Radiological safety assessment inside ancient Egyptian tombs in Saqqara.

Many archaeological sites in Egypt are unique worldwide, such as ancient tombs and pyramids, because they document fundamental developments in human civilization that took place several thousands of years ago. For this reason, these sites are visited by numerous visitors every year. The present work is devoted to provide a pre-operational radiological baseline needed to quantify occupational radiation exposure at the famous Saqqara region in Cairo, Egypt. A hyperpure Ge detector has been used in the γ-ray spectrometric analysis while the (222)Rn concentration was measured using a portable radon monitor RTM 1688-2, SARAD. The mean specific activities of (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K in the samples collected from the interior walls of the Saqqara tombs were determined and found to show average values of 16, 8.5 and 45 Bq kg(-1), respectively. The concentration of radon was measured inside the tombs Serapeum, South tomb and the Zoser Pyramid (fifth level) and an associated average working level of 0.83 WL was obtained. In order to avoid the health hazards associated with the exposure to radon during the long period of work inside these tombs, proposed solutions are introduced.

Influence of electron injection into 27 cm audio plasma cell on the plasma diagnostics.

In this article, the plasma is created in a Pyrex tube (L = 27 cm, φ = 4 cm) as a single cell, by a capacitive audio frequency (AF) discharge (f = 10-100 kHz), at a definite pressure of ~0.2 Torr. A couple of tube linear and deviating arrangements show plasma characteristic conformity. The applied AF plasma and the injection of electrons into two gas mediums Ar and N2 revealed the increase of electron density at distinct tube regions by one order to attain 10(13)∕cm(3). The electrons temperature and density strengths are in contrast to each other. While their distributions differ along the plasma tube length, they show a decaying sinusoidal shape where their peaks position varies by the gas type. The electrons injection moderates electron temperature and expands their density. The later highest peak holds for the N2 gas, at electrons injection it changes to hold for the Ar. The sinusoidal decaying density behavior generates electric fields depending on the gas used and independent of tube geometry. The effect of the injected electrons performs a responsive impact on electrons density not attributed to the gas discharge. Analytical tools investigate the interaction of the plasma, the discharge current, and the gas used on the electrodes. It points to the emigration of atoms from each one but for greater majority they behave to a preferred direction. Meanwhile, only in the linear regime, small percentage of atoms still moves in reverse direction. Traces of gas atoms revealed on both electrodes due to sheath regions denote lack of their participation in the discharge current. In addition, atoms travel from one electrode to the other by overcoming the sheaths regions occurring transportation of particles agglomeration from one electrode to the other. The electrons injection has contributed to increase the plasma electron density peaks. These electrons populations have raised the generated electrostatic fields assisting the elemental ions emigration to a preferred electrode direction. Regardless of plasma electrodes positions and plasma shape, ions can be departed from one electrode to deposit on the other one. In consequence, as an application the AF plasma type can enhance the metal deposition from one electrode to the other.

A simple calibration of a whole-body counter for the measurement of total body potassium in humans.

A simple calibration procedure for the Inshas whole body counter for evaluating total body potassium has been adopted. More than 120 Egyptian employees in the Nuclear Research Center (N.R.C.) were studied for their total body potassium (TBK). The potassium values were found to have an average of 2.85 +/- 0.57 g K kg-1 body weight for males and 2.62 +/- 0.52 g K kg-1 for females, which are higher than the recommended value given for reference man by ICRP. The TBK varied directly with body build index and is slightly sex dependent.

Effects of two organophosphorus insecticides on some biochemical constituents in the nervous system and liver of rabbits.

Male Baladi rabbits were acutely and sub-chronically intoxicated with cyanofenphos and profenophos. The levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, B-lipoproteins and total proteins were determined in the serum, brain, spinal cord and sciatic nerve of rabbits. Moreover, the activities of alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase were determined in the liver of the animals. The whole studies revealed that the biochemical constituents were highly affected by the tested insecticides. Also, the liver function suffered from adverse effects of the tested insecticides.

Two acute human poisoning cases resulting from exposure to diazinon transformation products in Egypt.

Two spraymen working in public health occupations in Alexandria, Egypt, experienced acute toxicity resulting from exposure to diazinon. Symptomatology was similar to that previously reported for exposure to parathion or other organophosphorus insecticides. Plasma and red blood cell cholinesterase activity values were determined in blood samples obtained from both individuals at various times after the incident. Cholinesterase activity showed a marked reduction up to 18 days after exposure. Blood cholinesterase activity recovered to approximately 90% of the normal level of activity 28 days after the poisoning incident in one individual. This activity recovered to about the same level in the other individual, but after only 20 days from the poisoning date. Experimental results suggested that this acute toxicity resulted from unsuitable storage conditions of the emulsifiable concentrate formulation of diazinon. The diazinon that was applied was stored in "tin" containers made of tin-plated sheet steel. The emulsifiable concentrate (60%) was not in compliance with the World Health Organization's standard specifications regarding the emulsion stability tests because of the presence of crystals in the emulsifiable concentrate. A sample of this crystalline material was analyzed. Gas chromatographic analysis combined with mass spectrometric techniques failed to identify intact diazinon in samples of that material. The sample represented virtually complete conversion of diazinion into transformation products. Sulfotepp and monothiono-TEPP were two of the identified products in the sample, both of which are much more toxic than diazinon.

In-vivo interaction of some organophosphorus insecticides with different biochemical targets in white rats.

A comparative study between five organophosphorus insecticides: Leptophos, EPN, Cyanofenphos, Chlorpyrifos and Diazinon, was carried out for acute oral toxicity to white rats and for their in vivo interaction at 1/10th of LD50 doses with the activity of six serum enzymes after 4 wks from oral administration. Leptophos, Chlorpyrifos and diazinon exerted significant inhibition particularly to glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), glutamyltransferase (GT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Adding ascorbic acid in the diet at 0.5% enhanced the acute oral toxicity of leptophos, chlorpyrifos and diazinon. For all the compounds, presence of ascorbic acid protected a number of the monitored serum enzymes from being inhibited except for leptophos. Ascorbic acid caused hypoglycemia with sublethal doses of leptophos, chlorpyrifos, and diazinon. The synergist piperonyl butoxide alone at 750 mg/kg dose inhibited the activity of the six serum enzymes. Presence of ascorbic acid in the diet intensified the inhibitory effect of piperonyl butoxide to all enzymes except for GOT.

Biochemical effects of some organophosphorus insecticide on new targets in white rats.

The three S-n-propyl phosphates and phosphothioates: RH 218, profenofos and prothiophos were compared with fenitrothion in their potential as inhibitors of rat liver and brain AChE. Fenitrothion was more potent as an inhibitor than the three S-n-propyl derivatives. Incubation of hepatic protein enhanced ChE inhibition in brain in the case of fenitrothion, while it reduced the inhibitory effect of the S-n-propyl derivatives. On the other hand, the four organophosphorus esters caused hypoglycemia in both male and female rats and also reduced their blood urea with different degrees.

Occupational effect of phosfolan insecticide on spraymen during field exposure.

Phosfolan (Cyolane), 2-(diethoxy phosphinylimino)-1,3-dithiolane is one of the widely used insecticides in Egypt specially to protect cotton plants. The hazard of exposure of the spray workers team in the field was estimated in terms of the amount of Phosfolan insecticide retained on workmen body pads during field spraying. The health effect of such exposure was determined through recording of the AChE inhibition in the red blood cells at different intervals after exposure. The calculated percentage of the toxic dose received per every spraying day for each worker varied with the type of job in the range of 0.008 to 0.03 percent. The body of the mixer received the maximum exposure with 10 to 12 fold that of the assistants. The highly exposed group of workers suffered from 31 to 44 percent RBC's AChE inhibition. About half of the inhibited enzyme activity recovered after 48 hours. Then it took more than 3-4 weeks to reach complete recovery. Thus the RBC's AChE activity can be recommended as a criterion for the level of exposure to organophosphorous insecticides.

Prevalence of schistosomiasis among fishermen of Lake Maryut.

A survey was carried out to investigate the presence of Bilharziasis among the fishermen of the lake Maryut. Schistosoma mansoni is more prevalent, than S. haematobium among fishermen of lake Maryut. Biomphalaria alexandrina, snails were prevalent around the lake specially in places of low salinity, where fresh water discharges exist. Bulinus truncatus snails were not found during the time of the present survey and more frequent surveys are needed. There is an inverse relation between the number of snails and the salinity of the water. Since the salinity of the water is decreasing by time as a result of the increased discharge of agricultural and domestic waste into the lake, Bilharziasis infection may increase among the fishermen. This situation needs more attention from public health authorities in the area.

Effect of some herbicides on the toxicity of certain molluscacides against Biomphalaria alexandrina snails.

Studies dealing with the effect of some herbicides on the molluscicidal action of certain molluscicides against B. alexandrina have been carried out. In the first part of the study the toxicity of 3 molluscicides (Copper sulphate, Niclosamide and Frescon) and 3 herbicides (Gramaxone, Preforan and Treflan) was tested individually. Results indicated that the molluscicides were more potent than the herbicides. In the second part, snails were exposed for 24 hr to one of the tested herbicides using LC0 or (Sub. lethal conc) then the toxicity of molluscicides was determined among the same snails. Data indicated that pre-exposure to herbicides caused a synergistic action with copper sulphate, while with Niclosamide and Frescon marked antagonistic effect was observed. In the third part molluscicides and herbicides were mixed in different ratios (1:2, 1:1 and 2:1) and the toxicity of the mixtures was tested. A synergistic effect was observed in the case of copper sulphate plus various herbicides especially with Treflan at 1:2 ratio. With Niclosamide and Frescon slight antagonistic effect was detected.