Cesium-137 activity concentrations in soil and brick samples of Mirpur, Azad Kashmir; Pakistan

The aim of this study was to measure137Cs levels in soil and brick samples to set the baseline data and an indicator of fallout radioactivity for this part of the world. This study will help to probe, if there is any health threat posed by [137]Cs exposure to the residents of the area. Twenty five samples of soil and 6 samples of bricks were collected from different locations of Mirpur of Azad Kashmir. A P-type HPGe detector was used to measure gamma spectra of samples. Results showed that for soil samples activity concentration range from 0.076 +/- 0.071 to 2.94 +/- 0.17 Bq.Kg[-1] with average value of 1.39 +/- 0.17 Bq.Kg[-1]. Similarly activity concentration of [137]Cs in Brick samples range from 0.22 +/- 0.09 BqKg[-1] to 2.14 +/- 0.13 BqKg[-1] with average value of 0.73 +/- 0.10 Bq.Kg[-1]. For soil samples the average values of outdoor, indoor and annual effective dose were found to be 5.12 × 10[-5], 20.47 × 10[-5] and 25.58 × 10 [-5] mSv.y[-1] respectively. For brick samples specific activity of the [137]Cs range from 0.22 +/- 0.09 to 2.14 +/- 0.13 Bq Kg[-1]. The average values of outdoor, indoor and annual effective dose for brick samples were 2.71 × 10[-5], 10.52 × 10[-5] and 13.23 × 10[-5] mSv.y[-1]respectively. The results indicate that the measured values were extremely small when compared with the annual dose rate recommended by ICRP [1.0 mSv.y[-1]], as well as the annual external gamma radiation dose [0.48 mSv.y[-1]] received per head from the natural sources of radiation

Biological Profiles of Korean Atomic Bomb Survivors in Residence at Daegu and Kyungbuk, Republic of Korea

In 1945, many Koreans, in addition to Japanese, were killed or injured by the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan. This study compared the biological profiles of Korean atomic bomb survivors in residence at Daegu and Kyungbuk, Republic of Korea with those of a representative sample of Koreans obtained during a similar period. We evaluated anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, blood cell counts, blood chemistry, and urinalysis of survivors (n=414) and age- and sex-matched controls (n=414) recruited from the third Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted in 2005. Univariate analyses revealed significantly higher systolic blood pressure, white blood cell count, and serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and aspartate aminotransferase levels (p<0.01) in the survivors. Conversely, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, red blood cell count, and the proportion of positive urine occult blood (p<0.01) were lower in the survivors. Our findings suggest that biological profiles of Korean atomic bomb survivors were adversely affected by radiation exposure.

Non-cancer Diseases of Korean Atomic Bomb Survivors in Residence at Hapcheon, Republic of Korea

Many Koreans, in addition to Japanese, were killed or injured by the atomic bombs detonated over Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, in 1945. Our study examined noncancer diseases of Korean A-bomb survivors in residence at Hapcheon, Republic of Korea and evaluated whether they had significantly higher prevalence of noncancer diseases than non-exposed people. We evaluated a number of tests, including anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, blood chemistry, hepatitis B surface antigen, and urinalysis, of survivors (n=223) and controls (n=372). Univariate analysis revealed significantly lower fasting glucose and creatinine, and higher diastolic blood pressure, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and blood urea nitrogen levels in the survivors than in the controls. The calculation of crude prevalence ratios (PRs) revealed that A-bomb survivors had a significantly higher prevalence of hypertension (PR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.00-1.35) and chronic liver disease (2.20; 1.59-3.06) than controls. After adjusting for covariates (age, sex, body mass index, marital status, education, alcohol consumption, and smoking), A-bomb survivors had a significantly higher prevalence of hypertension (1.24; 1.06-1.44), chronic liver disease (2.07; 1.51-2.84), and hypercholesterolemia (1.79; 1.11-2.90) than controls. This study suggests that A-bomb exposure is associated with a higher prevalence of non-cancer diseases in Korean survivors.

Nuclear, biological and chemical warfare. Part I: Medical aspects of nuclear warfare.

Casualties in earlier wars were due much more to diseases than to weapons. Mention has been made in history of the use of biological agents in warfare, to deny the enemy food and water and to cause disease. In the first world war chemical agents were used to cause mass casualties. Nuclear weapons were introduced in the second world war. Several countries are now involved in developing nuclear, biological and chemical weapon systems, for the mass annihilation of human beings, animals and plants, and to destroy the economy of their enemies. Recently, natural calamities and accidents in nuclear, chemical and biological laboratories and industries have caused mass instantaneous deaths in civilian population. The effects of future wars will not be restricted to uniformed persons. It is time that physicians become aware of the destructive potential of these weapons. Awareness, immediate protective measures and first aid will save a large number of persons. This series of articles will outline the medical aspects of nuclear, biological and chemical weapon systems in three parts. Part I will deal with the biological effects of a nuclear explosion. The short and long term effects due to blast, heat and associated radiation are highlighted. In Part II, the role of biological agents which cause commoner or new disease patterns is mentioned. Some of the accidents from biological warfare laboratories are a testimony to its potential deleterious effects. Part III deals with medical aspects of chemical warfare agents, which in view of their mass effects can overwhelm the existing medical resources, both civilian and military.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Gamma-ray spectrum of bovine thyroid during nuclear fallout

Following a nuclear explosion, the radioactive materials descend, to the earth. Most of the activity results from fission fragments. Therefore, new atoms created when heavy atoms such as uranium and plutonium are fissioned, Atoms made radioactive by neutron capture are also important. If the explosion is sufficiently high in the air, it takes months to years for most of the resulting finely dispersed particle to settle [1and 2]. By this time the greater part of the initial radioactivity has decayed away. This delayed fallout covers the entire world. Rain and snow help to bring it down. It tends to be greater in wet climate and seasons. In this article the data obtained during Russian nuclear air tests has been analysed [1961]