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At least 1,153 records · Page 64Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

[Human physiological blood protection systems in the late periods after ionizing radiation exposure related to the accident at the Chernobyl Atomic Electric Power Station].

During a 5-year follow-up of rescue party members exposed to radioactive effects of the Chernobyl accident no material changes were observed versus healthy donors in the content of calcium, cholesterol, atherogenic lipoproteins, dienic conjugates, insulin, thyroxin, triiodothyronine, thyroglobulin, IgA, IgG and fibrinogen. Inhibition of peroxidation and emergence of hypocoagulation are attributed to a reduced respiratory splash of the neutrophils. Concentrations of hydrocortisone, testosterone, IgM rose, while the activity of some antioxidant enzymes remained stable.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed2001

Transfer of radioactivity to fruit: significant radionuclides and speciation.

One of the roles of the BIOMASS Theme 3 Fruit Working Group was to identify significant radionuclides to support its work programme. This paper provides a short review of radionuclide emissions to atmosphere together with comments on their relative dosimetric impacts to identify those radionuclides most relevant to the Fruit Working Group. Speciation of the identified radionuclides is also discussed to identify the most likely chemical forms to which fruits might be exposed. It is noted that no information currently exists on radionuclide speciation in regard to the uptake and retention of radionuclides in fruit crops.

Air Pollutants, Radioactive↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Environmental lead-210 and bismuth-210 accrue selectively in the brain proteins in Alzheimer disease and brain lipids in Parkinson disease.

We studied the occurrence of the environmental radon daughters, 210Po (alpha particles), and 210Bi (beta particles), in the protein and lipid fractions of cortical gray and subcortical white matter from the frontal and temporal lobes of human brains of persons with Alzheimer disease (AD), persons with Parkinson disease (PD), smokers, or persons with no previous evidence of clinical neurologic disease (controls). We found a 10-fold increase in 210Po and 210Pb radioactivity in the protein fraction from both the cortical gray and subcortical white matter in AD and smokers, and a similar increase in the lipid fraction in PD. The pathognomonic distribution of the radon daughters to the lipids in PD and to the proteins in AD was inferred to reflect the increase of local chlorine availability to which radon daughters bound selectively. Cigarette smoking strongly increases radon daughter retention in the central nervous system.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Testing the conservativeness of a screening model in a model validation exercise.

Although models for calculating derived emission limits have been around for many years, the opportunity to test them against independent data sets did not arise until the Biospheric Model Validation Study (BIOMOVS) was organized in 1985. Within BIOMOVS, two scenarios tested predictions of the movement of 131I and 137Cs from air to soil, pasture, milk, and beef. One of these scenarios was a model intercomparison of a chronic release over 30 y. The second scenario, using data gathered world-wide after the Chernobyl accident, allowed predictions to be compared directly with observations. The Canadian Standards Association's Guidelines for Calculating Derived Release Limits for Radioactive Material in Airborne and Liquid Effluents for Normal Operation of Nuclear Facilities was tested in both these scenarios to see whether its predictions were suitably conservative, as they should be for a screening model. A comparison was made between results of the Canadian Standards Association's model and those of other screening models on the one hand and results of models attempting to predict best estimates on the other hand. This analysis shows that often screening models are not conservative, and thus there should be much more effort to test the models against observations.

Air Pollutants, Radioactive↗
PubMed1992

Childhood leukemia around nuclear facilities.

Epidemiologic studies on the health effects of living near nuclear facilities have been rare and, indeed, radiobiological models would not predict any detectable increase in cancer risk to the general public from the very low levels of radioactivity emitted by nuclear installations. Thus the recent evidence suggesting an excess of childhood leukemias in the vicinity of certain nuclear sites in the United Kingdom has generated considerable controversy. To help resolve the uncertainty and enhance interpretability of results, future epidemiologic studies will need to be designed with great care (and within realistic cost limits). This commentary suggests three areas for methodologic consideration: (i) definition and modelling of radiation exposure; (ii) selection of cancer sites and sensitive subgroups; and (iii) use of incidence or mortality data. Specific suggestions for further epidemiologic research are offered as well.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The medical problems of the aftermath of the accident at the Chernobyl Atomic Electric Power Station].

The article is devoted to medical problems of Chernobyl accident, specifically to the question of thyroid carcinoma in children who received increased doses of radioactive iodine (mainly of 131I) in the first days of the disaster. Some relevant reports made at the 3rd Congress of the World Federation of Ukrainian Medical Societies are analyzed. The necessity of ultrasonic examination of the thyroid in children is pointed out. Special portable American-made apparatus is recommended for this purpose. Likelihood of leukaemia, lung cancer, gastrointestinal malign tumors as well as genetic disorders in descendants of irradiated people should also be remembered. Question of "clean" products and evacuation of the population residing in the 30-km zone must be solved.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Histological analysis of the testis of Apodemus sylvaticus and Clethrionomys rutilus living in radioactively contaminated areas].

We made a histological analysis of testis in Apodemus sylvaticus and Clethrionomys rutilus inhabiting a contaminated area of the East Ural Radioactive Trace (EURT). It showed that in the control these species different in the total number of cells of spermatogenic epithelium and in testis indices which were determined by interspecific differences. Concentration of 137Cs and 90Sr in Clethrionomys rutilus from the sampling plot was correspondingly 1.5 and 6.1 times higher than in the control, in Apodemus sylvaticus--1.9 and 3.6 times, correspondingly. Clethrionomys rutilus from the contaminated area had altered kinetics of spermatogenesis--an increased proliferation activity of spermatogenic epithelium. Maximum degeneration of cells was observed at the stage of spermatocytes. Such changes were not observed in Apodemus sylvaticus.

Air Pollution, Radioactive↗
PubMed1987

Radioactive contamination in Nijmegen rainwater after the Chernobyl accident.

Following the Chernobyl accident, rainwater was collected in the Nijmegen area during the first three weeks of May 1986. The radionuclides found in the water were 131I, 132Te, 132I, 140La, 134Cs, 137Cs and 103Ru. On the first rainy day, an activity concentration of 9 kBq l-1 was measured, with specific activities of 2.7 kBq l-1 for 131I and 2.3 kBq l-1 for each of 132Te and 132I. The total activity precipitated per square kilometer in this period was approximately 55 GBq. Fresh spinach picked in Nijmegen on 7 May had an activity of 1.5 kBq kg-1.

Accidents↗
PubMed2005

Comparative study of Dutch and German emergency-management models for near border nuclear accidents.

Four institutes, all of which are involved in nuclear-emergency management in the Dutch-German border region, have compared their short-range dispersion and radiological dose models using scenarios consisting of single-station meteorology and two dispersed radionuclides. After adjustment of some of the parameters, the consequence of the differences in parameters on the effective dose was quantified at several stages from source to exposure. Results for the neutral stability class agreed within a factor of four. Variations in wet deposition of radioactive material, giving rise to external radiation from the ground, can cause significant variations to the effective dose. Furthermore, the way the different emergency-management tools model the atmospheric dispersion for a stable stability class in the horizontal plane can generate large differences. Finally, the methodology of calculating cloudshine is not comparable among the models, which causes the effective dose near the source to show large deviations for high emission sources.

Accidents↗
PubMed1993

Chronic stress from the Goiania 137Cs radiation accident.

At the invitation of the Brazilian government, the authors conducted a multidisciplinary field study in Goiania, Brazil, 3 1/2 years after an accident involving 137Cs, a radioactive cesium isotope. They compared subjects exposed to low levels of ionizing radiation, subjects who experienced anticipatory stress from fear of radiation exposure, and a nonirradiated control group. Results indicated the presence of chronic stress, as measured by psychological, behavioral, and neuroendocrine indices, in subjects who were exposed as well as in subjects fearful of potential radiation exposure. Anticipatory stress associated with potential exposure to ionizing radiation resulted in a level of stress similar to that from actual exposure to ionizing radiation. These findings have implications for past and future radiation accidents.

Accidents↗
PubMed1990

Electrical charge characteristics of long-lived radioactive dust.

Respirable long-lived radioactive dust (LLRD), i.e., dust containing long-lived radionuclides such as 238U, 232Th, 226Ra, 224Ra and 228Th, interacts with unipolar and bipolar atmospheres through diffusion charging, electrical charge neutralization, and electrical self-charging mechanisms. Because of these interactions, and depending on the type of dust as well as its method of production, LLRD is found in electrically charged and neutral states. Electrical charge is important because it influences the deposition of particles in the human respiratory system. Particle size, electrical charge, and radioactive particle size distributions were measured in an area of an underground U mine where U ore crushing and transportation operations were conducted. In addition, concurrent measurements of 222Rn progeny and 220Rn progeny were made. A variety of instrumentation was used, such as particle counters. The electrical charge associated with dust generated in the primary crushing operation was substantially higher (3e- at 1 microns and approximately 500e- at 3 microns) than for the conveyor belt (2e- at 1 microns and approximately 50e- at 8 microns). In both cases the charge distribution was significantly higher than that predicted by Boltzmann's distribution.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1991

[The perception of the radiation situation and assessment of their own health status by the population living in an area under strict radiation control].

Studies of subjective perception of the radiation situation, self-estimation of the health status by the population, the attitude of the population to the formal information available were carried out in the strong radiation control areas and in the regions not polluted by radioactive fallout. Before the accident 71.6% of the population were not aware of real danger of radiation for health. During the accident and after it, mass media were the main source of information on the consequences of the accident and the effect of radiation (71.1%). 38% of the information was provided by scientists and specialists. 89.6% of the persons interviewed experience anxiety whatever the intelligence available. Only 13.4% of those who live in the areas polluted by radionuclides feel well. The low self-estimation of the health status, the high level of anxiety together with the deficiency of radiation and hygienic intelligence favour the forcing of the social and psychological tension and reduce the effectiveness of the whole complex of measures carried out in the areas polluted with radionuclides.

Accidents↗
PubMed2006

CFD as a tool in risk assessment of inhaled radon progenies.

During the last decade, computational fluid dynamics techniques proved to be a powerful tool in the modelling of biological processes and the design of biomedical devices. In this work, a computational fluid dynamics method was applied to model the transport of inhaled air and radioactive particles within the human respiratory tract. A finite volume numerical approach was used to compute the flow field characteristics and particle trajectories in the lumen of the first five airway generations of the human tracheobronchial tree, leading to the right upper lobe. The computations were performed for breathing and exposure conditions characteristic of uranium mines and homes. Primary radon daughter deposition patterns and energy distributions were computed, exhibiting highly inhomogeneous particle and energy deposition patterns. The results of the present modelling effort can serve as input data in lung cancer risk analysis.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed2005

Design of a radiation surveillance unit for an unmanned aerial vehicle.

This paper describes a prototype of a compact environmental radiation surveillance instrument designed for a Ranger unmanned aerial vehicle. The instrument, which can be used for tracking a radioactive plume, mapping fallout and searching for point sources, consists of three different detector types (GM, NaI(Tl) and CZT) and an air sampling unit. In addition to the standard electronics for data acquisition, the system contains an onboard computer, a GPS receiver and environmental sensors, all enclosed in a single housing manufactured of fiberglass-reinforced composite material. The data collected during the flight is transmitted in real-time to the ground station via a TETRA radio network. The radiation surveillance unit is an independent module and as such can be used in, for example, airplanes, helicopters and cars.

Accidents, Aviation↗
PubMed1983

An exact solution to the Gaussian cloud approximation for gamma absorbed dose due to a ground-level release.

An exact solution is presented for the classical Gaussian cloud approximation for long-term averaged estimates of gamma absorbed dose due to a ground-level release of radioactive gases and particles. The solution is in the form of relatively simple functions and is much easier to implement than the traditional solution. Also, it is shown that the Gaussian cloud approximation predicts lower absorbed dose than the uniform cloud approximation. The difference is significant when the product of gamma attenuation coefficient and vertical dispersion coefficient is small. Since the Gaussian cloud approximation is based on a more realistic concentration distribution than the uniform cloud approximation, the calculations using the former should give more accurate estimates of the long-term averaged dose for the sector-averaged plume.

Air Pollution, Radioactive↗
PubMed2001

The CEEF, closed ecosystem as a laboratory for determining the dynamics of radioactive isotopes.

Nuclear power generation is now confronted with a very difficult situation all over the world because of the problems of radioactive waste disposal and of the accidents, which have occurred. Nuclear power generation now supplies nearly 30% of total electric power demand in Japan. Therefore it is very difficult to change quickly the construction plans of nuclear facilities already designed. A nuclear fuel reprocessing center is now under construction in Rokkasho-Mura in Aomori Prefecture. If this center starts its operation, small amounts of 14CO2 are expected to be released into the atmosphere and will enter the global cycle. The simulation experiment of 14C trace amounts which enter into ecosystems is now being planned using stable isotope 13C within CEEF (Closed Ecology Experiment Facilities).

Air Pollution, Radioactive↗
PubMed2001

[Personal computer interactive algorithm for estimating radiologic contamination and doses after a nuclear accident in Europe].

The algorithm RANA (radiological assessment of nuclear accidents) is a tool which can be exploited to estimate the space and time structure of the radiological consequences of a radioactive release following a nuclear accident in Europe. The algorithm, formulated in the language of Mathematica, can be run on a personal computer. It uses simplified physical assumptions as for the the diffusion of the cloud and the transfer of the contamination to the food chain. The user gets the needed information by means of interactive windows that allow a fast evaluation of dose and contamination profiles. Calculations are performed either starting from the source terms or from the knowledge of experimental contamination data. Radiological consequences, such as individual or collective doses from several exposure paths, are parametrized in terms of the atmospheric diffusion categories.

Air Pollution, Radioactive↗
PubMed1994

Environmental and medical effects of nuclear weapon production in the southern Urals.

As a result of the activities of the 'Mayak' facility producing weapon's grade plutonium, large territories of the Urals Region (Russia) were exposed to radioactive contamination and the population residing in these territories was exposed to elevated radiation levels. Due to three radiation incidents and normal operation of the plant, significant radiation doses were received in a number of cases by the residents of the communities located in the close vicinity of the facility, along with its workers. Cases of chronic radiation sickness were registered within the early period of exposure and in the later years increased morbidity and mortality from leukosis and malignant neoplasms were noted. Problems of irradiation dose reconstruction, and the health status in the offspring of the exposed population are discussed.

Accidents↗