary
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2
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Adelikhah M, Imani M, Kovács T. Development of a thoron calibration chamber based on computational fluid dynamics simulation and validation with measurements. Sci Rep 2023; 13:13611. [PMID: 37604958 PMCID: PMC10442380 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40776-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, interest in measuring the concentration of 220Rn in air has increased greatly following the development of standards and the calibration of monitoring instruments. In this study, a 220Rn calibration chamber was designed and developed at the Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology (RRI) based on the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method implemented in ANSYS Fluent 2020 R1 code at the University of Pannonia in Hungary. The behavior of 220Rn and its spatial distribution inside the 220Rn calibration chamber at RRI were investigated at different flow rates. The 220Rn concentration was close to homogeneous under higher flow regimes due to thorough mixing of the gas inside the chamber. Predictions based on CFD simulations were compared with experimentally measured transmission factors (Cout/Cin). The spatial distribution of 220Rn was dependent on the flow rate and the positions of the inlet and outlet. Our results clearly demonstrate the suitability of the 220Rn calibration chamber at RRI for calibrating monitoring instruments. Furthermore, the CFD-based predictions were in good agreement with the results obtained at higher flow rates using experimental and analytical models according to the relative deviation, with a maximum of approximately 9%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammademad Adelikhah
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology; Research Centre for Biochemical, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, 8200, Hungary
| | - Morteza Imani
- Engineering Department, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tibor Kovács
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology; Research Centre for Biochemical, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, 8200, Hungary.
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3
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Akuo-ko EO, Adelikhah M, Amponsem E, Csordás A, Kovács T. Radiological assessment in beach sediment of coastline, Ghana. Heliyon 2023; 9:e16690. [PMID: 37260905 PMCID: PMC10227337 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The natural and artificial radioactivity in beach sediment sampled from the coastline of Ghana were analyzed using High Purity Germanium gamma ray detector. The overall average activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs were estimated to be 43 ± 6, 22 ± 1, 393 ± 74 and 8.4 ± 0.5 Bqkg-1, respectively. Apart from 226Ra the mean activity concentrations of the measured radionuclides were below the world averages of 32, 45, 412 and 18.2 Bqkg-1 respectively. High 137Cs mean concentration of 109.8 Bqkg-1 was observed for one of the locations, which might be due to the occurrence of a nuclear incidence or other factors. The evaluated radiological parameters also had values below world averages, except for some coastal areas which recorded Annual Gonadal Dose Equivalent (AGDE) values higher than the reference level of 300 μSvy-1. There was no significant risk associated with the radionuclide activities evaluated along the coast of Ghana. The correlation between the radionuclides and the radiological parameters were analyzed with the Pearson correlation matrix, cluster and PCA analysis, and they all showed similar outcomes. Spatial distribution maps were also created using ArcGIS software for a pictorial view of the distribution of radionuclides along the study area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Osei Akuo-ko
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, Research Centre for Biochemical, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, University of Pannonia, 8200 Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Mohammademad Adelikhah
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, Research Centre for Biochemical, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, University of Pannonia, 8200 Veszprém, Hungary
| | | | - Anita Csordás
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, Research Centre for Biochemical, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, University of Pannonia, 8200 Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Tibor Kovács
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, Research Centre for Biochemical, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, University of Pannonia, 8200 Veszprém, Hungary
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Adelikhah M, Imani M, Kovács T. Measurements and computational fluid dynamics investigation of the indoor radon distribution in a typical naturally ventilated room. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2064. [PMID: 36739299 PMCID: PMC9899222 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23642-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Based on the European Union Basic Safety Standards to protect people against exposure to ionizing radiation, establishing and addressing the reference levels for indoor radon concentrations is necessary. Therefore, the indoor radon concentration should be monitored and control in dwelling and workplaces. However, proper ventilation and sustainability are the major factors that influence how healthy the environment in a building is for its occupants. In this paper, the indoor radon distribution in a typical naturally ventilated room under two scenarios (when the door is closed and open) using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technique was studied. The CFD code ANSYS Fluent 2020 R1 based on the finite volume method was employed before the simulation results were compared with analytical calculations as well as passive and active measurements. The average radon concentration from the CFD simulation was found to be between 70.21 and 66.25 Bq m-3 under closed and open-door conditions, respectively, at the desired ventilation rate of 1 ACH (Air Changes per Hour). Moreover, the highest concentrations of radon were measured close to the floor and the lowest values were recorded near to the inlet, resulting in the airflow velocity profile. The simulation results were in good agreement with the maxima of 19% and 7% compared to analytical calculations at different indoor air velocities in the open- and closed-door scenarios, respectively. The measured radon concentrations obtained by the active measurements also fitted well with the CFD results, for example, with a relative standard deviation of around 7% and 2% when measured by AlphaGUARD and RAD7 monitors at a height of 1.0 m above the ground in the open-door scenario. From the simulation results, the effective dose received by an individual from the indoor air of the workplace was also calculated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammademad Adelikhah
- grid.7336.10000 0001 0203 5854Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, 8200 Hungary
| | - Morteza Imani
- grid.412502.00000 0001 0686 4748Engineering Department, G.C, Shahid Beheshti University, P.O. Box: 1983963113, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tibor Kovács
- grid.7336.10000 0001 0203 5854Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, 8200 Hungary
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5
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Zemour Y, Mebrouk N, Mayer A, Mekebret I, Sherif MI. Hydrochemical and geological controls on dissolved radium and radon in northwestern Algeria hydrothermal groundwaters. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 313:137573. [PMID: 36535504 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.137573] [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: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
This study presents the results of the first investigation on natural occurrence of radium and radon in Algerian thermal water systems. Activity concentrations of Rn and Ra isotopes were measured in sixteen hydrothermal springs of northwestern Algeria. Samples displayed high activities, especially for 222Rn, 224Ra and 226Ra (up to 377 × 103 Bq/m3, 730 Bq/m3 and 4470 Bq/m3, respectively). Approximately, 50% of the investigated springs displayed activities of combined long-lived Ra (226Ra + 228Ra) in excess of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of the WHO and EPA for drinking water. Factors controlling the distribution of radionuclides in the aquifer system are investigated. The observed correlation between Ra isotope and TDS suggests that adsorption/desorption is not the dominant process controlling the distribution of Ra in waters. Our results indicate that the excess SO42- limits the concentration of dissolved Ba2+ and thereby, the elevated Ra activities in these hydrothermal systems are not simply limited by co-precipitation with BaSO4 (barite). The data shows that Ra activities are likely dominated by the recoil process of parent isotopes in the aquifer solids. The minimal abundance of clay minerals and oxides in the aquifer, in addition to thermal activities in northwestern Algeria, significantly enhances the mobilization of Ra into waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youcef Zemour
- University of Oran 2 Mohamed Ben Ahmed, GEOREN Laboratory, Géoressources, Environnement & Risques Naturels, B.P. 1015 El M'naouer, 31000, Oran, Algeria.
| | - Naïma Mebrouk
- University of Oran 2 Mohamed Ben Ahmed, GEOREN Laboratory, Géoressources, Environnement & Risques Naturels, B.P. 1015 El M'naouer, 31000, Oran, Algeria
| | - Adriano Mayer
- Avignon University, UMR 1114 EMMAH, UAPV, 301 Rue Baruch de Spinoza, BP 21239, F-84916, Avignon, France
| | - Imane Mekebret
- University of Oran 2 Mohamed Ben Ahmed, GEOREN Laboratory, Géoressources, Environnement & Risques Naturels, B.P. 1015 El M'naouer, 31000, Oran, Algeria; Paris-Saclay University, Geosciences Laboratory (GEOPS) - CNRS. Rue du Belvédère, Bât. 504, 91405, Orsay, France
| | - Mahmoud I Sherif
- Department of the Geophysical Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA; Department of Geology, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt
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6
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Oni OM, Aremu AA, Oladapo OO, Agboluaje BA, Fajemiroye JA. Artificial neural network modeling of meteorological and geological influences on indoor radon concentration in selected tertiary institutions in Southwestern Nigeria. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2022; 251-252:106933. [PMID: 35760035 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2022.106933] [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: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to indoor radon, with no safe level, has been reported to bear the possible radiological risk to humans. The indoor radon level of a total of one hundred and thirty-two offices and sixty classrooms of tertiary institutions within different lithology and at varied meteorological values in southwestern Nigeria was measured using Electret Passive Environmental Radon Monitor (E-PERM). The meteorological parameters were obtained from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) database. MATLAB scripts of code were used to develop the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model. The measured parameters were subjected to both descriptive and inferential statistics. The highest mean radon concentration was observed in offices built on granitic bedrock with a value of 64.3 ± 1.7 Bq.m-3 while the lowest was observed in alluvium bedrock with a value of 52.5 ± 1.4 Bq.m-3. To enhance prediction involving erratic parametric patterns, the measured data were subjected to an optimized Artificial Neural Network architecture training, validation, and testing, leading to a model determined to have a Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency coefficient value of 0.997, Average Absolute Relative Error of 0.0115, and Mean Squared Error of 0.07. The predicted result was compared favorably with the measured data with 0.054 Average Validation Error, 0.027 Mean Absolute Error 3.64 Mean Absolute Percentage Error, and 83.7% Goodness-of-Prediction values. About 21.4% of the values were found to be higher than the 100 Bq.m-3 limits specified by the World Health Organization. Measured radon concentration and predicted ANN data as obtained in this work, being novel in this study area is useful for immediate assessment of the level of risk associated with radon exposure as well as for future predictions. The ANN developed is effective and efficient in predicting indoor radon concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olatunde Michael Oni
- Department of Pure and Applied Physics, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria
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7
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La Verde G, D'Avino V, Sabbarese C, Roca V, Pugliese M. Radon surveys and effectiveness of remedial actions in spas on the Ischia island (Italy). Appl Radiat Isot 2022; 185:110221. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2022.110221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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8
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Adelikhah M, Imani M, Hegedűs M, Kovács T. Modelling of indoor external and internal exposure due to different building materials containing NORMs in the vicinity of a HNBRA in Mahallat, Iran. Heliyon 2022; 8:e08909. [PMID: 35198774 PMCID: PMC8842013 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e08909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, by considering the Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORMs) contained in the building materials used in Mahallat, Iran - an area exposed to a high level of natural background radiation - residential scenarios were simulated by applying the computer code RESRAD-BUILD to estimate the long-term Effective Dose rate of three different cases of basic building materials utilized in walls, floors and ceilings. Maximum effective dose rates of between 504 and 1433 μSv yr-1 were calculated in the second case study, tiled cement floor. The highest external and radon doses were also calculated to be 369 and 1064 μSv, respectively. The simulation results revealed that 232Th and 40K contribute the most and least to the indoor dose, respectively. As a result of a sensitivity analysis, it was found that the air exchange rate is a key variable to easily reduce the radiological impacts of building materials. It was also shown that due to the presence of 226Ra, the sensitivity of effective dose to changes in wall thickness was higher than other radionuclides found in the building materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammademad Adelikhah
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, Research Centre for Biochemical, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, University of Pannonia, 8200 Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Morteza Imani
- Engineering Department, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Miklós Hegedűs
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, Research Centre for Biochemical, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, University of Pannonia, 8200 Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Tibor Kovács
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, Research Centre for Biochemical, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, University of Pannonia, 8200 Veszprém, Hungary
- Corresponding author.
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9
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Suresh S, Rangaswamy DR, Sannappa J, Dongre S, Srinivasa E, Rajesh S. Estimation of natural radioactivity and assessment of radiation hazard indices in soil samples of Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka, India. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-021-08145-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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10
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Mehra R, Kaur S, Chand S, Charan C, Mehta M. Dosimetric assessment of primordial radionuclides in soil and groundwater of Sikar district, Rajasthan. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-021-07998-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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11
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Quantification of doses and health risks to organs and tissues corresponding to different age groups due to radon in water. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-021-08050-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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12
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Assessment of excess lifetime cancer risk and risk of lung cancer due to exposure to radon in a middle eastern city in Iran. RADIATION MEDICINE AND PROTECTION 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radmp.2021.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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13
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Imani M, Adelikhah M, Shahrokhi A, Azimpour G, Yadollahi A, Kocsis E, Toth-Bodrogi E, Kovács T. Natural radioactivity and radiological risks of common building materials used in Semnan Province dwellings, Iran. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:41492-41503. [PMID: 33786760 PMCID: PMC8352829 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-13469-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Impact assessment of building materials is a focused topic in the field of radioecology. A radiological survey has conducted to monitor radioactivity of most common building materials in Semnan Province, Iran, and assess the radiation risk. Activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K were measured in 29 samples including nine commonly used building materials that were collected from local suppliers and manufacturers, using a high purity germanium gamma-ray detector. The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K varied from 6.7±1 to 43.6±9, 5.9±1 to 60±11, and 28.5±3 to 1085±113 Bq kg-1 with averages of 26.8±5, 22.7±4, and 322.4±4 Bq kg-1, respectively. By applying multivariate statistical approach (Pearson correlation, cluster, and principal component analyses (PCA)), the radiological health hazard parameters were analyzed to obtain similarities and correlations between the various samples. The Pearson correlation showed that the 226Ra distribution in the samples is controlled by changing the 232Th concentration. The variance of 95.58% obtained from PCA resulted that the main radiological health hazard parameters exist due to the concentration of 226Ra and 232Th. The resulting dendrogram of cluster analysis also shows a well coincidence with the correlation analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morteza Imani
- Engineering Department, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammademad Adelikhah
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, H-8200, Hungary
| | - Amin Shahrokhi
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, H-8200, Hungary
| | - Ghazaleh Azimpour
- Department of Natural Geography, Faculty of Geography, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Yadollahi
- Engineering Department, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Erika Kocsis
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, H-8200, Hungary
| | - Edit Toth-Bodrogi
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, H-8200, Hungary
| | - Tibor Kovács
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, H-8200, Hungary.
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Kocsis E, Tóth-Bodrogi E, Peka A, Adelikhah M, Kovács T. Radiological impact assessment of different building material additives. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-021-07897-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
AbstractIn this study, samples of building material additives were analyzed for naturally occurring radioisotope activity such as uranium, radium, and radon. The radon exhalation and the annual effective doses, were also calculated. The activities of the samples, were determined using HPGe gamma spectrometry and ionization detector. The results were used to calculate dose values by using RESRAD BUILD code. The activity concentration of the samples ranges between 9–494 Bq/kg Ra-226, 1–119 Bq/kg Th-232 and 24–730 Bq/kg K-40. In conclusion the investigated samples can be used safely as building material additives as they do not pose a major risk to humans.
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Shahrokhi A, Adelikhah M, Imani M, Kovács T. A brief radiological survey and associated occupational exposure to radiation in an open pit slate mine in Kashan, Iran. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-021-07778-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
AbstractA comprehensive radiological survey was carried out in an open-cut slate stone quarry. The activity of 226Ra, 228Ra and 40 K in the ore samples were measured as 38 ± 5, 41 ± 6 and 869 ± 52 Bq kg1, respectively. Outdoor radon and indoor radon concentrations were measured from 37 ± 7 to 193 ± 11 Bq m−3 (77 ± 8 Bq m−3), and 49 ± 6 to 253 ± 23 Bq m−3 (131 ± 13 Bq m−3), respectively. The average indoor and outdoor gamma dose were measured as 116 and 84 nSv h− 1, respectively. The annual effective doses were estimated between 1.0 ± 0.1 and 3.3 ± 0.3 mSv year−1. The annual lung cancer risks were calculated in the range of 3.3 × 10−2 to 13.12 × 10−2 % (7.72 × 10−2%).
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Shahrokhi A, Adelikhah M, Chalupnik S, Kovács T. Multivariate statistical approach on distribution of natural and anthropogenic radionuclides and associated radiation indices along the north-western coastline of Aegean Sea, Greece. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 163:112009. [PMID: 33477060 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Revised: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A comprehensive radiological survey using multivariate statistical analysis was carried out to evaluate the distribution of 40K, 232Th, 226Ra, 235U, and 137Cs, and associated radiation indices in beach sand samples of the coastal area of the Aegean Sea. The activity concentration of selected radionuclides was measured and no clue of recent migration of radiocaesium by not only precipitation but also through an indirect way, such as ocean runoff, was found. As part of radiological risk assessment, external radiation hazard index, radium equivalent activity, effective dose, and absorbed dose rate were estimated. Pearson correlation, cluster, and PCA analysis were used by processing observed radiological parameters to determine the correlation between the radiological parameters and locations. Pearson correlation shows a strong association between all parameters and activity of 226Ra and 232Th. A spatial distribution map was provided to a distinct visual representation of the distribution of radionuclide contents in the study area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amin Shahrokhi
- Department of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, Hungary.
| | - Mohammademad Adelikhah
- Department of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Stanislaw Chalupnik
- Silesian Centre for Environmental radioactivity, Central Mining Institute, Katowice, Poland
| | - Tibor Kovács
- Department of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, Hungary
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Radiological Assessment of Indoor Radon and Thoron Concentrations and Indoor Radon Map of Dwellings in Mashhad, Iran. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 18:ijerph18010141. [PMID: 33379145 PMCID: PMC7794745 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18010141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A comprehensive study was carried out to measure indoor radon/thoron concentrations in 78 dwellings and soil-gas radon in the city of Mashhad, Iran during two seasons, using two common radon monitoring devices (NRPB and RADUET). In the winter, indoor radon concentrations measured between 75 ± 11 to 376 ± 24 Bq·m−3 (mean: 150 ± 19 Bq m−3), whereas indoor thoron concentrations ranged from below the Lower Limit of Detection (LLD) to 166 ± 10 Bq·m−3 (mean: 66 ± 8 Bq m−3), while radon and thoron concentrations in summer fell between 50 ± 11 and 305 ± 24 Bq·m−3 (mean 115 ± 18 Bq m−3) and from below the LLD to 122 ± 10 Bq m−3 (mean 48 ± 6 Bq·m−3), respectively. The annual average effective dose was estimated to be 3.7 ± 0.5 mSv yr−1. The soil-gas radon concentrations fell within the range from 1.07 ± 0.28 to 8.02 ± 0.65 kBq·m−3 (mean 3.07 ± 1.09 kBq·m−3). Finally, indoor radon maps were generated by ArcGIS software over a grid of 1 × 1 km2 using three different interpolation techniques. In grid cells where no data was observed, the arithmetic mean was used to predict a mean indoor radon concentration. Accordingly, inverse distance weighting (IDW) was proven to be more suitable for predicting mean indoor radon concentrations due to the lower mean absolute error (MAE) and root mean square error (RMSE). Meanwhile, the radiation health risk due to the residential exposure to radon and indoor gamma radiation exposure was also assessed.
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Characteristics of Thoron ( 220Rn) and Its Progeny in the Indoor Environment. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17238769. [PMID: 33255858 PMCID: PMC7728306 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17238769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
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.
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