Effects Of Atomic Radiation Research Articles

Combined effects of atomic radiation and other agents in Hiroshima and Nagasaki and possible application of fuzzy theory

The survivors of atomic bombings and those who visited Hiroshima and Nagasaki immediately after the atomic bombing could have been subjected to many other possible noxious effects in addition to atomic radiation. Various toxic substances must have been released from destroyed hospitals, laboratories, drugstores, storehouses of chemicals and so on. Among the destroyed facilities, a large storage of gasoline for the army transportation and containers of mustard gas for chemical weapons are possibly included. There was no food and the drinking water was contaminated. There would have been various possibilities of infection. It is confusing which factor played a dominant role, but, the authors emphasize that, in addition to ionizing radiation, various other direct and indirect factors such as the noxious factors must be considered instead of ascribing all the effects solely to ionizing radiation.In addition, it is important to consider the uncertainties involved in the above various factors and their combined effects. Under emergency conditions of wartime or accidents, much fuzziness may be added to the randomness. The authors propose a method to analyze the total cause-effect relationships. The method uses a simple model to visualize how the total effect is intuitively derived from various factors with uncertainties.

Study of radon exhalation from soil to ascertain the elevated levels of background radiation of Bangladesh

The outdoor environmental background radiation level in normal area of Bangladesh ranged between 110 and 445 nGy.h1 was observed in a countrywide background radiation survey using P-y radiation survey meter. The United Nation Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) reported to the united Nations General Assembly in its 1988 report that the outdoor country averaged environmental background radiation level in air in 23 countries representing about one half of the world population were found to range between 24 and 85 nGy.h1, with a mean value of 55 nGy.h'1, which is one fourth of the radiation dose Jevel of Bangladesh. In the present study, activity concentration of radium and radon radionuclides was measured in the soil samples of the country and measured their radon emanation coefficient, and radon mass exhalation and radon area exhalation rates with an aim to evaluate the cause of high background radiation level in Bangladesh. The result shows that the concentration of 226 Ra in most of the soil samples was higher than that of world average value, and the concentration of ^Ra, a daughter of U2 Th-series, is more than two times higher than the world average value. The activity of 40K was found higher than both the range and average world value in most of the samples. The results of m Rn emanation coefficients, 222 Rn mass and area exhalation rates are very significant. Values of radon emanation coefficients for the soil samples in a number of locations were found in excess of world average value. The m Rn emanation coefficients was found in the range 3.10 - 44.68%, the mass exhalation rates was found in the range 2.50 - 27.84 uBq.kg'.sec', and the area exhalation rates was found in the range 3.15 - 38.15 mBq.mJ.sec'. Due to high concentrations of radium and potassium in soil and the high radon exhalation rate the external and internal doses are also higher. The total external dose from soil was found higher than the reported results of most of the countries of the World. This result would be helpful to assess the radiation exposure to human, animal and plants, and radiation related cancer risk.

A survey of background radiation dose rates and radioactivity in Tanzania.

Potential terrestrial sources of naturally occurring elevated radiation levels have been identified in Tanzania. Thus, efforts are currently being undertaken to create a natural radiation database, in the form of a radiation level map of natural radioactivity, to be used to assess the associated radiation risk to public and workers. Background radiation dose rate was determined with thermoluminescent dosimeters for 7 y (1993-1999) in five stations. The average background radiation dose rates for these stations were as follows: Tropical Pesticides Research Institute (TPRI) (102 +/- 7 nGy h(-1)), Same (98 +/- 2 nGy h(-1)), Namanga (98 +/- 5 nGy h(-1)), University of Dar Es Salaam (99 +/- 2 nGy h(-1)), and Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center (121 +/- 3 nGy h(-1)). These stations were found convenient from an economic point of view since the project has no funds to cover wider and/or more remote areas in Tanzania. For the sake of comparison, similar measurements were made for the same period at Minjingu phosphate mine. The mine was one of the suspected areas with elevated levels of natural radioactivity. The radiation dose rate measured in this mine was about fourteen times higher (1,415 +/- 28 nGy h(-1)) than the average value obtained in northern Tanzania (98 nGy h(-1)). The high average activity levels of phosphate (5760 +/- 107 Bq kg(-1) for 261Ra, 497 +/- 5 Bq kg(-1) for 228Ra, 350 +/- 6 Bq kg(-1) for 228Th, and 280 +/- 5 Bq kg(-1) for 40K) and radiation dose rate recorded show that Minjingu phosphate mine has higher values than the highest radioactivity in phosphate compiled by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effect of Atomic Radiation. In view of these findings, a comprehensive risk-management strategy for reduction of radiation risk to the public and mine workers should be put in place. Efforts are currently being made to seek support to improve the background radiation database for subsequent assessment of radiation risk to miners and the societies in the vicinity of these mines in Tanzania.

Some Issues with the International Basic Safety Standards: A Time for Reflection.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has statutory functions for the development of radiation safety standards. Its basic safety standards have, for many years, been based on the recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection, taking account of the information on the biological effects of radiation exposure provided by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation. The latest version—the International Basic Safety Standards—was published in its final form in 1996, and, since then the Agency has been assisting with their implementation in a large number of States. The experience gained, combined with a more general reflection on these Standards, has led to the identification of a number of issues that will need to be considered in any future revision. A number of these issues arise largely through an insufficient recognition of the problems associated with turning the principles of protection into regulatory style requirements, which, out of necessity, need to be legally precise, but at the same time, enforceable. Some of these issues are discussed here.

Radiation Exposure and Cancer: Case Study

Received for publication April 27, 2001, and accepted for publica-tion August 29, 2001.Abbreviations: ALARA, as low as reasonably achievable; BEIR,Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation; ICRP, InternationalCommission on Radiation Protection; NCRP, National Council onRadiation Protection and Measurements; UNSCEAR, UnitedNations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation.

The Ionising Radiations Advisory Committee Open Meeting 10 October 2001

The Ionising Radiations Advisory Committee (IRAC) held itsfirst open meeting on 10 October 2001 in response to a request from the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) that all its advisory committees should follow the Commission's example and hold such meetings. Some of the other advisory committees have already held open meetings and others are planning to do so shortly.The aim of the meeting was to enable members of the public to meet IRAC members and to find out more about the Committee - how it worked and the type of issues it dealt with.The first two sessions were devoted to short presentations describing IRAC's work and influences, now and in the future, on radiation protection generally. The third session was a discussion forum. The agenda for the meeting and the presentations are posted on the web at: www.hse.gov.uk/foi/iracopen.htm.Each session of presentations was followed by questions of clarification and the third session of the meeting comprised an open forum. Many of the questions raised were not directly relevant to IRAC but, nevertheless, members provided brief responses and referred questions on to others as appropriate. One question had been notified in advance, asking whether members of IRAC agreed that it is now (regrettably) reasonably foreseeable that a loss of containment of radioactive material may occur at a nuclear facility as a result of impact by an aeroplane or by other hostile acts, and that this should be made clear in published guidance on REPPIR. This question was not within IRAC's remit. The Chairman of the Nuclear Safety Advisory Committee offered to take the question to the Committee's next meeting.Issues discussed included:Concerns that exposure to ionising radiation at low levels is more dangerous than is currently reflected in risk estimates. The European Parliament has adopted a resolution calling on the main international bodies, including the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations Scientific Committee on Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the European Commission, to re-examine the risk model.How to communicate relative risk to the public, to put exposure to radiation in context.Whether there are different thresholds for different types of exposure, which was agreed to be a complicated issue.The new use of x-ray units at docks to screen vehicles for illegal immigrants. This had been the subject of a Home Office consultation exercise, see: www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk.Evaluation of the impact of radiation protection legislation, which provisions had had greatest effect and how areas still needing attention, such as industrial radiography, were being tackled.The perceived complexity of the system for obtaining HSE recognition for RPA bodies. The comments received during the review of the HSE Statement on radiation protection advisers, and HSE's proposed response, would be discussed by an advisory focus group - all the papers for this group are on the Society for Radiological Protection's web-site: www.srp-uk.org.The need for a database showing where to apply for authorisations in other European Union countries.

Long-Term Measurements of Equilibrium Factor and Unattached Fraction of Short-Lived Radon Decay Products in a Dwelling - Comparison with Praddo Model

According to the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR 1993), the dose due to the inhalation of radon decay products represents almost 50% of the total natural radiation dose to the general population. The scientific community is interested in the assessment of the risk induced by domestic radon exposure. The dosimetric models used to estimate the dose are very sensitive to unattached fraction and size distributions, which makes the characterization of the indoor radon decay products aerosol necessary. For this purpose, longterm measurements of unattached fraction (fp ) and equilibrium factor (F) were taken in a dwelling under typical indoor domestic aerosol conditions. An original device consisting of an annular diffusion channel set in parallel with an open filter was developed and calibrated to continuously measure the unattached fraction. Moreover, radon activity concentration and particle concentration were simultaneously monitored. With aged aerosol, particle concentration was found to be very low (between 500 and 5000 cm-3), radon activity concentration ranged from 240 to 2800 Bq m-3, and the mean values of fp and F were, respectively, 0.31 (0.08-0.67) and 0.16 (0.04-0.45). With aerosol sources, the high increase in particle concentration led to a negligible unattached fraction and raised the equilibrium factor. A correlation relationship was determined between these two parameters under different aerosol conditions. Finally,our experimental results were compared to results obtained with the PRADDO model; this comparison showed a good agreement between these two different approaches.

Long-Term Measurements of Equilibrium Factor and Unattached Fraction of Short-Lived Radon Decay Products in a Dwelling - Comparison with Praddo Model

According to the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR 1993), the dose due to the inhalation of radon decay products represents almost 50% of the total natural radiation dose to the general population. The scientific community is interested in the assessment of the risk induced by domestic radon exposure. The dosimetric models used to estimate the dose are very sensitive to unattached fraction and size distributions, which makes the characterization of the indoor radon decay products aerosol necessary. For this purpose, longterm measurements of unattached fraction (fp ) and equilibrium factor (F) were taken in a dwelling under typical indoor domestic aerosol conditions. An original device consisting of an annular diffusion channel set in parallel with an open filter was developed and calibrated to continuously measure the unattached fraction. Moreover, radon activity concentration and particle concentration were simultaneously monitored. With aged aerosol, particl...

Prediction of 137Cs deposition from atmospheric nuclear weapons tests within the Arctic

A method of predicting the spatial distribution of 137Cs deposition in fallout in the Arctic from atmospheric nuclear weapons testing, developed during the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP), is described. The method uses a relationship between deposition and precipitation at Tromsø (Norway) calculated for each year since 1955, which is spread over the Arctic using a global precipitation data set within a geographical information system. The advantages of this approach include the ability to cover the whole Arctic area and to predict 137Cs deposition, either integrated or decay corrected (cumulative), for any 0.5×0.5° unit for any year. For land north of 60°N, the areas with the lowest estimated ground 137Cs deposition from nuclear weapons testing are the Russian far north east, north Greenland and northern Canada. The highest estimated ground deposition occurred in the coastal areas of Alaska, the southern tip of Greenland, western Canada, Iceland and the western coast of Norway. Predicted differences in the spatial distribution of global fallout are generally consistent with the trends observed by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) and with reported measurements in the region above 60°N. A comparison of the predicted cumulative 137Cs deposition with measured values gave a significant correlation ( p<0.001). However, the current predicted deposition would probably underestimate global fallout deposition in areas receiving little precipitation and areas close to the test site.

Effects of Atomic Radiation: A Half Century of Studies from Hiroshima and Nagasaki. William J. Schull

Previous articleNext article No AccessBook ReviewsEffects of Atomic Radiation: A Half Century of Studies from Hiroshima and Nagasaki. William J. Schull Gilbert WhittemoreGilbert Whittemore Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by Isis Volume 89, Number 1Mar., 1998 Publication of the History of Science Society Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/383976 Views: 2Total views on this site Copyright 1998 History of Science Society, Inc.PDF download Crossref reports no articles citing this article.

Standards and Laws for Indoor Air Quality in Russia

The air quality of indoor air in Russia, including the special problems of air quality with regard to radioactive contamination, is determined by a number of statutes, standards and regulations. All these are based on the biological principles that the maximum allowable concentrations of pollutants (MAC) and the prescribed radioactive safety dose limits should not be exceeded. The standards cover the air in the working zones of all ministries and departments, and are for trade unions, public and cooperative organisations and founda tions. The basic Russian law for air quality is 'The Law on Environmental Nature Protection' (19.2.1991) which assures the right to health protection from adverse environmental effects. In the field of radioactive safety 'The Federal Law on Radioactive Safety' (9.1.1996) is the primary law and in accor dance with it, every citizen living in Russia has the right to protection for the present and future generations from health-related deleterious effects of atomic radiation. The laws on air quality are part of the Russian Federation legal system and are secured in the Constitution. The air quality must be con trolled by the Goscomgidromet and the Sunepidnadzor of Russia. In com pliance with these laws everybody has the right to a favourable environment and the duty to protect, preserve and maintain it. The air environment is unique and common to all, thus economic cooperation dictates that a dedi cated approach to air quality and air quality regulations would be the most appropriate way to preserve it. It appears judicious to join forces in the name of European ecological safety. To do this, it is necessary to combine the nation al means and secure international collaboration in the field of environmental protection.

Dosimetry for occupational exposure to cosmic radiation.

In the course of their work, aircraft crew and frequent flyers are exposed to elevated levels of cosmic radiation of galactic and solar origin and secondary radiation produced in the atmosphere, aircraft structure, etc. This has been recognised for some time and estimates of the exposure of aircraft crew have been made previously and included in, for example, UNSCEAR (United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation) publications. The recent increased interest has been brought about by several factors--the consideration that the relative biological effectiveness of the neutron component as being underestimated; the trend towards higher cruising altitudes for subsonic commercial aircraft and business jet aircraft; and, most importantly, the recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) in Publication 60, and the revision of the Euratom Basic Safety Standards Directive (BSS). In 1992, the European Dosimetry Group (EURADOS) established a Working Group to consider the exposure to cosmic radiation of aircraft crew, and the scientific and technical problems associated with radiation protection dosimetry for this occupational group. The Working Group was composed of fifteen scientists (plus a corresponding member) involved in this field of study and with knowledge of radiation measurement at aviation altitudes. This paper is based on the findings of this Working Group. Where arrangements are made to take account of the exposure of aircraft crew to cosmic radiation, dose estimation procedures will not be necessary for persons for whom total annual doses are not liable to exceed 1 mSv, and therefore, in general, for crew on aircraft not routinely flying above 8 km. Where estimates of effective dose and, in the case of female staff who are pregnant, equivalent dose to the embryo or fetus, are required (for regulatory or other purposes), it was concluded that the preferred procedure was to determine route doses and fold these with data on staff rostering.

Effects of Atomic Radiation: A Half-Century of Studies From Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Out of the disaster of humankind's first encounter with an atomic attack, a monumental surveillance has been undertaken by physicians and scientists of Japan and the United States to unravel the delayed effects of atomic radiation, as told in this invaluable compedium by William J. Schull, a geneticist and a veteran of the investigations. Discussions of the radiobiological basis of the principal studies also serve to make the text an authoritative desk-side handbook on ionizing radiation and health. The instant destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the atomic bombs that were detonated in the skies above the cities wreaked unprecedented devastation: the dissolution of families and communities in the blast and the thermal and nuclear radiation of a single atomic bomb. In the immediate aftermath, physicians, who were survivors themselves, followed by teams of specialists from medical centers throughout Japan, began to document the atomic bombs' effects. Several weeks later

Effects of atomic radiation: a half-century of studies from Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Effects of atomic radiation: a half-century of studies from Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Evaluation of the Neshap Radiological Risk Assessment

The Environmental Protection Agency performed a risk assessment as a basis for the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants. This paper compares the Environmental Protection Agency's risk assessment with the models used by the National Research Council's fifth Committee on the Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiations, the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, and the International Commission on Radiological Protection. Comparison of the parameters used by each organization suggests that the Environmental Protection Agency could improve its own risk assessment by adopting one of the assessments done by the BEIR V Committee, the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, and the International Commission on Radiological Protection.

Effects of Atomic Radiation: A Half-Century of Studies from Hiroshima and Nagasaki (review)

Effects of Atomic Radiation: A Half-Century of Studies from Hiroshima and Nagasaki (review)

Reviews and Notes: Nuclear Medicine: Effects of Atomic Radiation

Reviews and Notes: Nuclear Medicine: Effects of Atomic Radiation

Effects of Atomic Radiation: 50 Years after Hiroshima and Nagasaki

HomeRadiologyVol. 200, No. 1 PreviousNext ReviewsEffects of Atomic Radiation: 50 Years after Hiroshima and NagasakiHarry J. GriffithsHarry J. GriffithsHarry J. GriffithsPublished Online:Jul 1 1996https://doi.org/10.1148/radiology.200.1.164MoreSectionsPDF ToolsImage ViewerAdd to favoritesCiteTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked In Article HistoryPublished in print: July 1996 FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsRecommended Articles RSNA Education Exhibits RSNA Case Collection Vol. 200, No. 1 Metrics Altmetric Score PDF download

Technologically enhanced radioactivity: An overview

Man first increased his radiation exposure above the natural baseline when he began cave-dwelling and mining and working metals and minerals. Since then the understanding of technologically enhanced radioactivity and of the associated exposure pathways has increased to the present state which is described by UNSCEAR (1993, Sources and effects of ionizing radiation, UN Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, Report to the General Assembly, UN, New York) as ‘sketchy’ and ‘not sufficient to enable reliable estimates’. This review of present-day knowledge suggests that many non-nuclear industries are indeed capable of generating significant critical group or collective exposures or both. Doses can be delivered to workers and to populations living in the vicinity of industrial sites. Notable amongst these types of industry are the phosphate-processing industries (fertilizers, detergents, chemicals), fossil-fuel burning, oil and gas extraction, mining of almost all kinds, ore and heavy mineral processing and the forest industries, such as pulp making and biofuel use. There is a growing awareness of the problem but a two-tier system of radiation protection and discharge control is liable to continue, particularly in developing countries, with an imbalance in the understanding and limitation of radioactivity emissions from non-nuclear versus nuclear industries and also in radiological protection of workers. This review, covering historical and current aspects, suggests that there is a need for further study of technological enhancement of radioactivity and that the first international conference dedicated to the subject is extremely worthwhile and should become the first landmark meeting in a long and important series.

Effects of Atomic Radiation

Effects of Atomic Radiation