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de Souza Pereira W, Kelecom A, Lopes JM, Charles-Pierre M, do Carmo AS, Paiva AK, Pelegrinelli SQ, Filho WSS, Silva LF, da Silva AX. Internal dose rate due to intake of uranium and thorium by fish from a dam reservoir associated with a uranium mine in Brazil. RADIATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOPHYSICS 2024; 63:97-107. [PMID: 38197922 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-023-01051-2] [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: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Uranium mining can cause environmental impacts on non-human biota around mine sites. Because of this, the reduction in non-human biota exposure becomes an important issue. Environmental radioprotection results from the evolution of human radioprotection; it is based on dose rate to non-human biota and uses, as a biological target, and has harmful effects on populations. In the present study, a flooded impoundment created following dam construction in a uranium mine plant undergoing decommissioning was investigated. Internal dose rates due to activity concentration of natural uranium (Unat) and 232Th in omnivorous, phytophagous, and carnivorous fish species were estimated. Radionuclide activity concentrations were obtained by spectrophotometry with arsenazo III in the visible range. The dose rate contribution of 232Th was lower than that of Unat. There were no differences between the internal dose rates to studied fish species due to 232Th, but there were differences for Unat. A dose rate of 2.30·10-2 µGy∙d-1 was found due to the two studied radionuclides. Although this value falls below the benchmark for harmful effects, it is important to acknowledge that the assessment did not account for other critical radionuclides from uranium mining, which also contribute to the internal dose. Moreover, the study did not assess external doses. As a result, the possibility cannot be excluded that dose rates at the study area overcome the established benchmarks for harmful effects.
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Vives I Batlle J, Sweeck L, Fiengo Pérez F. Impact of medical radionuclide discharges on people and the environment. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2024; 272:107362. [PMID: 38183869 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2023.107362] [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: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
We present a novel methodology to dynamically calculate dose rates to people and wildlife from hospital-released radionuclides reaching the environment through water treatment plants (WTPs), using the biokinetic model D-DAT for aquatic wildlife, applied to 18F, 123I, 131I, 153Sm, 99mTc and 201Tl. We have also developed a method to calculate doses to WTP workers and to farmers from agricultural practices. This proof-of-concept study simulates a generic source term of radionuclide levels in the Belgian Molse Nete River during the year 2018, chosen because the river flow was very low during that year, which constitutes a very conservative, bounding case. The dose rates to wildlife calculated for this hypothetical scenario under conservative assumptions, are well below the ERICA predicted no effects dose rate to wildlife of 10 μGy h-1. Human exposures are also very low, in most cases not exceeding 10 μSv y-1. This work identifies important data gaps and areas of uncertainty in the assessment of radiopharmaceutical effluents. The study, which is part of the EC project SINFONIA, paves the way for a dynamic screening assessment methodology able to perform consistently assessments of the impact of radiopharmaceuticals on people and wildlife. This is particularly relevant since discharges of radiopharmaceuticals in rivers are on the increase and it is necessary to explicitly demonstrate that people and the environment are adequately protected.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Vives I Batlle
- Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK•CEN), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium.
| | - L Sweeck
- Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK•CEN), Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
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3
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Lee C, Shin SH, Kim HR, Hwang IS. Semi-mechanistic analysis of emergency planning zones for 20 MWe lead-cooled fast reactor by hypothetical accidents during Korea's arctic exploration. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2023; 257:107084. [PMID: 36495763 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2022.107084] [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: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Small modular reactors or micro modular reactors have been considered as an alternative power source for merchant ships because of minimal carbon emission and a long lifecycle without refueling. Ahead of the operation, however, their emergency planning zones (EPZs) should be optimally set and approved to ensure both radiological safety and cost efficiency in case of nuclear accidents. Thus, the required size of EPZs was analyzed based on semi-mechanistic assumptions for hypothetical accidents with MicroURANUS, a micro modular fast reactor type of 20-MW lead-bismuth-cooled, used to power an icebreaker during Korea's Arctic missions. For meteorological data, actual icebreaker data acquired in 2020s Artic exploration were utilized. The results showed that EPZ sizes, rationalized in terms of stability class, wind directions, and inherent radioprotection design, ranged within the assumed icebreaker boundary. When comparing various regulations among countries and the International Atomic Energy Agency, dose criteria of Korea (10 mSv/2 d) were found to be strictest. Since major contribution to the whole-body dose was from noble gases (over 96%), a high-quality air filtration system in addition to external shielding would significantly reduce hazards. The emergency situation could be successfully controlled without evacuation and sheltering, avoiding overestimated socioeconomic costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chanki Lee
- Nuclear Emergency Preparedness Team, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, 111 Deadeok-daero 989 beon-gil, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Seung Hun Shin
- Department of Nuclear Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, 50 UNIST-gil, Ulju-gun, Ulsan, South Korea
| | - Hee Reyoung Kim
- Department of Nuclear Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, 50 UNIST-gil, Ulju-gun, Ulsan, South Korea.
| | - Il Soon Hwang
- Department of Nuclear Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, 50 UNIST-gil, Ulju-gun, Ulsan, South Korea
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MacIntosh A, Koppel DJ, Johansen MP, Beresford NA, Copplestone D, Penrose B, Cresswell T. Radiological risk assessment to marine biota from exposure to NORM from a decommissioned offshore oil and gas pipeline. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2022; 251-252:106979. [PMID: 35963215 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2022.106979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Scale residues can accumulate on the interior surfaces of subsea petroleum pipes and may incorporate naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM). The persistent nature of 'NORM scale' may result in a radiological dose to the organisms living on or near intact pipelines. Following a scenario of in-situ decommissioning of a subsea pipeline, marine organisms occupying the exteriors or interiors of petroleum structures may have close contact with the scale or other NORM-associated contaminated substances and suffer subsequent radiological effects. This case study used radiological dose modelling software, including the ERICA Tool (v2.0), MicroShield® Pro and mathematical equations, to estimate the likely radiological doses and risks of effects from NORM-contaminated scale to marine biota from a decommissioned offshore oil and gas pipeline. Using activity concentrations of NORM (226Ra, 210Po, 210Pb, 228Ra, 228Th) from a subsea pipeline from Australia, environmental realistic exposure scenarios including radiological exposures from both an intact pipe (external only; accounting for radiation shielding by a cylindrical carbon steel pipe) and a decommissioned pipeline with corrosive breakthrough (resulting in both internal and external radiological exposure) were simulated to estimate doses to model marine organisms. Predicted dose rates for both the external only exposure (ranging from 26 μGy/h to 33 μGy/h) and a corroded pipeline (ranging from 300 μGy/h to 16,000 μGy/h) exceeded screening levels for radiological doses to environmental receptors. The study highlighted the importance of using scale-specific solubility data (i.e., Kd) values for individual NORM radionuclides for ERICA assessments. This study provides an approach for conducting marine organism dose assessments for NORM-contaminated subsea pipelines and highlights scientific gaps required to undertake risk assessments necessary to inform infrastructure decommissioning planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy MacIntosh
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia; School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Darren J Koppel
- Curtin University Oil and Gas Innovation Centre, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Mathew P Johansen
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia
| | | | - David Copplestone
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, United Kingdom
| | - Beth Penrose
- Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Tom Cresswell
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia
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Fast-response flow-based method for evaluating 131I from biological and hospital waste samples exploiting liquid scintillation detection. Talanta 2020; 206:120224. [PMID: 31514858 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2019.120224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Revised: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
This paper presents a fast and automatic flow-based method to extract 131I from biological samples and hospital waste, previous to liquid scintillation detection. 131I is a radionuclide extensively used in Nuclear Medicine due to their beta and gamma disintegrations, whereby hospitals have to manage the associated waste generation. The automatic developed system is based on Lab-On-Valve (LOV) flow-technique exploiting Cl-resin (135 mg per extraction). This methodology allows performing sample extractions and measurements on the same day, since the extraction frequency takes 1.4-4 h-1, depending on the analysed sample volume, plus up to 2 h of measurement for each vial. 131I is retained as iodine ion and eluted with sodium sulphide 0.2 mol L-1. The maximum sample volume that can be preconcentrated is 20 mL, reaching an extraction efficiency of 85 ± 5%. The minimum detectable activity (MDA) is 0.05 Bq, showing a precision of 7% RSD (n = 5). Both, biological samples (urine and saliva) and hospital waste samples can be satisfactorily analysed by the proposed system, obtaining recoveries between 90 and 110%. The developed method is then suitable to implement in hospitals, improving the surveillance of the 131I environmental release.
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Skoko B, Babić D, Marović G, Papić S. Environmental radiological risk assessment of a coal ash and slag disposal site with the use of the ERICA Tool. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2019; 208-209:106018. [PMID: 31336259 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2019.106018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Revised: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the environmental radiological risk of coal ash and slag to terrestrial wildlife. The research site used in this study was a disposal site of coal ash and slag with enhaced content of uranium decay chain radionuclides. With the use of the ERICA Tool, total dose rates to wildlife and risk of resultant radiobiological effects were estimated. As input data for the assessment, experimental activity concentrations of 238U, 226Ra and 210Pb in coal ash and slag and best estimates of activity concentrations for related daughter radionuclides and 235U decay chain were used. Where possible, the experimental data for activity concentrations of 238U, 226Ra and 210Pb in plants and related concentration ratios were used. Results were compared to background dose rates, also estimated by the Tool. The Tool's assessment data indicated internal exposure as the prevalent exposure pathway with 226Ra and 210Po as the main dose contributors. Also, the contribution of 235U decay chain to the total dose rate was not negligible since for some organisms it represented up to 11% of the total dose rate. The risk of an occurrence of radiobiological effects in plants on the coal ash and slag disposal site can be considered negligible since the estimated total dose rates were below the screening dose of 10 μGyh-1 and near the dose rates estimated for plants in the control area. However, the estimated dose rates for reference animals and Lichen & Bryophytes were above the screening dose rate for most organisms and on average 13 times higher than the estimated background dose rates. At the given dose rates, an occurrence of different radiobiological effects could not be excluded for animals in close contact with coal ash and slag such as earthworms and small burrowing mammals. A separate assessment performed on an example of reference plants showed that the use of activity concentrations in organisms as input data can result in an order of magnitude smaller estimates of dose rates in comparison to activity concentration in coal and ash as input data. Our study highlighted the need for experimental data in radiological risk assessments to mitigate the conservatism of the ERICA Tool and its tendency to overestimate dose rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Božena Skoko
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Dinko Babić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Gordana Marović
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Sanja Papić
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Marulićev trg 19, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
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Martínez J, Baciu T, Peñalver A, Aguilar C, Borrull F. Occurrence of and radioanalytical methods used to determine medical radionuclides in environmental and biological samples. A review. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2019; 207:37-52. [PMID: 31158614 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2019.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Medical radionuclides are widely used in nuclear medicine practices today. Their production, handling and administration have different impacts on the environment and society due to the radioactive waste generated. Over recent years authors have taken an interest in the monitoring and safe disposal of this radiopharmaceutical waste, mainly in environmental and biological samples, and consequently a variety of radioanalytical methods for these matrices have been developed. The present review aims to outline the state of the art and the latest trends reported in the literature from 2007 to the present, focusing on the occurrence and determination of medical radionuclides in environmental and biological samples. Special attention is given to critically discussing the strengths and weaknesses of the different steps involved in determining medical radionuclides in these types of matrices. The methodologies presented are accompanied by examples.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Martínez
- Departament de Química Analítica i Química Orgànica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Unitat de Radioquímica Ambiental i Sanitaria (URAIS), Consorci d'Aigües de Tarragona (CAT), Carretera Nacional 340, Km. 1094, 43895, L'Ampolla, Tarragona, Spain
| | - T Baciu
- Departament de Química Analítica i Química Orgànica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Unitat de Radioquímica Ambiental i Sanitaria (URAIS), Consorci d'Aigües de Tarragona (CAT), Carretera Nacional 340, Km. 1094, 43895, L'Ampolla, Tarragona, Spain
| | - A Peñalver
- Departament de Química Analítica i Química Orgànica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Unitat de Radioquímica Ambiental i Sanitaria (URAIS), Consorci d'Aigües de Tarragona (CAT), Carretera Nacional 340, Km. 1094, 43895, L'Ampolla, Tarragona, Spain
| | - C Aguilar
- Departament de Química Analítica i Química Orgànica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Unitat de Radioquímica Ambiental i Sanitaria (URAIS), Consorci d'Aigües de Tarragona (CAT), Carretera Nacional 340, Km. 1094, 43895, L'Ampolla, Tarragona, Spain
| | - F Borrull
- Departament de Química Analítica i Química Orgànica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Unitat de Radioquímica Ambiental i Sanitaria (URAIS), Consorci d'Aigües de Tarragona (CAT), Carretera Nacional 340, Km. 1094, 43895, L'Ampolla, Tarragona, Spain.
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Sá do Carmo A, Vianello EA, de Souza Pereira W, Lima de Macêdo EM, Xavier da Silva A. WITHDRAWN: Assessment of 131I and 99mTc activity concentration under environmental optics. Radiat Phys Chem Oxf Engl 1993 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2019.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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9
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Martínez J, Peñalver A, Baciu T, Artigues M, Danús M, Aguilar C, Borrull F. Presence of artificial radionuclides in samples from potable water and wastewater treatment plants. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2018; 192:187-193. [PMID: 29982003 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2018.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Human activity, such as the operation of nuclear power plants (NPPs) and the use of radionuclides in nuclear medicine, results in the presence of artificial radionuclides in surface waters, which may even reach potable water treatment plants (PWTPs) and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). In this study, water and sludge samples from a PWTP are radiologically monitored. The incoming water of the plant is influenced by the presence of an NPP upstream. Two WWTPs receiving wastewater from medical centres and other origins are also studied. As a result, 131I, 60Co and 137Cs have been determined in the dewatered sludge samples from the PWTP, while 131I, 99mTc, 67Ga and 111In were detected in the sludge samples from the WWTPs. The radionuclide activities in the influent water from the WWTPs studied were lower than the minimum detectable activity values. Therefore, on the basis of our results, the analysis of sludge samples is very useful as it enables the concentration of any radionuclides that may be present in the incoming water. Lastly, as higher activity of 131I was detected in the samples studied, the total effective dose was assessed for WWTP workers, as they handle dewatered sludge containing this radionuclide. It can be concluded that there is no risk in terms of total exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Martínez
- Departament de Química Analítica i Química Orgànica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Unitat de Radioquímica Ambiental i Sanitaria (URAIS), Consorci d'Aigües de Tarragona (CAT), Carretera Nacional 340, Km. 1094, 43895, L'Ampolla, Tarragona, Spain
| | - A Peñalver
- Departament de Química Analítica i Química Orgànica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Unitat de Radioquímica Ambiental i Sanitaria (URAIS), Consorci d'Aigües de Tarragona (CAT), Carretera Nacional 340, Km. 1094, 43895, L'Ampolla, Tarragona, Spain
| | - T Baciu
- Departament de Química Analítica i Química Orgànica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Unitat de Radioquímica Ambiental i Sanitaria (URAIS), Consorci d'Aigües de Tarragona (CAT), Carretera Nacional 340, Km. 1094, 43895, L'Ampolla, Tarragona, Spain
| | | | - M Danús
- Departament de Medicina Nuclear, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Av. del Dr Josep Laporte, 243204, Reus, Spain
| | - C Aguilar
- Departament de Química Analítica i Química Orgànica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Unitat de Radioquímica Ambiental i Sanitaria (URAIS), Consorci d'Aigües de Tarragona (CAT), Carretera Nacional 340, Km. 1094, 43895, L'Ampolla, Tarragona, Spain.
| | - F Borrull
- Departament de Química Analítica i Química Orgànica, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Unitat de Radioquímica Ambiental i Sanitaria (URAIS), Consorci d'Aigües de Tarragona (CAT), Carretera Nacional 340, Km. 1094, 43895, L'Ampolla, Tarragona, Spain
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Walsh JJ, Lenes JM, Weisberg RH, Zheng L, Hu C, Fanning KA, Snyder R, Smith J. More surprises in the global greenhouse: Human health impacts from recent toxic marine aerosol formations, due to centennial alterations of world-wide coastal food webs. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2017; 116:9-40. [PMID: 28111002 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.12.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2015] [Revised: 12/17/2016] [Accepted: 12/18/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Reductions of zooplankton biomasses and grazing pressures were observed during overfishing-induced trophic cascades and concurrent oil spills at global scales. Recent phytoplankton increments followed, once Fe-, P-, and N-nutrient limitations of commensal diazotrophs and dinoflagellates were also eliminated by respective human desertification, deforestation, and eutrophication during climate changes. Si-limitation of diatoms instead ensued during these last anthropogenic perturbations of agricultural effluents and sewage loadings. Consequently, ~15% of total world-wide annual asthma trigger responses, i.e. amounting to ~45 million adjacent humans during 2004, resulted from brevetoxin and palytoxin poisons in aerosol forms of western boundary current origins. They were denoted by greater global harmful algal bloom [HAB] abundances and breathing attacks among sea-side children during prior decadal surveys of asthma prevalence, compiled here in ten paired shelf ecosystems of western and eutrophied boundary currents. Since 1965, such inferred onshore fluxes of aerosolized DOC poisons of HABs may have served as additional wind-borne organic carriers of toxic marine MeHg, phthalate, and DDT/DDE vectors, traced by radio-iodine isotopes to potentially elicit carcinomas. During these exchanges, as much as 40% of mercury poisonings may instead have been effected by inhalation of collateral HAB-carried marine neurotoxic aerosols of MeHg, not just from eating marine fish. Health impacts in some areas were additional asthma and pneumonia episodes, as well as endocrine disruptions among the same adjacent humans, with known large local rates of thyroid cancers, physician-diagnosed pulmonary problems, and ubiquitous high indices of mercury in hair, pesticides in breast milk, and phthalates in urine.
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Affiliation(s)
- J J Walsh
- College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, St. Petersberg, FL 33701, United States.
| | - J M Lenes
- College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, St. Petersberg, FL 33701, United States
| | - R H Weisberg
- College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, St. Petersberg, FL 33701, United States
| | - L Zheng
- College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, St. Petersberg, FL 33701, United States
| | - C Hu
- College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, St. Petersberg, FL 33701, United States
| | - K A Fanning
- College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, St. Petersberg, FL 33701, United States
| | - R Snyder
- Virginia Institute of Marine Science Eastern Shore Laboratory, Wachapreague, VA 23480, United States
| | - J Smith
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, United States
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Brown JE, Alfonso B, Avila R, Beresford NA, Copplestone D, Hosseini A. A new version of the ERICA tool to facilitate impact assessments of radioactivity on wild plants and animals. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2016; 153:141-148. [PMID: 26773508 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2015] [Revised: 12/08/2015] [Accepted: 12/08/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
A new version of the ERICA Tool (version 1.2) was released in November 2014; this constitutes the first major update of the Tool since release in 2007. The key features of the update are presented in this article. Of particular note are new transfer databases extracted from an international compilation of concentration ratios (CRwo-media) and the modification of 'extrapolation' approaches used to select transfer data in cases where information is not available. Bayesian updating approaches have been used in some cases to draw on relevant information that would otherwise have been excluded in the process of deriving CRwo-media statistics. All of these efforts have in turn led to the requirement to update Environmental Media Concentration Limits (EMCLs) used in Tier 1 assessments. Some of the significant changes with regard to EMCLs are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- J E Brown
- Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, Department of Emergency Preparedness and Environmental Radioactivity, Grini næringspark 13 Postbox 55, NO-1332, Østerås, Norway.
| | - B Alfonso
- Facilia AB, Gustavslundsvägen 151C, 167 51, Bromma, Sweden
| | - R Avila
- Facilia AB, Gustavslundsvägen 151C, 167 51, Bromma, Sweden
| | - N A Beresford
- NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Center, Library Av., Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA14AP, UK
| | - D Copplestone
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK
| | - A Hosseini
- Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, Department of Emergency Preparedness and Environmental Radioactivity, Grini næringspark 13 Postbox 55, NO-1332, Østerås, Norway
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12
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Pearson AJ, Gaw S, Hermanspahn N, Glover CN. Natural and anthropogenic radionuclide activity concentrations in the New Zealand diet. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2016; 151 Pt 3:601-8. [PMID: 26094571 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2015] [Revised: 05/15/2015] [Accepted: 05/25/2015] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
To support New Zealand's food safety monitoring regime, a survey was undertaken to establish radionuclide activity concentrations across the New Zealand diet. This survey was undertaken to better understand the radioactivity content of the modern diet and also to assess the suitability of the current use of milk as a sentinel for dietary radionuclide trends. Thirteen radionuclides were analysed in 40 common food commodities, including animal products, fruits, vegetables, cereal grains and seafood. Activity was detected for (137)Caesium, (90)Strontium and (131)Iodine. No other anthropogenic radionuclides were detected. Activity concentrations of the three natural radionuclides of Uranium and the daughter radionuclide (210)Polonium were detected in the majority of food sampled, with a large variation in magnitude. The maximum activity concentrations were detected in shellfish for all these radionuclides. Based on the established activity concentrations and ranges, the New Zealand diet contains activity concentrations of anthropogenic radionuclides far below the Codex Alimentarius guideline levels. Activity concentrations obtained for milk support its continued use as a sentinel for monitoring fallout radionuclides in terrestrial agriculture. The significant levels of natural and anthropogenic radionuclide activity concentrations detected in finfish and molluscs support undertaking further research to identify a suitable sentinel for New Zealand seafood monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Pearson
- Ministry for Primary Industries, PO Box 2526, Wellington, 6140, New Zealand; University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, 8140, New Zealand.
| | - Sally Gaw
- University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, 8140, New Zealand.
| | - Nikolaus Hermanspahn
- Institute of Environmental Science & Research Ltd, PO Box 29-181, Christchurch, 8540, New Zealand.
| | - Chris N Glover
- University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, 8140, New Zealand.
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Rose PS, Smith JP, Aller RC, Cochran JK, Swanson RL, Coffin RB. Medically-Derived (131)I as a Tool for Investigating the Fate of Wastewater Nitrogen in Aquatic Environments. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2015; 49:10312-10319. [PMID: 26008140 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b00189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Medically derived (131)I (t1/2 = 8.04 d) is discharged from water pollution control plants (WPCPs) in sewage effluent. Iodine's nutrient-like behavior and the source-specificity of (131)I make this radionuclide a potentially valuable tracer in wastewater nitrogen studies. Iodine-131 was measured in Potomac River water and sediments in the vicinity of the Blue Plains WPCP, Washington, DC, USA. Dissolved (131)I showed a strong, positive correlation with δ(15)N values of nitrate (δ(15)NO3(-)) in the river, the latter being a traditional indicator of nutrient inputs and recycling. Surface water δ(15)NO3(-) values ranged from 8.7 to 33.4‰; NO3(-) + NO2(-) concentrations were 0.39-2.79 mg N L(-1) (26-186 μM). Sediment profiles of particulate (131)I and δ(15)N indicate rapid mixing or sedimentation and in many cases remineralization of a heavy nitrogen source consistent with wastewater nitrogen. Values of δ(15)N in sediments ranged from 4.7 to 9.3‰. This work introduces (131)I as a tool to investigate the short-term fate of wastewater nitrogen in the Potomac River and demonstrates the general utility of (131)I in aquatic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula S Rose
- Marine Sciences Research Center, School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University , Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States
- SAIC, Marine Biogeochemistry, Code 6114, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory , Washington, D.C. 20375, United States
| | - Joseph P Smith
- Marine Biogeochemistry, Code 6114, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory , Washington, D.C. 20375, United States
| | - Robert C Aller
- Marine Sciences Research Center, School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University , Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States
| | - J Kirk Cochran
- Marine Sciences Research Center, School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University , Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States
| | - R Lawrence Swanson
- Marine Sciences Research Center, School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University , Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States
| | - Richard B Coffin
- Marine Biogeochemistry, Code 6114, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory , Washington, D.C. 20375, United States
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Kelly DG, Mattson KM, McDonald C, Nielsen KS, Weir RD. Environmental radionuclide monitoring of Canadian harbours: a decade of analyses in support of due diligence activities by the Royal Canadian Navy. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2014; 138:303-307. [PMID: 24954004 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2014.05.023] [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: 08/15/2013] [Revised: 05/13/2014] [Accepted: 05/29/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The Royal Canadian Navy has conducted a comprehensive programme of safety, security and environmental monitoring since the first visits of nuclear powered and nuclear capable vessels (NPV/NCVs) to Canadian harbours in the late 1960s. The outcomes of baseline monitoring and vessel visit sampling for the period 2003-2012 are described for vessel visits to Halifax (NS), Esquimalt (BC) and Nanoose (BC). Data were obtained by gamma-ray spectroscopy using high purity germanium detectors. No evidence was found for the release of radioactive fission or activation products by NCV/NPVs during the study period, although anthropogenically produced radionuclides were observed as part of the study's baseline monitoring. Background activities of Cs-137 can be observed in sediments from all three locations which are derived from well-documented radioactivity releases. The detection of I-131 in aquatic plants is consistently observed in Halifax at activities as high as 15,000 Bq kg(-1) dry weight. These data are tentatively assigned to the release of medical I-131, followed by bioaccumulation from seawater. I-131 was also observed in aquatic plants samples from Esquimalt (33 Bq kg(-1)) and Nanoose (20 Bq kg(-1)) for a single sampling following the Fukushima Daiichi accident.
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Affiliation(s)
- David G Kelly
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, P.O. Box 17000 Stn Forces, Kingston, ON K7K 7B4, Canada.
| | - Kristine M Mattson
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, P.O. Box 17000 Stn Forces, Kingston, ON K7K 7B4, Canada
| | - Curtis McDonald
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, P.O. Box 17000 Stn Forces, Kingston, ON K7K 7B4, Canada
| | - Kathy S Nielsen
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, P.O. Box 17000 Stn Forces, Kingston, ON K7K 7B4, Canada
| | - Ron D Weir
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada, P.O. Box 17000 Stn Forces, Kingston, ON K7K 7B4, Canada
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Fukuda SY, Iwamoto K, Atsumi M, Yokoyama A, Nakayama T, Ishida KI, Inouye I, Shiraiwa Y. Global searches for microalgae and aquatic plants that can eliminate radioactive cesium, iodine and strontium from the radio-polluted aquatic environment: a bioremediation strategy. JOURNAL OF PLANT RESEARCH 2013; 127:79-89. [PMID: 24346654 PMCID: PMC3889918 DOI: 10.1007/s10265-013-0596-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2013] [Accepted: 09/03/2013] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The Fukushima 1 Nuclear Power Plant accident in March 2011 released an enormously high level of radionuclides into the environment, a total estimation of 6.3 × 10¹⁷ Bq represented by mainly radioactive Cs, Sr, and I. Because these radionuclides are biophilic, an urgent risk has arisen due to biological intake and subsequent food web contamination in the ecosystem. Thus, urgent elimination of radionuclides from the environment is necessary to prevent substantial radiopollution of organisms. In this study, we selected microalgae and aquatic plants that can efficiently eliminate these radionuclides from the environment. The ability of aquatic plants and algae was assessed by determining the elimination rate of radioactive Cs, Sr and I from culture medium and the accumulation capacity of radionuclides into single cells or whole bodies. Among 188 strains examined from microalgae, aquatic plants and unidentified algal species, we identified six, three and eight strains that can accumulate high levels of radioactive Cs, Sr and I from the medium, respectively. Notably, a novel eustigmatophycean unicellular algal strain, nak 9, showed the highest ability to eliminate radioactive Cs from the medium by cellular accumulation. Our results provide an important strategy for decreasing radiopollution in Fukushima area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin-ya Fukuda
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572 Japan
| | - Koji Iwamoto
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572 Japan
| | - Mika Atsumi
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572 Japan
| | - Akiko Yokoyama
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572 Japan
| | - Takeshi Nakayama
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572 Japan
| | - Ken-ichiro Ishida
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572 Japan
| | - Isao Inouye
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572 Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Shiraiwa
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572 Japan
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16
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Rose PS, Swanson RL. Iodine-131 in sewage sludge from a small water pollution control plant serving a thyroid cancer treatment facility. HEALTH PHYSICS 2013; 105:115-120. [PMID: 23799495 DOI: 10.1097/hp.0b013e31828459ef] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Iodine-131 (half-life = 8.04 d) is the most widely used radionuclide in medicine for therapeutic purposes. It is excreted by patients and is discharged directly to sewer systems. Despite considerable dilution in waste water and the relatively short half-life of I, it is readily measured in sewage. This work presents I concentrations in sewage sludge from three water pollution control plants (WPCPs) on Long Island, NY. Iodine-131 concentrations ranged from 0.027 ± 0.002 to 148 ± 4 Bq g dry weight. The highest concentrations were measured in the Stony Brook WPCP, a relatively small plant (average flow = 6.8 × 10 L d) serving a regional thyroid cancer treatment facility in Stony Brook, NY. Preliminary radiation dose calculations suggested further evaluation of dose to treatment plant workers in the Stony Brook WPCP based on the recommendations of the Interagency Steering Committee on Radiation Standards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula S Rose
- Marine Sciences Research Center, School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-5000, USA.
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Rose PS, Smith JP, Cochran JK, Aller RC, Swanson RL. Behavior of medically-derived 131I in the tidal Potomac River. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2013; 452-453:87-97. [PMID: 23500402 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.01.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2012] [Revised: 01/15/2013] [Accepted: 01/18/2013] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Iodine-131 (t1/2=8.04 d) is administered to patients for treatment of thyroid disorders, excreted by patients and discharged to surface waters via sewage effluent. Radionuclides generally behave like their stable analogs; therefore, medically-derived (131)I is useful as a transport-reaction tracer of anthropogenic inputs and the aquatic biogeochemistry of iodine. Iodine-131 was measured in Potomac River water and sediments in the vicinity of the Blue Plains Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP), Washington, DC, USA. Concentrations measured in sewage effluent from Blue Plains WPCP and in the Potomac River suggest a relatively continuous source of this radionuclide. The range of (131)I concentrations detected in surface water was 0.076±0.006 to 6.07±0.07 Bq L(-1). Iodine-131 concentrations in sediments ranged from 1.3±0.8 to 117±2 Bq kg(-1) dry weight. Partitioning in the sewage effluent from Blue Plains and in surface waters indicated that (131)I is associated with colloidal and particulate organic material. The behavior of medically-derived (131)I in the Potomac River is consistent with the nutrient-like behavior of natural iodine in aquatic environments. After discharge to the river via sewage effluent, it is incorporated into biogenic particulate material and deposited in sediments. Solid phase sediment profiles of (131)I indicated rapid mixing or sedimentation of particulate debris and diagenetic remineralization and recycling on short time scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula S Rose
- Marine Sciences Research Center, School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
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Krawczyk E, Piñero-García F, Ferro-García MA. Discharges of nuclear medicine radioisotopes in Spanish hospitals. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2013; 116:93-98. [PMID: 23103581 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2012.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2012] [Revised: 06/21/2012] [Accepted: 08/14/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Given the increasing use of radiopharmaceuticals in medicine, the aim of this paper is to determine radioactivity levels in the effluents of hospitals with Nuclear Medicine Departments. The radiological study of hospital discharges was carried out by gamma spectrometry, and liquid scintillation spectrometry to determine (14)C and (3)H contents. On March 9th and April 19th, 2010, daily radioactivity levels were monitored from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Each sample was collected at a specific control point of two major public hospitals in Granada (Spain). The analytical results show the presence of radionuclides such as (99m)Tc, (131)I, (67)Ga, and (111)In.They are frequently used in nuclear medicine for diagnostic and/or therapeutic purposes. This study shows the differences between direct and after-storage discharges and also justifies the need of storage tanks in hospitals with nuclear medicine departments. Moreover, monitoring of (99m)Tc released at hospital control points can be a useful tool for optimizing the safety conditions of storage tanks and discharge of radionuclides.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Krawczyk
- Radiochemistry and Environmental Radiology Laboratory, LABRADIQ, Inorganic Chemical Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
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Gilfillan NR, Timmers H. Detection and tracing of the medical radioisotope131I in the Canberra environment. EPJ WEB OF CONFERENCES 2012. [DOI: 10.1051/epjconf/20123504002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Manley SL, Lowe CG. Canopy-forming kelps as California's coastal dosimeter: 131I from damaged Japanese reactor measured in Macrocystis pyrifera. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2012; 46:3731-6. [PMID: 22394401 DOI: 10.1021/es203598r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant, damaged by an earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011 released large amounts of (131)I into the atmosphere, which was assimilated into canopy blades of Macrocystis pyrifera sampled from coastal California. The specific activity calculated to the estimated date of deposition/assimilation ranged from 0.6 to 2.5 Bq gdwt(-1), levels greater than those measured from kelps from Japan and Canada prior to the release. These (131)I levels represent a significant input into the kelp forest ecosystem. Canopy-forming kelps are a natural coastal dosimeter that can measure the exposure of the coastal environment to (131)I and perhaps other radioisotopes released from nuclear accidents. An organizational mechanism should be in place to ensure that they are sampled immediately and continuously after such releases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven L Manley
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Long Beach, California 90840, United States.
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