Three nuclear power plant accidents in history and related public books / 中国辐射卫生

The peaceful use of nuclear energy has a history of nearly 80 years, and the development of nuclear energy in China has been actively and steadily promoted. Up to now, there have been three major nuclear power plant accidents in human history: Three Mile Island nuclear accident in the United States, Chernobyl nuclear accident in the former Soviet Union and Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan. However, the public in our country knows little about the three nuclear accidents. This paper introduces some books on the three nuclear accidents for the general public, which help the public understand the nuclear accidents from a non-professional point of view.

Radiation exposure and thyroid cancer: a review

ABSTRACT The association between radiation exposure and the occurrence of thyroid cancer has been well documented, and the two main risk factors for the development of a thyroid cancer are the radiation dose delivered to the thyroid gland and the age at exposure. The risk increases after exposure to a mean dose of more than 0.05-0.1 Gy (50-100mGy). The risk is more important during childhood and decreases with increased age at exposure, being low in adults. After exposure, the minimum latency period before the appearance of thyroid cancers is 5 to 10 years. Papillary carcinoma (PTC) is the most frequent form of thyroid carcinoma diagnosed after radiation exposure, with a higher prevalence of the solid subtype in young children with a short latency period and of the classical subtype in cases with a longer latency period after exposure. Molecular alterations, including intra-chromosomal rearrangements, are frequently found. Among them, RET/PTC rearrangements are the most frequent. Current research is directed on the mechanism of genetic alterations induced by radiation and on a molecular signature that can identify the origin of thyroid carcinoma after a known or suspected exposure to radiation.

Além-Mar / Overseas

Nesta história, que se passa no litoral do Rio Grande do Norte, Antônio Lino conta a história de um médico ucraniano corajoso e generoso. Recém-formado, foi atender as vítimas de Chernobyl. Depois de alguns anos como refugiado na Europa, e de exercer várias profissões, volta a ser médico e atua naquele continente até que, movido por uma crise econômica e duas paixões, vem ao Brasil atuar no Programa Mais Médicos. O cotidiano de um médico da estratégia de saúde da família numa pequena comunidade é revelado com a profundidade e beleza com que Lino nos conta uma história. Como dito no prefácio do livro: "Lino nos oferece a história de um médico capaz de nos encher de admiração e carinho, produzindo identidade e referência também naqueles que são ou pretendem ser profissionais de saúde".

Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant Accident and Comprehensive Health Risk Management—global radiocontamination and information disaster

The Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011, besides further studying the appropriateness of the initial response and post-countermeasures against the severe Fukushima nuclear accident, has now increased the importance of the epidemiological study in comprehensive health risk management and radiation protection; lessons learnt from the Chernobyl accident should be also implemented. Therefore, since May 2011, Fukushima Prefecture has started the “Fukushima Health Management Survey Project” for the purpose of long-term health care administration and early diagnosis/treatment for the prefectural residents. Basic survey is under investigation on a retrospective estimation of external exposure of the first four months. As one of the four detailed surveys, the thyroid ultrasound examination has clarified the increased detection rate of childhood thyroid cancers as a screening effect in the past three years and so thyroid cancer occurrence by Fukushima nuclear power plant accident, especially due to radioactive iodine will be discussed despite of difficult challenge of accurate estimation of low dose and low-dose rate radiation exposures. Through the on-site valuable experience and a difficult challenge for recovery, we should learn the lessons from this severe and large-scale nuclear accident, especially how to countermeasure against public health emergency at the standpoint of health risk and also social risk management.

Tecnología nuclear: una historia de Catástrofes y progresos / Nuclear technology: a history of catastrophes and progresses

La presión científica alimentada por los diversos intereses geopolíticos de la primera mitad del siglo XX, fue sin duda el motor de impulso necesario para la investigación y el desarrollo de la tecnología nuclear. Una vez superada la crisis desencadenada por la Segunda Guerra Mundial, el conocimiento obtenido sobre los generadores atómicos aplicados a las necesidades civiles, no demoro en consolidar la energía nuclear como una opción futurista a la previsible escasez mundial de combustible. Es por eso, que el átomo se presento como una carta maestra para la seguridad, energía, economía, desarrollo y el cuidado ambiental. Sin embargo, pese a los controles para limitar su desarrollo como elemento militar, esta “panacea” no carece de generar dudas sobre su costo/beneficio. La historia relata algunos acontecimientos relacionados con dichos generadores, que han causado daños irreparables de manera inmediata y a largo plazo en el medio ambiente y en las poblaciones aledañas a aquellas estructuras. En el siguiente informe, se elabora una recopilación sobre el historial de eventos relacionados con el desarrollo de tecnología atómica, así como de la situación mundial de la energía nuclear...

Research and development of nuclear technology were done by a science under pressure of the geopolitical interests in the first half of the 20th century. Once the crisis triggered by the World War II passed, the knowledge gained about atomic generators applied to civilian needs, was able to quickly consolidate nuclear energy as a futuristic option for the global fuel shortage. At the same time, the atom was presented as a trump card for security, energetic, economic, and environmental development. However, despite the controls to limit its expansion as a military weapon, this “panacea” does not lack of doubts its costs versus its benefits. History can tell some events related to these generators, which have caused irreparable damage in their surrounding environment and nearby towns immediately and in a long term. In the following report, a review if the history of events related to the development of nuclear technology is made, as well as the overall situation of nuclear power worldwide...

Childhood thyroid cancer in Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine after Chernobyl and at present

Thyroid cancer in children is usually rare, but in the individuals exposed to radiation risk of disease increases considerably. After the Chernobyl accident in 1986, an over 10-fold maximal elevation in the incidence of thyroid cancer was registered about a decade later, cumulatively resulting in more than a thousand of newly diagnosed cases in children who lived in the territories of Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine affected by radioactive fallouts. Experience from the epidemic substantially promoted knowledge in clinical pediatric oncology, pathology and basic sciences. This article overviews epidemiology, clinical features, results of treatment and follow-up of childhood patients with radiation-induced Chernobyl thyroid cancer in comparison to sporadic cases diagnosed at present. In addition, we discuss general issues of pathology and molecular findings in childhood thyroid carcinomas.

O câncer de tiróide é habitualmente raro em crianças, mas em indivíduos expostos a radiação o risco da doença aumenta consideravelmente. Cerca de uma década após o acidente de Chernobil, em 1986, foi registrado um aumento de mais de 10 vezes na incidência de câncer de tiróide, resultando cumulativamente em mais de mil novos casos diagnosticados em crianças que viviam nos territórios da Bielorrússia, Russia, e Ucrânia, afetadas pela chuva radioativa. A experiência com essa epidemia resultou em conhecimento substancial de oncologia pediátrica clínica, patologia e ciências básicas. Este artigo analisa a epidemiologia, os achados clínicos, os resultados do tratamento e a evolução de pacientes pediátricos com câncer de tiróide induzido pela radiação de Chernobil, em comparação com casos esporádicos diagnosticados atualmente. Adicionalmente, serão discutidos tópicos de patologia e achados moleculares no carcinoma de tiróide infantil.

The Experiences of the Ukraine Military 408 hospital on rescuing and treating the injuried people in the Chernobyl accident / 解放军医学杂志

300 000 military people attended the rescue task of the Chernobyl accident,some of them encountered a certain level of radiation exposure.The present paper outlined the work and experiences of the faculty of Ukraine Military 408 hospital on the mission of rescuing and treating the injured people.The action of first aid,medical rescue,and treatment includes three stages,and has being persisted till now.It was herewith reported that the emphatic working points,scale of military rescue and medical assistance and the composition of working teams for each stage.The hospital has de novel established the necessary clinical and experimental departments according to the need of rescuing task.594 people,who exposed to radiation at the dose range from 0.25 to 0.5Gy,were carried out physical examination,experimental check and health analysis in this hospital.The occurrence of hematological change was increased along with the increased radiation dose.It should be pointed out that the late effects of cardiovascular system and gastrointestinal system must be paid attention for these exposed people.The present paper also discussed the problem and other issues to be improved in the process of rescue and medical assistance.

The protective measures against radiation injury for the servicemen and residents after the Chernobyl accident / 解放军医学杂志

This paper reported the situation of radiation contamination in the environment after Chernobyl accident.50,500km2 of area in Ukraine were contaminated,and 10% of Ukraine residents were living in the contaminated region.The population exposed with radiation were categorized according to the 4 stages of the Chernobyl accident and the successive development,i.e.the earliest contaminated stage,the radioactive iodine contamination,radioactive residue contamination and the long-life radioactive materials contamination.The tasks of the armed forces and the major work of the logistical department were introduced.Medical measures,the dose-limit criteria for the professional people were established,and the related radiation safety and protection system were constructed for the implement of these measures and action.It was very important to take iodine tablet as early as possible for the members of rescue corps and residents to protect the thyroid,and to regularly inspect the food and water.With the adoption of the effective complex protective measures,these three important tasks had been achieved:further injuries to human from the contamination of immense radioactive materials was prevented,the internal exposure dose on the residents was decreased,and large scale contiguous diseases and food toxic event did not occur.

Evaluation to the health situation of Ukraine residents after the Chernobyl accident / 解放军医学杂志

This article reported the health situation of three categories of population after the Chernobyl accident:members of the rescue corps,the evacuees from the region within 30km of the accident site,children and adolescents.A total of 225 000 victims and 7 400 of rescue people were exposed with radiation at a dose range from 0.25Gy to 0.7Gy.The observed end-points include the long term effects(thyroid cancer,leukemia,women breast cancer,and the other types of malignant cancers) and the definitive effects(acute radiation sickness,cataract,non-cancer diseases,and the health situation of children and adolescent).The observations showed an increased risk of these health problems.The present paper also discussed the effect of other non-radiation factors on these health problems,and concluded that there existed a variety of causes for the occurrence of these diseases.