Radioactive Area Research Articles

Intratumoral Distribution of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 Over Time and in Relation to Diagnostic Tracers in Animal Models of Prostate Cancer.

Introduction: Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a target for diagnostic positron emission tomography (PET)-tracers and radiopharmaceutical therapy (RPT), for example, [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617, in prostate cancer. This autoradiography study investigates [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 intratumoral distribution over time, compared with PSMA expression, proliferation (Ki67), and [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11, [18F]F-PSMA-1007, [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose, and [18F]-fluorocholine distribution. Mice with LNCaP, 22Rv1, or PC-3 PIP xenografts got [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 i.v. Sacrificed 1 h p.i. if coinjected with diagnostic tracers, otherwise at 20 min, 1-2, 12, 24, 48, 72 h, or 2-3 weeks p.i. Cryosectioned tumors imaged by autoradiography, adjacent sections Ki67 or PSMA stained. Results: Heterogeneous distribution of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 was seen 20 min p.i., with visible overlap between tumor cells, Ki67, PSMA, and radioactivity at 1-2 h p.i. Strongest Ki67-correlation at 48 h, which became negative at 72 h and beyond with some Ki67+/PSMA+ low radioactivity areas. Uptake in necrotic tissue was only observed at 2-3 weeks p.i. PSMA-targeted tracers distributed identically to [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 whereas other tracers only had some overlap. Conclusion: Regrowth of the tumor post-[177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 administration creates Ki67+/PSMA+ areas that have no radioactivity uptake and need additional therapy fractions. The identical intratumoral distribution of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 and PSMA-targeted PET-tracers indicate that these will reveal the areas inside the tumor targeted by RPT at least at 1 h p.i.

Radiating Encouragement: Further Investigation Into the Application of Gamma Ray Spectroscopy for Archaeological Prospection at the Roman Town of Silchester

ABSTRACTThis study builds on a preliminary investigation into the efficacy of gamma radiation surveying as a complementary tool for archaeological prospection. Improved surveying and data processing methods were implemented, including the use of a vehicle‐mounted Groundhog surveying system, use of alternative software tools and examination of the impacts of individual radionuclides. The study focuses on a range of targets within Insulae VII, XXXV and XXXIII in Silchester Roman town, Hampshire. Targets of interest included a polygonal temple, a house, ditches (including an Iron Age defensive ditch) and several Roman roads. While the survey revealed no measurable differences in the gamma radionuclide content of less substantial structures (such as the temple and house) and the surrounding soil, it successfully delineated major structures. The Roman roads, Iron Age defensive ditch and potentially an indication of a historic field boundary not present in modern records were clearly visible in the generated visualisations. The roads and field boundary appear as distinct linear features of depleted radioactivity. The location of the Iron Age ditch correlates with an area of elevated radioactivity. Notably, the technique not only successfully identified archaeological features but was also able to indicate differences in the properties of similar targets such as variations in road thickness. Further, the gamma radiation data indicates variations in the local geology attributable to historic changes in land use and geochemical composition. This latest study corroborates the findings of the preliminary investigation, demonstrating replicability, scalability and ability to enhance output data quality. Further research, including sampling and non‐destructive analysis of materials from the site, is needed to better explain observed results.

Continuous observations from horizontally pointing lidar, weather parameters and PM2.5: a pre-deployment assessment for monitoring radioactive dust in Fukushima, Japan

Abstract. A horizontally pointing lidar is planned for deployment with other instruments in Fukushima, Japan, to continuously monitor and characterize the optical properties of radioactive aerosols and dust in an uninhabited area. Prior to installation, the performance of the lidar is tested at Chiba University. Data from the continuous operation of the lidar from August 2021 to February 2022 are analyzed for extinction and volume linear depolarization ratio. These are compared with the weather sensor and particulate matter (PM2.5) measurements to quantify the relationships between atmospheric conditions and optical properties of near-ground aerosols. The results show that the lidar data's extinction coefficient and depolarization ratio can have a quantifiable relationship with relative humidity (RH), absolute humidity, rain rate, wind speed, wind direction and PM2.5 concentration. Analysis of the 7-month data shows that the optical properties of aerosol and dust depend on the combined effects of the weather parameters. An increase in RH or PM2.5 concentration does not imply an increase in radioactive aerosols. The average extinction coefficient and depolarization ratio of aerosols and dust, originating from the land and ocean, show different values and opposing trends, which can aid in determining the occurrence of ground-based radioactive dust and aerosols. The information obtained from analyzing the inter-relationship among lidar, weather parameters and PM2.5 concentration is essential in assessing the occurrence of radioactive aerosols and characterizing local aerosol–weather relationships in a radioactive area. This result provides essential information in describing radioactive aerosols in Fukushima.

AAPM Medical Physics Practice Guideline 14.a: Yttrium-90 microsphere radioembolization.

Radioembolization using Yttrium-90 (90 Y) microspheres is widely used to treat primary and metastatic liver tumors. The present work provides minimum practice guidelines for establishing and supporting such a program. Medical physicists play a key role in patient and staff safety during these procedures. Products currently available are identified and their properties and suppliers summarized. Appropriateness for use is the domain of the treating physician. Patient work up starts with pre-treatment imaging. First, a mapping study using Technetium-99m (Tc-99m ) is carried out to quantify the lung shunt fraction (LSF) and to characterize the vascular supply of the liver. An MRI, CT, or a PET-CT scan is used to obtain information on the tumor burden. The tumor volume, LSF, tumor histology, and other pertinent patient characteristics are used to decide the type and quantity of 90 Y to be ordered. On the day of treatment, the appropriate dose is assayed using a dose calibrator with a calibration traceable to a national standard. In the treatment suite, the care team led by an interventional radiologist delivers the dose using real-time image guidance. The treatment suite is posted as a radioactive area during the procedure and staff wear radiation dosimeters. The treatment room, patient, and staff are surveyed post-procedure. The dose delivered to the patient is determined from the ratio of pre-treatment and residual waste exposure rate measurements. Establishing such a treatment modality is a major undertaking requiring an institutional radioactive materials license amendment complying with appropriate federal and state radiation regulations and appropriate staff training commensurate with their respective role and function in the planning and delivery of the procedure. Training, documentation, and areas for potential failure modes are identified and guidance is provided to ameliorate them.

Radiation Pollution Hazard Indices in Hospitals of Hilla City/Iraq

Background
 High radiation is a double-edged sword, may be a treatment for some diseases also it may be dangerous when exposed to it in large doses for long periods of time, hospitals are a good example of this, hospitals are cure for patients and at the same time its considered a disease for their workers. 
 Materials and Methods:
 Giger-Muller instrument counter was used to calculate the level of radioactivity emanating from three hospitals in Babel / Al-Hillah. Radioactivity was measured in different areas of each hospital, especially the X-ray departments, accelerators and CT-scan room.
 Results:
 The result is that the data we obtained were within the permissible exposure levels. Determine the most radioactive areas in the study area, the highest value was recorded in (0.90 mSv) in X-ray device in Hilla Surgical Hospital and the lowest dose was (0.015 mSv) in the X-ray device in Imam Al-Sadiq Hospital.
 Conclusion:
 Several samples investigated were less than the safe limits recommended by WHO in some respects.

Examining the residual radiological footprint of a former colliery: An industrial nuclear archaeology investigation

Nuclear industrial archaeology utilises radiation mapping and characterisation technologies to gain an insight into the radiological footprint of industrial heritage sites. Increased concentrations of naturally occurring radioactive materials at legacy mine sites are the result of elemental enrichment during coal mining and subsequent combustion. Public safety is of concern around these sites, and therefore, an increased understanding of their associated hazard is essential. Using coincident laser scanning and gamma detection technologies, this study sought to assess the radiological legacy of a coal mine located in Bristol, UK. From this, we can increase our understanding of the residual footprints associated with the local coal mining industry. Samples taken from inside the site were characterised using high resolution gamma spectrometry, wherein the radionuclide content and activities of samples were then quantified. An area of elevated low-level radioactivity was observed at and around buildings believed to belong to the colliery, while Th, U, and K are confirmed at the site from photopeak's of daughter radionuclides. Activities of the radionuclides K-40, U-238, and Th-232 were further quantified during subsequent laboratory analysis. Results highlight an enrichment of naturally occurring radionuclides when compared with global averages for unburned coal. Employing these techniques at further legacy sites would enable an increased understanding of the lasting traces of the coal mining industry, with a focus on NORM enrichment in residual fly ash.

3D-OSEM versus FORE + OSEM: Optimal Reconstruction Algorithm for FDG PET with a Short Acquisition Time.

Objective In this study, we investigated the optimal reconstruction algorithm in fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) with a short acquisition time. Materials and Methods In the phantom study, six spheres filled with FDG solution (sphere size: 6.23-37 mm; radioactivity ratio of spheres to background = 8:1) and placed in a National Electrical Manufacturers Association phantom were evaluated. Image acquisition time was 15 to 180 seconds, and the obtained image data were reconstructed using each of the Fourier rebinning (FORE) + ordered subsets expectation-maximization (OSEM) and 3D-OSEM algorithms. In the clinical study, mid-abdominal images of 19 patients were evaluated using regions of interest placed on areas of low, intermediate, and high radioactivity. All obtained images were investigated visually, and quantitatively using maximum standardized uptake value (SUV) and coefficient of variation (CV). Results In the phantom study, FORE + OSEM images with a short acquisition time had large CVs (poor image quality) but comparatively constant maximum SUVs. 3D-OSEM images showed comparatively constant CVs (good image quality) but significantly low maximum SUVs. The results of visual evaluation were well correlated with those of quantitative evaluation. Small spheres were obscured on 3D-OSEM images with short acquisition time, but image quality was not greatly deteriorated. The clinical and phantom studies yielded similar results. Conclusion FDG PET images with a short acquisition time reconstructed by FORE + OSEM showed poorer image quality than by 3D-OSEM. However, images obtained with a short acquisition time and reconstructed with FORE + OSEM showed clearer FDG uptake and more useful than 3D-OSEM in the light of the detection of lesions.

Analysis of the cancer occurrence related to natural radioactivity in the Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil.

The state of Rio Grande do Norte, located in the Northeast region of Brazil, has areas of granites and pegmatites with minerals that have varying concentrations of uranium. Consequently, high concentrations of radon gas, a carcinogenic substance for humans, can occur. The present study aimed to assess the occurrence of cancer and its association with exposure to sources of natural radioactivity using geological and geophysical information in the aforementioned state. The spatial dependence of pulmonary, breast, stomach, leukemia, and skin cancer cases with the location of radioisotope sources were analyzed using geoprocessing tools. The geoprocessing analysis showed a differential pattern of uranium emission throughout the state, with the highest emission from areas with pegmatites outcrops. A spatial dependency of cancer cases was shown (Moran index: 0.43; p < 0.01). Moreover, a higher rate of natural radioactivity-cancer cases was associated with the high-intensity natural radioactivity areas: odds ratio:1.21 (95% CI 1.20; 1.23), following the same pattern when separately compared the different related types of cancer. These results highlight the importance of natural radioactivity as a public health problem in the Brazilian environmental scenario, confirming the need for further studies as the first toward understanding and implementing health management strategies mitigating the exposures, especially in areas of environmental risk.

Cancer mortality in Guarapari, Espiríto Santo State, Brazil, with areas of high natural radioactivity.

Guarapari, a municipality of the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil, reported higher mortality rates for the most common cancers from 1996 to 2000. This municipality has beaches with high natural radioactivity. To verify whether this excessive cancer mortality rate still exist in Guarapari, mortality rates for all causes, cancers, and the most prevalent cancers in this municipality were studied from 2000 to 2018 and compared with those observed in the state. Data on all-cause mortality, all-cancer mortality, and mortality from cancer of the esophagus, stomach, larynx, trachea, bronchi and lung, prostate, breast, and leukemias were collected in Brazilian Health Informatics Department (DATASUS) from 2000 to 2018. Mortality rates were calculated by direct method. Standardized age-adjusted rates (SAAR) were calculated based on standard of the World Health Organization (WHO) world population. Crude mortality rates were calculated for each municipality and SAAR for the state and nine municipalities where natural radioactivity was evaluated. Mortality rates from all causes, all cancers, and different cancers observed in Guarapari did not differ significantly from those observed in the state or municipalities with more than 100,000 inhabitants. Radioactivity levels and mortality rates showed no correlation in nine municipalities where natural radioactivity was known. In conclusion, results showed that mortality from cancer and all causes in Guarapari did not differ from those observed in the state and that there was no correlation between the levels of natural radioactivity and mortality from cancer in areas where natural radioactivity was evaluated.

NiTi shape memory alloy pipe couplers for ultra-high vacuum systems: development and implementation

Novel Nickel–Titanium (NiTi)-based shape memory alloy (SMA) pipe couplers were designed and developed. They are suitable for room-temperature ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) systems and provide a quick and compact solution at reasonable cost. Their use is particularly interesting for restricted-access areas of particle accelerators as their installation/dismounting can be performed remotely by temperature variations. A NiTi SMA with suitable composition was selected. NiTi couplers with different diameters in the range 30–135 mm were manufactured and thermo-mechanically trained to exhibit a proper two-way shape memory behaviour which comply with the strict operative constraints for coupling applications in room temperature vacuum sectors. The connectors are easily implementable as they were designed to be compatible with commercially available flanges (DN16, DN25, DN100) used worldwide in vacuum systems. The effect of the SMA joint geometry on the thermo-mechanical response and vacuum performance was investigated by numerical studies and experimental analyses such as strain-gauge, extensometer and leak-tightness tests performed under different operating conditions including static axial loads and multiple thermal cycles. It was demonstrated that NiTi-based connectors can be thermally mounted upon heating and can guarantee the leak tightness of the vacuum pipe within a suitable temperature window. The thermal dismounting was also verified by cooling the couplers down to subzero temperatures (lower than −40 °C). Possible use of these connections at European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) is foreseen in vacuum assemblies installed in high radioactive areas, like those nearby particle collision points and beam collimators. Thanks to their compactness, SMA couplers are also of great interest for connecting beam pipes with small aperture such as those studied for the electron–positron future circular collider (FCC-ee) and next-generation synchrotron light facilities.

Radiation-induced effects on bone marrow of bank voles inhabiting the Chornobyl exclusion zone

Purpose To investigate the effects of chronic exposure to low-dose radiation on bone marrow hematopoiesis of bank voles inhabiting the radioactively contaminated territory of the Chornobyl exclusion zone. Materials and methods Animals were collected within the highly radioactive area of the so-called Red Forest located close to the destroyed 4th reactor of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Radioecological investigations included evaluation of radiocontamination of soil samples by 90Sr and 137Cs, levels of incorporated radionuclides in animals’ bodies and organs, as well as the absorbed dose rates. The study of peripheral blood and bone marrow parameters combined with cytogenetic analysis of bone marrow micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes and standard metaphase test was carried out. Results The blood system of the exposed animals manifested significant changes in peripheral blood parameters (anaemia and leucocyte formula left shift), ineffective differentiation and maturation of bone marrow cells, particularly relevant to the erythroid and granulocyte pools. Increased yields of bone marrow micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes and chromosomal aberrations, including dicentrics and Robertsonian fusion-like configurations, were revealed. Conclusions Observed disturbances in the bone marrow and peripheral blood suggest functional instability and inefficient compensatory and recovery reactions of the blood system of the bank voles from the contaminated areas of the Chornobyl exclusion zone. We assume that they are the consequences both of direct radiation exposure and hereditary pathological changes that have formed in a number of generations inhabiting radioactively contaminated areas.

Sorting operation method of manipulator based on deep reinforcement learning

Radioactive waste sorting often faces an unstructured and locally radioactive working environment. At present, remote operation sorting has problems such as low sorting efficiency, greater difficulty in operation, longer training periods for personnel, and poor autonomous control capabilities. Based on the premise of improving the adaptability and autonomous operation ability of robots in an unstructured environment, this paper uses the dual deep Q learning algorithm to optimize the classic deep Q learning algorithm to improve training speed and improve sorting efficiency and stability. Secondly, the sorting algorithm model of deep reinforcement learning is used to determine the optimal behavior in this state. Set up multiple sets of simulations and physical experiments to verify the sorting method. The results show that the robotic arm can autonomously complete sorting tasks under complex conditions and can significantly improve work efficiency when pushing and grasping collaborative operations and will preferentially grasp objects with high radioactivity in the radioactive area. The algorithm has migration ability and good generalization.

Assessment of radiological hazards from soil samples in the Northeastern area of Burkina Faso

The activity concentrations of main naturally occurring radionuclides were determined with the aim of assessing the radiation hazards in the Northeastern part of Burkina Faso. Soil samples were taken and analyzed by the gamma-ray spectrometry method. The ranges of specific activity of 238U, 232Th and40K are 15.25 pm 2.59 , text{Bq} cdot {text{kg}^{-1}} to 109.57 pm 3.21 , text{Bq} cdot {text{kg}^{-1}}, 19.56 pm 1.65 , text{Bq} cdot {text{kg}^{-1}} to 44.88 pm 2.49 text{Bq} cdot {text{kg}^{-1}} and 125.74 pm 4.40 , text{Bq} cdot {text{kg}^{-1}} to 705.85 pm 10.79 , text{Bq} cdot {text{kg}^{-1}} respectively. Three high background radioactivity areas have been identified for Uranium, Thorium and Potassium on different places in the study area. The radiological hazards indices vary from 62.87 , text{Bq} cdot {text{kg}^{-1}} to 189.47 , text{Bq} cdot {text{kg}^{-1}} for the Radium equivalent activity (Ra_{eq}), 29.5 , eta text{Gy} cdot {text{h}^{-1}} to 86.65 , eta text{Gy} cdot {text{h}^{-1}} for the absorbed dose rate (D_R), 0.18 , text{mSv} cdot {text{y}^{-1}} to 0.53 , text{mSv} cdot {text{y}^{-1}} for the annual effective dose rate (AEDE), 0.21 to 0.81 for the internal hazard index (H_{in}), 0.17 to 0.51 for the external hazard index (H_{ex}), 1.27 times 10^{-4} to 3.73 times 10^{-4} for the Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR) and 209.01{mkern 1mu} mu , 0.18{mkern 1mu} Sv cdot y^{{ - 1}} to 594.21 , mu text{Sv} cdot {text{y}^{-1}} for the annual gonadal dose equivalent. The average values of indices are well below their permissible limit. However, at Niapsi the obtained values for absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose rate and excess lifetime cancer risk are little above their permissible limit.

3-D gamma dose rate reconstruction for a radioactive waste processing facility using sparse and arbitrarily-positioned measurements

The detailed 3-D dose rate field is important for optimizing radiation protection and planning the work in the radioactive area. However, in the presence of sparse and irregularly-positioned measurements, the current reconstruction method may not be available for obtaining a 3-D field, because they are focused on 2-D dose rates and they work with only measurement on regular grids. In this work, a novel method is proposed that can reconstruct a 3-D gamma dose rate field using sparse and arbitrarily-positioned measurements. This method is based on the modified Cahn-Hilliard equation, which recovers the missing information by promoting the continuity of the reconstructed field. To better recover the local details, the 3-D curvature function is incorporated into the modified Cahn-Hilliard equation. A numerical scheme is also introduced for solving the proposed method. This method is validated against two Monte Carlo simulations and the 1-D real measurement of a radioactive waste processing facility. The two simulations corresponds to the cases with and without shielding. The proposed method is applied to random and equispaced data. For the two simulation cases, the proposed methods can reconstruct the 3-D dose rate field using less than 4.2% data and achieve low error levels of 5.81%-10.03%. For the 1-D real measurements, the reconstructed profile is closer to the measurements than the Monte Carlo simulation, which the minimal error is below 2.1%.

Design and behaviour of the Large Hadron Collider external beam dumps capable of receiving 539 MJ/dump

Two 6 t beam dumps, made of a graphite core encapsulated in a stainless steel vessel, are used to absorb the energy of the two Large Hadron Collider (LHC) intense proton beams during operation of the accelerator. Operational issues started to appear in 2015 during LHC Run 2 (2014–2018) as a consequence of the progressive increase of the LHC beam kinetic energy, necessitating technical interventions in the highly radioactive areas around the dumps. Nitrogen gas leaks appeared after highly energetic beam impacts and instrumentation measurements indicated an initially unforeseen movement of the dumps. A computer modelling analysis campaign was launched to understand the origin of these issues, including both Monte Carlo simulations to model the proton beam interaction as well as advanced thermo-mechanical analyses. The main findings were that the amount of instantaneous energy deposited in the dump vessel leads to a strong dynamic response of the whole dump and high accelerations (above 200 g). Based on these findings, an upgraded design, including a new support system and beam windows, was implemented to ensure the dumps' compatibility with the more intense beams foreseen during LHC Run 3 (2022–2025) of 539 MJ per beam. In this paper an integral overview of the operational behaviour of the dumps and the upgraded configurations are discussed.

The Biology of Chernobyl

Environmental disasters offer the unique opportunity for landscape-scale ecological and evolutionary studies that are not possible in the laboratory or small experimental plots. The nuclear accident at Chernobyl (1986) allows for rigorous analyses of radiation effects on individuals and populations at an ecosystem scale. Here, the current state of knowledge related to populations within the Chernobyl region of Ukraine and Belarus following the largest civil nuclear accident in history is reviewed. There is now a significant literature that provides contrasting and occasionally conflicting views of the state of animals and how they are affected by this mutagenic stressor. Studies of genetic and physiological effects have largely suggested significant injuries to individuals inhabiting the more radioactive areas of the Chernobyl region. Most population censuses for most species suggest that abundances are reduced in the more radioactive areas.

3D position and radioactivity estimation of radiation source by a simple directional radiation detector combined with structure from motion

It is important to visualize radioactive substances' position and distribution and estimate their radioactivity levels to reduce the exposure dose of workers in radioactive areas (such as decommissioning worksites of nuclear power stations) and improve nuclear security functions. To visualize the radioactive substance's three-dimensional (3D) location, a directional radiation detector with a cylindrical shield on a simple single-pixel gamma-ray detector was applied to the structure from motion (SfM) technology using an ordinary digital camera. Verification was performed by a system that combines SfM with a CdTe sensor probe having narrow directivity. 241Am radiation source's position was visualized by drawing the radiation source's image acquired by the gamma-ray detector on the work area 3D model reconstructed through SfM. Furthermore, as SfM is a simultaneous localization and mapping technology, the system measures the gamma rays while measuring the gamma-ray detector's dynamic position and posture information. The measurements can be acquired while the gamma-ray detector is freely moving in the work area. These methods visualized the radiation source's position and quantitatively estimated the radiation source's radioactivity.

L-Band Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Tooth Dosimetry Applied to Affected Cattle Teeth in Fukushima

We applied a non-destructive tooth dosimetry technique using L-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) to assess radiation doses in cattle due to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS) accident, which occurred 10 years ago. The radiation exposure of cattle in the area affected by the FDNPS accident was estimated retrospectively with X-band and L-band EPR devices. Characteristic radiation-induced EPR signals were obtained from the teeth of the cattle in Fukushima, confirming their exposure. The estimated doses to the teeth were found to be consistent with the dose trends estimated for individual cows, while considerable uncertainties were seen in the doses of some tooth samples. This variation might be due to errors in the accuracy of the method but also might reflect the actual exposure because the cattle may have been exposed to higher areas of radioactivity in their quest for food and/or due to irradiation from absorption of the isotopes with localization in or near the teeth. However, at a minimum, these results confirm that L-band EPR can be used for non-destructive qualitative assessment of radiation exposure to animals using their teeth, which could be very valuable. Possible causes of the uncertainties should be investigated to enhance the value of the use of this technique.

“Spitting as traditional medicine” – why alpha-emitting nanoparticulates make spitting an unfortunate but significant contribution to health

Spitting is a human reflex as old as civilization, related, mainly, as is shown, to the evacuation of internal contamination with alpha-emitting nanoparticulates, a contamination with many causes, from car fumes and industrial smokes, coal ashes and cement, radon, phosphated fertilizers, to depleted uranium weapons and natural dust and tap water in areas of high natural radioactivity, as well as cigarettes, for the main sources. Strong levels of coal ash pollution together with high natural radioactivity explain for instance the spitting “custom” in Chinese streets, together with long distances between workplace and home, widespread cigarette use, and lack of public toilets. Alphaemitting nanoparticulates become a part of the digestion cycle in meat-eaters, but not without collateral damage.

Heavy metals accumulation and translocation in native plants grown on tailing dumps and human health risk

The heavy metal concentration in plant tissues of Ranunculus ficaria, Plantago major, Taraxacum officinale, and Achillea millefolium, frequently consumed or used in traditional medicine, collected from one of radioactive area of Romania, not been previously reported by any research group. The content of Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb were determined by ICP-MS. To evaluate the level of pollution, the plants are examined to determine the EDI, HRI and TTHQ values, to reach a judgment about whether their consumption is risky or not in terms of human health. The high amounts of Cd, Mn and Pb, in tissues of Taraxacum officinale and Plantago major, lead to the fact that the ecosystem in which these species are growing should be evaluated by the authorities in terms of environmental pollution. DIM and HRI data showed that A. millefiori and R. ficaria can be safely used by locals, while T. officinale and P. major are thought to pose a risk in terms of heavy metals. Accumulation of metals by both roots and leaves in T. officinale and P. major was proportional to the metal concentration in the tailings dumps, while Cr, Mn, Cd, and Pb content exceeded the maximum permissible daily levels.