210Po Concentrations Research Articles

New insights in tobacco radiotoxicity: on the research of 210Po in modern heated tobacco product-radioactivity, distribution, and dose assessment.

The purpose of the study was to assess the radiological risk to users and the environment related to the Glo system used to heat tobacco. The concentration of 210Po, radioactivity per cartridge, and radiation dose assessment were evaluated. For comparison purposes, to present the exposure scale, the same analyses were also performed for several traditional cigarettes. The tests were carried out on an alpha spectrometer equipped with a PIPS detector. After examining 60 samples, the concentration of 210Po was found in tobacco that was a filling of Neo cartridges and in traditional cigarettes. 210Po concentrations [in mBq∙g-1] in heated tobacco were higher than in unheated. After heating, a little release of polonium (mBq per cartridge) was observed. The research was also done taking into account the flavor of the Neo cartridges and cartridges from different packages. The 210Po concentrations in heated Neo cartridges were greater than 30mBq∙g-1 and in traditional cigarettes up to 50mBq∙g-1. The estimated annual effective dose for Neo cartridges was lower than that for traditional smoking. However, it cannot be concluded that the use of Neo cartridges is healthier and does not affect the environment. What is disturbing is the increase in the number of cartridges used daily, resulting in the creation of waste containing 210Po and, of course, a higher effective dose received by the user.

Determination of 210Po levels and annual committed effective dose in crustaceans from an oil-contaminated Mangrove Ecosystem in Niger Delta, Nigeria

This study examined the levels of 210Po and the annual effective dose in edible crustaceans from the Santa Barbara River, Nembe. The crustaceans analyzed included Crab (Cardisoma crassum), Prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii), Shrimp (Penaeus notalis), and Crayfish (Decapoda reptania). The concentration of 210Po in the crustaceans was measured using an alpha spectrometric procedure, with 209Po tracer used as a yield monitor after acidified HNO3 digestion. The results indicated trace amounts of 210Po in the different crustaceans, with a concentration of 24.17 Bq kg−1 fresh weight in Crab, 0.01 Bq kg−1 fresh weight in Prawn, 50.89 Bq kg−1 fresh weight in Shrimp, and 40.71 Bq kg−1 fresh weight in Crayfish. The doses of 210Po concentration from the crustaceans were calculated using ingestion dose coefficients of 1.2 μSv Bq−1 for adults, as provided by the regulatory framework that protects humans from exposure to ionizing radiation. The calculated annual effective doses suggested low levels of exposure to crustacean consumers, with values below the recommended limit of 1000 μSv y−1 set by the ICRP for effective dose. The crustaceans with the highest annual committed effective doses of 210Po were Penaeus notalis and Decapoda reptania. However, even small amounts of 210Po in crustaceans can lead to contamination that may be harmful to human health.

Evaluation of 210Po, 210Pb, and potentially toxic element concentrations in aquatic environments and polychaetes along the southeast coast of Chennai, Tamil Nadu: a baseline report

ABSTRACT The activity concentrations of radionuclides (210Po and 210Pb) and the concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in water, sediment, and two polychaete species (Marphysa madrasi and Namalycastis jaya) collected from 12 stations, denoted as S1 to S12, along the coast of Tamil Nadu, Chennai, in southeast India has been investigated. The average activity concentrations of 210Po and 210Pb were 0.39 ± 0.01 mBq/L and 3.30 ± 0.06 mBq/L in water, and 0.80 ± 0.02 Bq/kg and 4.21 ± 0.19 Bq/kg in sediment, respectively. Marphysa madrasi exhibited higher 210Po and 210Pb activity concentrations (37.78 ± 0.43 Bq/kg and 17.25 ± 0.22 Bq/kg, respectively) compared to Namalycastis jaya (34.40 ± 0.42 Bq/kg and 15.91 ± 0.26 Bq/kg, respectively). Maximum activity concentrations for both radionuclides in water were observed at Kalpaakam (S11) and Nemmeli (S7), while maximum sediment activity concentrations were found at Nemmeli (S7). The elevated activity concentrations in polychaetes from Nemmeli (S7) likely reflect the significantly higher 210Po and 210Pb activity concentrations observed in sediments from this site when compared to other sites. Bioaccumulation values for 210Po and 210Pb averaged 6.89 × 101 and 4.20 for M. madrasi, and 6.17 × 101and 3.84 for N. jaya , respectively. Sediment PTE concentrations followed the order: Fe > Zn > Mn > Ni > Co > Cr > Pb > Cd > Cu. Risk assessment indicated alarming levels of PTE contamination in sediments, suggesting severe anthropogenic impacts. In contrast, average PTE concentrations in polychaetes followed the order: Fe > Cu > Zn > Mn> Cr > Ni > Co > Cd > Pb. Statistical analysis revealed strong and significant correlations (p < 0.05) between PTE concentrations in sediments and polychaetes. The present study offers baseline data for evaluatingthe levels of 210Po and 210Pb in water, sediment, and polychaetes in selected locations along Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India’s southeast coast. These findings lay the groundwork for further studies of polychaetes, specifically the ecological effects of PTEs and radionuclides on coastal creatures and biomagnification.

Radiotoxic elements of 210Pb and 210Po inhalation dose calculation in tobacco smokes

Abstract An assessment of 210Po and 210Pb concentrations in tobacco samples from Turkey was conducted for this study. Although tobacco contains elevated levels of 210Pb and 210Po, smoking is recognized to be a significant contributor to radiation doses received by individuals. The chemical separation process and Alpha spectroscopy were applied to determine 210Pb and 210Po. According to this analysis, the activity concentrations 210Po in cigarette samples ranged between 5.28 ± 0.15 mBq/g to 27.15 ± 2.10 mBq/g, with an average of 14.69 ± 0.68 mBq/g. Similarly, the activity concentration 210Pb in cigarette samples was obtained from 5.11 ± 0.14 mBq/g to 22.08 ± 1.36 mBq/g, with an average of 12.36 ± 0.37 mBq/g. Inhalation of 210Po and 210Pb with cigarette smoke was used to calculate the annual effective doses. The mean values of the annual effective dose from 210Po and 210Pb for smokers were estimated to be 117.77 μSv/y and 98.97 μSv/y respectively. It can be concluded from the above that smoking cigarettes and absorbing 210Po and 210Pb through the respiratory system are the main sources and the principal pathways through which smokers can receive doses.

Quantifying of highly radioactive and radiotoxic polonium-210 intake from cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.): impacts of different smoking and vaporization techniques.

This study investigates the radiation dose that humans receive from naturally occurring uranium-series radionuclides, with a focus on alpha-emitting polonium-210 (210Po), which has a half-life of 138.4days. Polonium is efficiently absorbed by living organisms and is estimated to contribute approximately 7% of the total effective dose from ingested natural internal radiation. The primary source of atmospheric 210Po is the decay of radon-222 (222Rn), which precipitates onto land and water surfaces, including crops. In Cannabis sativa, 210Po accumulates primarily through direct deposition on leaf surfaces and from fertilizers, particularly phosphate fertilizers. This study examined 10 samples of dried hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) legally available in Poland, assessing 210Po concentrations through radiochemical analysis. Various consumption methods were analyzed, including smoking with a glass pipe, a water pipe (bong), a cigarette (joint or spliff), and vaporization. The desorption of 210Po during combustion and vaporization was measured, revealing significant differences based on the method used. Results showed that smoking with a glass pipe resulted in the highest desorption of 210Po (approximately 80%), while water pipe and blunt smoking exhibited lower desorption rates (around 40%). The efficiency of 210Po adsorption in filters varied, with water filters showing about 8% absorption and cellulose filters about 20%. Vaporization results indicated that the desorption of 210Po increased with temperature. These findings underscore the importance of considering the method of consumption when calculating the radiation dose from 210Po, as the differences can significantly impact the accuracy of dose assessments. The study highlights the need for further research to optimize safety guidelines for cannabis consumption in relation to radioactive contaminants.

A new procedure to validate and optimize 210Po measurements in atmospheric aerosols

The exposure to air fine aerosols can cause health effects due to inhalations of alpha emitters such as 222Rn daughters. Lead-210 and 210Po are mainly associated to aerosols with median aerodynamic diameter lower than 1 μm. The 210Po is characterized by having a high radiotoxicity. The precise measurement of 210Po in surface air aerosols is usually quite complex due to the significant contribution of the 210Pb on their concentrations. Additionally, there is no possible means to manufacture a certified material to validate the measurements of 210Pb and 210Po concentrations in surface air aerosols. For these reasons, this study aims to develop a novel and comprehensive methodology to validate 210Po measurements in surface air aerosols by preparing in our laboratory “standard samples” with known activities of both 210Pb and 210Po. A detailed sensitivity analysis on the precision of 210Po concentration measurements has been carried out as a function of the involved variables such as sampling time, time elapsed between the sampling start and 210Po self-deposition and the 210Po/210Pb activity ratio in surface air aerosols. This study is necessary to find the optimum conditions for a precise measurement of 210Po in surface air aerosols. In addition, this methodology has been applied for the determination of 210Po concentrations in 30 samplings campaigns of atmospheric aerosols carried out at the El Carmen campus (Huelva province) from March 25th to July 15th, 2022. The results obtained for 210Pb and 210Po concentrations and atmospheric aerosol residence times (via 210Po/210Pb activity ratio) were consistent with other previous works.

Characteristics and radiological hazard assessment of 210Po in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Vietnam.

210Po is one of the most toxic natural radionuclides. This isotope's characteristics and radiological hazard assessment have been concerned in different objects. In this study, the 210Po activities were determined in different tilapia organs/parts of 20 sample groups by alpha spectrometry. The 210Po activities in muscle, bone, intestine organs, and stomach contents unevenly distributed with a wide range from 0.5 ± 0.2 to 2.8 ± 0.4 and 1.4 ± 0.2Bq·kg-1 wet.wt on average, from 0.6 ± 0.3 to 6.3 ± 0.7 and 3.5 ± 0.4Bq·kg-1 wet.wt on average, from 46.3 ± 2.9 to 263 ± 9.7 and 115 ± 6Bq·kg-1 wet.wt on average, and 20.9 ± 1.2 to 800 ± 29 and 197 ± 9Bq·kg-1 wet.wt on average, respectively. The average 210Po activities in different parts of tilapia trend in order of CMuscle < CBone < CIntestine < CStomach contents. Insignificant correlations were observed between 210Po activities in tilapia organs with their total fish mass. The result could depend on feeding types, diet, different nutrient levels, metabolism, and excretion of 210Po in different ages. The concentration ratios (CRs) of tilapia muscle and bone organs were recorded with low values, while it was far greater than the CRs for the intestine organ. Annual committed effective doses contributing from 210Po concentration due to tilapia fish consumption were within the allowable limits for muscle and bone organs, while those values for intestine organs were far higher than the allowable limit value (assuming similar amount consumption of 30kg·year-1 for each organ). The Erica tool was used to estimate the dose and risk to tilapia from 210Po exposure. Based on the calculated results, it can be seen that there was insignificant concern for tilapia due to ionizing radiation in the study area.

Assessment of radiation dose due to 210Po in water and food samples of Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka, India.

Groundwater is in direct contact with the soil and rocks that dissolve many compounds and minerals including uranium and its daughter products. 210Po is one of the decay products of 238U series that cause internal radiation dose in humans when consumed in the form of water and food, including sea food. Therefore, activities of 210Po have been studied in ground and surface water, and in food samples that are commonly used in Chamarajanagar region of Karnataka, India. The average 210Po concentration in bore well water samples and surface water samples are 3.21 and 1.85 mBq L-1, respectively. In raw rice and wheat, the average values of 210Po are 96 and 41 mBq kg-1, respectively. In millets and pulses, the average activity of 210Po is 157 and 79 mBq kg-1, respectively. Among food items, the highest activity of 1.3kBqkg-1 is observed in marine crabs and the lowest activity of 2.6 mBq kg-1 is found in milk samples. The average ingestion dose due to 210Po in ground and surface water are 2.8 and 1.62μSv y-1, respectively. The ingestion dose due to various food samples to the population is also calculated. Total ingestion dose due to 210Po to pure vegetarian population and general population are 38.09 and 590.80μSv y-1, respectively. The concentration of 210Po in water samples and food samples of this region are in a comparable range with the world and Indian average values and lies well below the recommended guideline level.

Distribution of 210Po activity and soil texture in agricultural soil.

The assessment of 210Po in agricultural soil matrices in different regions of Kerala and Karnataka was studied. The wet ash method was used to find the activity concentration of 210Po. The alpha activity was counted using a silver-activated zinc sulfide counter of 30% efficiency, and the activity was calculated. The average concentration of 210Po activity in soil samples ranged from 0.09 to 20.52Bqkg-1, with an average value of 4.47Bqkg-1. The soil texture was measured using the International Pipette method. Using the IBM Statistical Package of Social Science Software, the frequency distribution curve of 210Po is plotted and found to be lognormal. The data of 210Po are highly skewed, and the Kurtosis has a significant positive value. The 210Po activity concentrations are substantially within the World Health Organization's recommended limits.

Assessment of radiation dose due to 238U, 226Ra, 222Rn and 210Po in groundwater of Kodagu district, India.

Natural radionuclides are universally spread and can be found in varying levels in rock, soil and water depending on the geology. A potential health threat may be caused by them to humans on consumption of water, food and inhalation of air due to the presence of radionuclides. In the present study, an attempt has been made to study the distribution of 238U, 226Ra, 222Rn and 210Po in groundwater samples of Kodagu district, India. The activity concentrations of 238U, 226Ra, 222Rn and 210Po were found to vary from 0.44 to 8.81μgL-1, 0.71 to 7.66 mBqL-1, 1.54 to 9.61BqL-1 and 0.47 to 4.35 mBqL-1, respectively. The associated dose due to radiation was assessed and was observed to be below the recommended standards. The total effective dose to the population was calculated and was found to be less than the recommended WHO standard of 100mSv.

Characterization of natural radioactivity and relative dose due to consumption of edible bivalves inhabiting the Cochin Backwater Lagoon, Kerala, southwestern coast of India

The study on natural radionuclides in edible bivalves from the Cochin backwater lagoon, Kerala, employing alpha spectrometry, revealed higher concentrations of 210Po and 210Pb compared to 238U and 232Th. The annual committed effective dose (ACED) for the adult coastal population was calculated at a range of 1494.9 to 5783.4 μSv y−1, with 210Po being the predominant contributor, responsible for about 85 % of the dose. This highlighted significant health risks, underscored by a calculated cumulative mortality and morbidity risk range between 5.23 × 10−3 and 2.02 × 10−2. These findings emphasized the need for further research and the development of regulatory measures to mitigate exposure risks.

Assessment of cancer risk and radiological effects from 210Po and 210Pb with consumption of wild medicinal herbal plants

BackgroundPlants' raw materials can accumulate chemical elements, including radioisotopes, to some extent and reflect the region they grow in. Due to their high environmental content and toxicity, natural radionuclides – polonium 210Po and lead 210Pb are the most dangerous radioisotopes for human health. Methods70 raw medicinal herbal materials from 54 popular wild-growing medicinal plant species, most of them included in the European Pharmacopoeia, were collected across three regions. In 210 samples, the activity concentrations of 210Po and 210Pb were determined, and their radiotoxicity and cancer risk were calculated. ResultsThe results of 210Po and 210Pb activities measured in herbal raw material were from 0.12 mBq g−1 dry weight in the fruits of the common chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) to 19.7 mBq g−1 dw in herb of ground elder (Aegopodium podagraria) for 210Po, while for 210Pb ranged from 0.16 mBq g−1 dw to 34.3 mBq g−1 dw in the same plants. There were statistically significant differences between 210Po and 210Pb content in leaves, herbs, flowers, and fruit. The studies indicated that the estimated annual effective radiation dose from Polish medicinal herbs consumption was low, ranging 0.03–105 µSv from 210Po and 0.02–98.2 µSv from 210Pb, while the risk of cancer morbidity and mortality ranged from 10−5 to 10−9. ConclusionsConsumption of the tested medicinal herbs is safe from the radiological point of view and, based on the predictions related to the calculated risk of cancer, should not increase the probability of its occurrence.

Estimation of 210Po and 210Pb and its doses to human beings due to consumption of freshwater species of Ponnusamuthiram Lake, South India

Abstract A systemic study on the natural radionuclides such as 210Po and 210Pb in the environmental matrices and biota of Ponnusamuthiram Lake (Kumarapalayam) has been undertaken to establish a baseline data on the radiation profile of Ponnusamuthiram Lake ecosystem. The environmental samples, such as water, sediment, and biota (Catla catla, Channa punctata, Clarias batrachus, and Oreochromis mossambicus), crustaceans (Macrobrachium rosenbergii and Macrobrachium malcolmsonii), and bivalves (Lamellidens marginalis), have been subjected to analyses. It has been observed that the concentration of 210Po and 210Pb in the water samples of Ponnusamuthiram Lake was 1.95 and 3.70 mBq L−1, respectively. The activity concentration of 210Po and 210Pb in the sediment sample was 65.31 and 21.12 Bq kg−1, respectively. The bivalve mollusc Lamellidens marginalis have been identified to accumulate higher concentrations of 210Po and 210Pb suggesting that they could serve as bioindicators of radionuclides in the Ponnusamuthiram Lake ecosystem. The concentration factor of 210Po for the biotic components ranged from 1.0 × 103 to 3.0 × 105, while for 210Pb, it ranged from 1.0 × 103 to 4.7 × 104. The committed effective dose for human beings was found at 21.74–248.20 and 16.84–118.67 μSv y−1 for 210Po and 210Pb, respectively.

Half-century trends of radioactivity in fish from Danish areas of the North Sea, Kattegat, and Baltic Sea

This work reports comprehensive time-series datasets over the past 50 years for natural (210Po) and anthropogenic (134Cs and 137Cs) radionuclides in three fish species (cod, herring and plaice) from Danish marine areas covering the North Sea, Kattegat, and Baltic Sea. Impact from the global fallout of atmospheric nuclear weapons testing, radioactive discharges from the European nuclear reprocessing plants and release from Chernobyl accident are clearly detected in the fish samples. While 210Po concentrations in each fish species demonstrated comparable levels across the three regions without notable temporal trends, significantly higher median 210Po concentration was observed in the lower trophic level fish, namely herring and plaice, compared to cod. In contrast, 137Cs concentrations in all three species steadily decrease over time after the Chernobyl-attributed peaks in late 1980s in the entire study area, whereas 137Cs always demonstrated higher concentrations in cod than herring and plaice. Our calculated concentration factors (CFs) for 137Cs in this work indicate that the mean CFs for 137Cs over the past 50 years are significantly different across the three species, following the order of cod < herring < plaice. Based on the time-series data, ecological half-lives (Teco) of 137Cs in fish from Danish marine areas were estimated to evaluate the long-term impact of anthropogenic radioactive contamination in different regions. Our results indicate no significant difference in Teco across different fish species, whereas the weighted mean Teco for fish in the Baltic Sea (29.3 ± 3.9 y) is significantly longer than those of the North Sea (9.8 ± 0.9 y) and Kattegat (11.7 ± 1.2 y), reflecting the strong ‘memory effect’ of the Baltic Sea due to its slow water renewal. However, the dose assessment demonstrates that the contribution of the natural radionuclide 210Po to ingestion dose from fish consumption is 1–2 order of magnitude higher compared to that of 137Cs.

210Po and 210Pb radioactivity levels in local and imported tobacco used in Palestine and Jordan.

This study aimed to assess the concentrations of 210Po and 210Pb in various tobacco samples from Palestine and Jordan. Cigarette smoking is recognized as a significant contributor to the radiation dose received by individuals, primarily due to the elevated levels of 210Pb and 210Po found in tobacco. The analysis revealed that the average concentrations of 210Po in locally sourced tobacco and cigarette samples in Palestine are 16.8 ± 2.3mBq/g and 18.5 ± 2.0mBq/g, with a total average of 17.8 ± 7.4mBq/g (15.5mBq/cigarette). Similarly, the average concentrations of 210Pb in these samples are 18.5 ± 2.6mBq/g and 20.3 ± 2.2mBq/g, with a total average of 19.6 ± 8.1mBq/g (17.0mBq/cigarette). In Jordan, the average concentrations of 210Po in cigarette samples and narghile tobacco are 20.1 ± 2.4mBq/g and 18.3 ± 4.1mBq/g, with a total average value of 19.6 ± 9.9mBq/g (18.0mBq/cigarette), while the average concentrations of 210Pb are 22.2 ± 2.6mBq/g and 20.2 ± 4.5mBq/g, with a total average value of 21.6 ± 10.8mBq/g (19.9mBq/cigarette). The annual effective doses resulting from inhalation were calculated for smokers of these samples. The findings revealed that the levels of 210Po and 210Pb radioactivity in certain investigated samples exceeded the results of studies in many countries of the world. The associated effective doses per year from smoking for all brands products in Palestine range from 34.7μSv/y to 186.5μSv/y with an average of 109.5μSv/y, while in Jordan 54.5μSv/y to 289.1μSv/y with an average of 130.9μSv/y.

Assessment of Be-7, Pb-210 and Po-210 Activities in Airborne Particulate Matter Over Istanbul, Türkiye.

Airborne particulate matter is one of the air pollutants which can have detrimental health effects in the human body. Radionuclides adsorb onto air particles and make their way to humans primarily through inhalation. Naturally-occurring radionuclides, 210Pb and 210Po, are of notable health concern due to their relatively elevated ingestion and inhalation doses. In the current study, activity concentrations of 7Be, 210Pb and 210Po were determined in air particulate matter (PM). PM2.5 was collected on the European side, while PM10 was collected on the Anatolian side of Istanbul. Be-7, 210Pb and 210Po activities were found to be 5.17 ± 2.35, 0.96 ± 0.42; 0.25 ± 0.14 mBq m- 3 in Anatolian side, respectively. Be-7, 210Pb and 210Po activities were found to be 3.81 ± 2.27, 0.62 ± 0.29, 0.29 ± 0.26, mBq m- 3 in European side, respectively. The ratio of 210Po/210Pb was found to be higher (0.47 ± 0.31 for PM2.5 and 0.34 ± 0.27 for PM10) than the global average of 0.1. This result can be explained by the fact that Po is more volatile than Pb and enhanced in the air by the combustion process. Inhalation dose rates of 210Pb and 210Po due to PM10 exposure were calculated to be 7.70 ± 3.30 and 4.05 ± 2.31 µSv year- 1, respectively. Pb-210 bioaccessibility was assessed by the extraction of the particles in simulated lung fluids. Approximately 24.8% of inhaled 210Pb was estimated to be bioaccessible. This study suggests that 210Po and 210Pb activities are partially enhanced in the air particles in Istanbul and should be regularly monitored.

Investigating radiation profiles and conducting risk assessment for ecological and environmental components on Vaan and Koswari islands in the Tuticorin group of islands, India.

Natural radioactive concentration assessment was conducted on sediment, water, and biota obtained on Vaan and Koswari islands in the Tuticorin group of islands, Tamil Nadu, India. For biotic and abiotic components, radiation profiles such as gross alpha, beta, primordial radionuclide, polonium, and lead analyses were performed. The gross α and β range from BDL to 15.18 ± 1.7Bq/kg and 40.43 ± 4.9Bq/kg to 105.12 ± 11.7Bq/kg, respectively. Primordial radionuclides were analyzed using Nal(TI)-based scintillator with PC-MCA, and the concentrations ranged from 13.43 ± 3.3Bq/kg to 30.97 ± 9.6Bq/kg with a mean of 21.31 ± 2.7Bq/kg for 238U; for 232Th, the values ranged from 11.09 ± 2.6Bq/kg to 33.55 ± 9.5Bq/kg with an average value of 23.89 ± 3.7Bq/kg; and for 40K, the values are 93.33 ± 27.3Bq/kg to 219.91 ± 39.6Bq/kg with an average value of 148.27 ± 21.7Bq/kg. The present study values are lesser than the world average values. 210Po and 210Pb concentrations with an average value were determined to be 33.13Bq/L and 16.56Bq/L, 47.55Bq/L and 22.37Bq/L in the water sample, and 50.437Bq kg1 and 62.012Bq kg1, 46.99Bq/kg and 58.625Bq/kg in sediments of Vaan island and Koswari island. The concentrations of 210Po and 210Pb of Pogonias cromis were 19.27 ± 1.5Bq/kg and 8.27 ± 1.01Bq/kg, Belonidae 28.54 ± 2.4Bq/kg and 18.32 ± 2.3Bq/kg, Lepisosteidae 18.68 ± 1.4Bq/kg and 11.17 ± 1.8Bq/kg. The committed effective dosage was determined to be 35.74-54.61 µSv/y for 210Po and 25.39-56.25 µSv/y for 210Pb, in which the 210Pb value is lower; however, the 210Po value is higher than the global average value. The annual committed effective dosage as well as the radiological hazard indices were assessed and found to be much below the global average and the recommended limit, respectively. This research provides an extensive analysis of natural background radiation and establishes a baseline report on the radiological profile of biotic and abiotic factors in the Tuticorin group of islands, namely Vaan and Koswari, in Tamil Nadu, India.

Characterizing 226Ra and its daughters in coastal zone groundwater of a typical human-activity affected bay: occurrence, safety, and source evaluation.

Due to their extremely toxic properties, 226Ra and it daughters (222Rn, 210Pb, and 210Po) in drinking groundwater require monitoring. Recent studies have reported exceptionally high levels of natural 210Po (up to 10,000Bq/m3), 226Ra, and 222Rn isotopes in groundwater. This study aims to provide background data on 226Ra and its daughter radionuclides in the typical agricultural-industrial Dongshan Bay (DSB) before the construction of Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant (Zhangzhou NPP). The measurement results indicate that no abnormally high activities of 210Po and 210Pb were detected in the investigated wells. Strong positive correlations between 210Pb and 210Po, as well as between 222Rn and 210Pb activities, suggest that the origins of 210Pb and 210Po in groundwater are strongly influenced by the decay of the parent radionuclides 222Rn and 210Pb, respectively. In the DSB coastal zone groundwater, significant deficiencies of 210Po relative to 210Pb and 210Pb relative to 222Rn were observed, providing further evidence that 210Po and 210Pb are also effectively scavenged due to their geochemical properties (specifically particle affinity) within the groundwater-aquifer system. A systematic comparison among all relevant water bodies in the DSB revealed that the activity concentrations of 210Pb and 210Po in groundwater were the highest, except for rainwater. Based on the evaluation of 210Pb sources, the results imply that submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) is an important pathway for transferring radionuclides (such as 210Pb) from land to the nearshore marine environment, even though the study area has a lower 210Pb background groundwater. By considering all the 210Pb's sources in the DSB, we found low 210Pb background groundwater discharge still needs to be taken into account for small-scale bays. This is because SGD was calculated to be one of the most important 210Pb sources in the bay during observation season. Regardless of whether the system is in a normal state or a nuclear accident emergency state, greater attention should be paid to the groundwater discharge of radionuclides into the ocean.

Factors Contributing to Accumulation of 210Po in Freshwater Fishes in Dong Thai Lake, Vietnam and Radiological Hazard Assessment.

210Po (polonium), one of the most toxic naturally occurring radionuclides, is well-known as a common natural radionuclide in fish species. Human consumption of 210Po-contaminated fish could result in a significant internal dose. This study determined by alpha spectrometry the 210Po activity in sixteen selected fish species with different living behaviors (pelagic, demersal), trophic positions (herbivores, carnivores, omnivorous), and masses in Dong Thai Lake, Hanoi, Vietnam. The min, max, and average of the 210Po concentration of sixteen fish species were 0.80 ± 0.44, 12.7 ± 0.20, and 3.54 ± 0.31Bq kg-1, respectively. Regarding the different living behaviors, trophic positions, and masses, the results showed trending of 210Popelagic > 210Podemersal; 210Poherbivores < 210Pocarnivores < 210Poomnivorous and 210Po<0.2kg > 210Po0.2-1kg > 210Po>1kg, respectively. The 210Po concentrations in muscle tissue were greater in fish species with a small mass, omnivorous trophic position, and pelagic living behavior relative to demersal fish with a larger mass that were herbivores or carnivores. In addition, the results showed an uneven distribution of 210Po activities in atmospheric aerosols, terrestrial soils, surface waters, and lake sediments in the study area. The primary source of 210Po could be supplied from atmospheric aerosols and/or terrestrial soils in the study area. The 210Po annual effective dose for adults due to fish consumption has been calculated with a range from 20 to 400µSv y-1 and 111µSv. y-1 on average, and it is far below the allowable limits of 1000µSv y-1.

Radiotoxic 210Po concentration in the Mediterranean Sea sediment and radiation risk assessment of biota

This research presents the levels and distribution of 210Po in different sediments of the northeastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The 210Po activity concentrations were measured using an alpha spectroscopy system. The activity concentrations of 210Po in the sediment samples were in the range between 20.5 ± 0.7 and 92.8 ± 1.6 Bq kg−1 dw with an average of 48.2 ± 1.4 Bq kg−1 dw. The microorganism-enriched sampling sites (bedrock sites) indicated low 210Po concentration than sandy coastal sites. As a result of these measurements, the RESidual RADioactivity (RESRAD) biota code was applied to calculate the tissue concentration rate (CR), internal dose rate, external dose rate, and total dose rate of the exposed tissues. The total dose rates of aquatic animals were found higher than that of riparian animals. The 210Po sediment resource doses to aquatic and riparian animals were found less than the dose level recommended by International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP).