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Huang WH, Huang CM, Chen TC, Liu YY, Lin CC, Yeh YL. Soil to tobacco component transfer factors for natural radionuclides 40K, 226Ra, and 232Th and the risk assessment of tobacco leaf in smoking. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH. PART A, TOXIC/HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING 2022; 57:737-745. [PMID: 35899392 DOI: 10.1080/10934529.2022.2105630] [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: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This study determined the activity concentrations and corresponding transfer factors (TF) of 40K, 226Ra, and 232Th in three tobacco components (root, stem, and leaf). The radiation hazard index parameters were assessed for the tobacco leaf. The activity concentrations in the soil were 589-762, 32-43, and 49-59 Bq kg-dw-1 (dry weight) for 40K, 226Ra, and 232Th, respectively. The average activity concentrations of 40K, 226Ra, and 232Th were 447, 5.41 and 5.69 Bq/kg-dw for the root, 670, 9.64 and 7.61 Bq kg-dw-1 for the stem, and 793, 6.79 and 6.15 Bq kg-dw-1 for the leaf, respectively. The TF values were 0.42-1.42, 0.10-0.49 and 0.06-0.23 for 40K, 226Ra, and 232Th, respectively. The stem and leaf 40K TF values were significantly higher than the root values. The stem 226Ra TF values were significantly higher than the root values. The 226Ra and 232Th activity concentrations and TFs of tobacco components had a significant positive correlation. Based on the activity concentrations of the tobacco leaves, the annual inhalation effective dose to the lungs for an adult smoker was 0.32-0.81 mSv y-1 (average 0.60 mSv y-1). The Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR) caused by smoking was an average of 2.39 × 10-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Hsiang Huang
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Min Huang
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Chien Chen
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Yu Liu
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Chung Lin
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Lung Yeh
- Department of Civil Engineering, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
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Van Duong H, Thanh Nguyen D, Peka A, Tóth-Bodrogi E, Kovács T. 210PO IN SOIL AND TOBACCO LEAVES IN QUANG XUONG, VIETNAM AND ESTIMATION OF ANNUAL EFFECTIVE DOSE TO SMOKERS. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2020; 192:106-112. [PMID: 33230527 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncaa181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
210Po is the main radiotoxic chemical in tobacco smoke and one of the primary causes of lung cancer. Investigating 210Po concentration in tobacco is important in estimating the annual effective dose (AED) due to smoking. In this study, the 210Po concentrations in tobacco leaves and soil in Quang Xuong, Vietnam were measured using a high-resolution passivated and implanted planar silicon detector. Based on these data the AEDs to smokers were estimated. The 210Po activity concentration in tobacco varied significantly from 28.7 to 254.0 mBq g-1, whereas its variation in soil was insignificant. The AED due to smoking fresh tobacco leaves in Vietnam (average 565 μSv y-1) was significantly higher than the values reported for other countries (36-361 μSv y-1).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Van Duong
- Hanoi University of Mining and Geology, 18 Vien Street, Bac Tu Liem District, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
| | - Duong Thanh Nguyen
- Hanoi University of Mining and Geology, 18 Vien Street, Bac Tu Liem District, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
| | - Anita Peka
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, Veszprem 8200, Hungary
| | - Edit Tóth-Bodrogi
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, Veszprem 8200, Hungary
| | - Tibor Kovács
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, Veszprem 8200, Hungary
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3
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Cankurt S, Görgün AU. Determination and distribution of 210Po in different morphological parts of tobacco plants and radiation dose assessment from cigarettes in Turkey. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2020; 197:110603. [PMID: 32304920 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.110603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Both sides of tobacco leaves accumulate 210Po through their sticky hairs (trichomes) by means of diffusive deposition. It is known that tobacco leaves may contain high amounts of 210Po concentrations. However, there is less information about radionuclides in tobacco plants. In the study, the 210Po concentrations were determined monthly in different morphological parts of tobacco plants (leaf, stem, root) and soil samples and soil-to-plant transfer factor for 210Po was determined and the activity concentrations of 210Po radionuclide in 16 different popular brands of cigarettes were investigated in order to estimate the annual effective doses of 210Po to smokers. Besides the study investigated (focused on) the correlation between the amount of rainfall and 210Po concentration of tobacco leaf. The results of the present study indicated that the activity concentration of 210Po in cigarettes distributed in Turkey ranged from 16.1 ± 1.0 to 37.6 ± 2.6 mBq per cigarette and the mean value of their activity concentrations was 22.4 ± 1.5 mBq per cigarette. The mean value of annual effective doses of 210Po to smokers (20 cigarettes smoked by an individual per day) obtained from these activity concentrations was estimated to be 188.5 ± 12.4 μSv y-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Süleyman Cankurt
- Ege University, Institute of Nuclear Sciences, 35100, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey.
| | - Aysun Uğur Görgün
- Ege University, Institute of Nuclear Sciences, 35100, Bornova, İzmir, Turkey
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Kovács T, Horváth M, Csordás A, Bátor G, Tóth-Bodrogi E. Tobacco plant as possible biomonitoring tool of red mud dust fallout and increased natural radioactivity. Heliyon 2020; 6:e03455. [PMID: 32181383 PMCID: PMC7062938 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to toxic heavy metal content in soil and inherent naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) needs to be monitored, especially after industrial accidents and remediation efforts. Just such an accident happened near Ajka city in Hungary; a large quantity of red mud flooded out from a reservoir. The afflicted area was remediated, and the red mud deposition technology was changed from a wet to a dry procedure. Concerns have been raised about potential hazards from airborne NORM dust in this area. The objectives of this study were to assess the use of explanted tobacco plants as an active biomonitoring system for airborne NORM dust and to reveal weather-related correlations of Po-210 in airborne dust. In 2011, 2012 and 2014, measurements were taken of the following at six monitoring sites in the polluted area and at eight sites in unpolluted areas: soil and tobacco plant Po-210 isotope levels, airborne Rn-222, Ra-226 in soil, Th-232 and K-40 radioactivity concentrations. The transfer factors (TFs) of tobacco were calculated yearly for these isotopes. Association of data with local weather features was determined. In 2012 (the windiest and driest year), the mean Po-210 activity concentrations of tobacco samples in polluted areas were significantly higher than in 2011 and in 2014 (p = 0.044 and p = 0.024, respectively). The mean TF of samples in 2012 was also significantly higher in tobacco plants grown in the polluted area compared to ones grown in unpolluted areas (p = 0.020). These results presumably originate from red mud dust-particle adsorption on tobacco plant leaves. Tobacco plants are promising active bioindicators of airborne particulate pollution by Po-210 or other atmospheric NORM content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tibor Kovács
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 10 Egyetem str., H-8200, Veszprém, Hungary
- Social Organisation for Radioecological Cleanliness, 7/a József Attila str., H-8200, Veszprém, Hungary
- Corresponding author.
| | - Mária Horváth
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 10 Egyetem str., H-8200, Veszprém, Hungary
- Social Organisation for Radioecological Cleanliness, 7/a József Attila str., H-8200, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Anita Csordás
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 10 Egyetem str., H-8200, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Gergő Bátor
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 10 Egyetem str., H-8200, Veszprém, Hungary
- Social Organisation for Radioecological Cleanliness, 7/a József Attila str., H-8200, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Edit Tóth-Bodrogi
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 10 Egyetem str., H-8200, Veszprém, Hungary
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Hegedűs M, Tóth-Bodrogi E, Jónás J, Somlai J, Kovács T. Mobility of 232Th and 210Po in red mud. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2018; 184-185:71-76. [PMID: 29367087 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2018.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Revised: 01/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The valorization of industrial by-products such as red mud became a tempting opportunity, but the understanding of the risks involved is required for the safe utilization of these products. One of the risks involved are the elevated levels of radionuclides (in the 100-1300 Bq/kg range for both the 238U and 232 Th decay chains, but usually lower than 1000 Bq/kg, which is the recommended limit for excemption or clearance according to the EU BSS released in 2013) in red mud that can affect human health. There is no satisfactory answer for the utilization of red mud; the main current solution is still almost exclusively disposal into a landfill. For the safe utilization and deposition of red mud, it is important to be able to assess the leaching behaviour of radionuclides. Because there is no commonly accepted measurement protocol for testing the leaching of radionuclides in the EU a combined measurement protocol was made and tested based on heavy metal leaching methods. The leaching features of red mud were studied by methods compliant with the MSZ-21470-50 Hungarian standard, the CEN/TS 14429 standard and the Tessier sequential extraction method for 232Th and 210Po. The leached solutions were taken to radiochemical separation followed by spontaneous deposition for Po and electrodeposition for Th. The 332 ± 33 Bq/kg 232Th content was minimally mobile, 1% became available for distilled water 1% and 6% for Lakanen-Erviö solution; the Tessier extraction showed minimal mobility in the first four steps, while more than 85% remained in the residue. The 210Po measurements had a severe disturbing effect in many cases, probably due to large amounts of iron present in the red mud, from the 310 ± 12 Bq/kg by aqua regia digestion, distilled water mobilized 23%, while Lakanen-Erviö solution mobilized ∼13%. The proposed protocol is suitable for the analysis of Th and Po leaching behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miklós Hegedűs
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 10 Egyetem Str., H-8200, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Edit Tóth-Bodrogi
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 10 Egyetem Str., H-8200, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Jácint Jónás
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 10 Egyetem Str., H-8200, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - János Somlai
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 10 Egyetem Str., H-8200, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Tibor Kovács
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 10 Egyetem Str., H-8200, Veszprém, Hungary.
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Jónás J, Somlai J, Tóth-Bodrogi E, Hegedűs M, Kovács T. Study of a remediated coal ash depository from a radiological perspective. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2017; 173:75-84. [PMID: 28041855 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2016] [Revised: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Coal-fired power plants play a significant role in the production of electricity. The Ra-226 concentration of coals mined in the Ajka region can reach up to 3000 Bq/kg. This study focuses on the effects of a Hungarian (Ajka) remediated coal ash depository on the environment and the effectiveness of the cover layer. During the remediation, a method patented in Hungary was used, in which the upper layer of the depository, which had settled like concrete, was ploughed and mixed with woodchips before being planted with vegetation. The gamma dose rate H*(10) of the depository and its vicinity was measured using Automess 6150AD-b at 32 points, surface Rn-222 exhalation at 19 points and air radon concentration at 34 points; at 32 points, soil gas radon content was measured with AlphaGUARD and soil permeability with RADON-JOK. The nuclide content of nine samples was determined using an HPGe gamma spectrometer and their Rn-222 exhalation rates were measured using the AlphaGUARD. H*(10) was 290 (130-525) nSv/h at the covered depository; CRa-226 was 1997 Bq/kg, 960 Bq/kg and 104 Bq/kg for the ash, cover layer and background soil respectively. CRn-222 in the soil was 25-161 kBq/m3, and soil gas permeability K was between 6.4E-13 and 1.80E-11 m2. The radon exhalation of the uncovered and covered depository was 259-1100 mBq/m2s. The exhalation and emanation coefficients of the samples were 0.05-0.32 mBq/kgs and 8-22%. The effects of vegetation on the migration of radon were also examined. The results show that the Ajka coal ash depository involves higher radiological risk than that reported by previously published studies on depositories. The applied cover layer halved the field radon exhalation; in addition, the vegetation reduced the convective airflow and, with this, the migration of Rn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jácint Jónás
- University of Pannonia, Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, Veszprém, Hungary; Social Organization for Radioecological Cleanliness, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - János Somlai
- University of Pannonia, Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Edit Tóth-Bodrogi
- University of Pannonia, Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Miklós Hegedűs
- University of Pannonia, Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Tibor Kovács
- University of Pannonia, Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, Veszprém, Hungary; Social Organization for Radioecological Cleanliness, Veszprém, Hungary.
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Matsuya Y, Tsujiguchi T, Yamaguchi M, Kimura T, Mori R, Yamada R, Saga R, Fujishima Y, Date H. Educational Activity for the Radiation Emergency System in the Northern Part of Japan: Meeting Report on "The 3rd Educational Symposium on Radiation and Health (ESRAH) by Young Scientists in 2016". Radiat Res 2017; 187:641-646. [PMID: 28418815 DOI: 10.1667/rr14756.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
In the northern part of Japan, close cooperation is essential in preparing for any possible emergency response to radiation accidents because several facilities, such as the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Facility, the MOX Fuel Fabrication Plant and the Vitrified Waste Storage Center, exist in Rokkasho Village (Aomori Prefecture). After the accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in 2011, special attention should be given to the relationship between radiation and human health, as well as establishing a system for managing with a radiation emergency. In the area of Hokkaido and Aomori prefectures in Japan, since 2008 an exchange meeting between Hokkaido University and Hirosaki University has been held every year to have opportunities to discuss radiation effects on human health and to collect the latest news on monitoring environmental radiation. This meeting was elevated to an international meeting in 2014 titled "Educational Symposium on Radiation and Health (ESRAH) by Young Scientists". The 3rd ESRAH meeting took place in 2016, with the theme "Investigating Radiation Impact on the Environmental and Health". Here we report the meeting findings on the continuing educational efforts after the Fukushima incident, what was accomplished in terms of building a community educational approaches, and future goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Matsuya
- a Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita-12, Nishi-5, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
| | - Takakiyo Tsujiguchi
- b Department of Radiological Life Sciences, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki 036-8564, Japan
| | - Masaru Yamaguchi
- b Department of Radiological Life Sciences, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki 036-8564, Japan
| | - Takaaki Kimura
- a Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita-12, Nishi-5, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Mori
- a Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita-12, Nishi-5, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
| | - Ryota Yamada
- a Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita-12, Nishi-5, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
| | - Ryo Saga
- c Graduate School of Health Sciences, Department of Radiation Science, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki 036-8564, Japan
| | - Yohei Fujishima
- d Biomedical Sciences, Division of Medical Life Sciences, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki 036-8564, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Date
- e Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita-12, Nishi-5, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
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Vaasma T, Bityukova L, Kiisk M, Özden B, Tkaczyk AH. Behaviour mechanisms and correlation between lead (Pb) and its isotope (210)Pb in industrial residue as an indicator for waste characterization. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY 2016; 37:3208-3218. [PMID: 27144415 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2016.1181673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Total lead and (210)Pb concentrations were determined in various ash fractions (collected from two of the world's largest oil shale-fired power plants) by inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometry (ICP-MS) and gamma spectrometry. Results show a clear increase in total lead (values up to 193 ppm in filter ashes) and (210)Pb (values up to 148 Bq kg(-1) in filter ashes) concentrations in the ash fractions from the furnace towards the filter ashes. A strong positive linear correlation (Pearson's bivariate correlation remained between 0.86 and 0.99) was determined between total lead concentration (ppm) and (210)Pb activity concentration (Bq kg(-1)) within all the boilers under observation. The constant concentration ratio between total lead and (210)Pb remained around one (with minor exceptions), independent of the sampling location and the used combustion technology. The determined concentration ratio can be applicable as an indicative tool in waste material characterization. It also provides multiple additions to the general material characterization approach, by integrating radiological and elemental studies and providing an option to rapidly obtain initial indicative information about the residues. This in turn helps to generate the initial information to work out the next steps in waste material management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taavi Vaasma
- a Institute of Physics, University of Tartu , Tartu , Estonia
| | - Liidia Bityukova
- b Institute of Geology, Tallinn University of Technology , Tallinn , Estonia
| | - Madis Kiisk
- a Institute of Physics, University of Tartu , Tartu , Estonia
| | - Banu Özden
- c Institute of Nuclear Sciences, Ege University , İzmir , Turkey
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