ABSTRACT
This work presents an overview of the applications of retrospective dosimetry techniques in case of incorporation of radionuclides. The fact that internal exposures are characterized by a spatially inhomogeneous irradiation of the body, which is potentially prolonged over large periods and variable over time, is particularly problematic for biological and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) dosimetry methods when compared with external exposures. The paper gives initially specific information about internal dosimetry methods, the most common cytogenetic techniques used in biological dosimetry and EPR dosimetry applied to tooth enamel. Based on real-case scenarios, dose estimates obtained from bioassay data as well as with biological and/or EPR dosimetry are compared and critically discussed. In most of the scenarios presented, concomitant external exposures were responsible for the greater portion of the received dose. As no assay is available which can discriminate between radiation of different types and different LETs on the basis of the type of damage induced, it is not possible to infer from these studies specific conclusions valid for incorporated radionuclides alone. The biological dosimetry assays and EPR techniques proved to be most applicable in cases when the radionuclides are almost homogeneously distributed in the body. No compelling evidence was obtained in other cases of extremely inhomogeneous distribution. Retrospective dosimetry needs to be optimized and further developed in order to be able to deal with real exposure cases, where a mixture of both external and internal exposures will be encountered most of the times.
Subject(s)
Radiation, Ionizing , Radiometry/methods , Animals , Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy , Humans , Radioisotopes/pharmacokineticsABSTRACT
European Radiation Dosimetry Group e.V. (EURADOS) survey on individual monitoring data and dose assessment has been carried out for 550 foreigners returning home after being exposed in Japan to intakes of radionuclides (mainly (131)I, (132)I, (132)Te, (134)Cs and (137)Cs) as a consequence of the Fukushima Daiichi NPP accident. In vivo and in vitro measurements were performed in their respective countries at an early stage after that accident. Intakes of radionuclides were detected in 208 persons from Europe and Canada, but the committed effective dose E(50) was below the annual dose limit for the public (<1 mSv) in all the cases. Lessons learned from this EURADOS survey are presented here regarding not only internal dosimetry issues, but also the management of the emergency situation, the perception of the risk of health effects due to radiation and the communication with exposed persons who showed anxiety and lack of trust in monitoring data and dose assessments.
Subject(s)
Cesium Radioisotopes/analysis , Environmental Exposure/analysis , Fukushima Nuclear Accident , Iodine Radioisotopes/analysis , Radiation Monitoring/methods , Canada , Emergencies , Environmental Exposure/prevention & control , Europe , Humans , Japan , Kinetics , Nuclear Power Plants , Radiation Dosage , Radiation Protection/methods , Radiometry , Risk Assessment , Time Factors , Travel , TsunamisABSTRACT
A model of a multi-electrode ionisation chamber, with polypropylene electrodes coated with a thin layer of B4C was created within Monte Carlo N-Particle Transport Code (MCNPX) and Fluktuierende Kaskade (FLUKA) codes. The influence of the layer thickness on neutron absorption in B4C and on the neutron spectra in the consecutive intra-electrode gas volumes has been studied using the MCNPX and FLUKA codes. The results will be used for designing the new type of the ionisation chamber.
Subject(s)
Boron/chemistry , Carbon/chemistry , Polypropylenes/chemistry , Algorithms , Alloys , Aluminum , Californium , Computer Simulation , Electrodes , Electrons , Equipment Design , Gases , Ions , Monte Carlo Method , Neutrons , Phantoms, Imaging , Protons , SoftwareABSTRACT
The paper presents four cases of post-accidental contamination with iodine (131)I, registered in the Radiation Protection Measurements Laboratory (LPD) of the Institute of Atomic Energy POLATOM. Two cases were registered during routine monitoring of internal exposures carried out at LPD laboratory, one case corresponds to in vivo measurements performed at LPD after Chernobyl accident in 1986, and the last case is associated with an emergency situation after an accident occurred in a Polish hospital. In all cases, thyroid measurements were performed; for hospital employees whole-body and urine measurements were also carried out.
