Radiometric characterization of zeolite minerals used in many industries and assessment of radiological risks.

Zeolites are important additives materials which are widely used in different industries such as construction, paper, paint, agriculture, textile, and fertilizer. In this study, radiometric characterization of natural zeolite samples collected from four zeolite open quarries in Western Anatolia in Turkey were determined using a gamma-ray spectrometry with high purity germanium detector. The radiological risks due to the use of zeolite samples as raw materials in cement and concrete production was assessed for adult people by estimating activity concentration index and annual effective dose due to external exposure in indoor. Also, annual effective radiation dose in outdoor and the corresponding lifetime cancer risk were estimated for quarry workers. Average activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K measured in seventy-seven zeolite samples were found as 85 ±â€¯4, 129 ±â€¯2 and 1030 ±â€¯24 Bq kg-1, respectively. The radon emanation factor and radon mass exhalation rate of zeolite samples varied from 1 to 9% with an average of 4% and 1.8-15.1 µBq kg-1 s-1 with an average of 7.2 ±â€¯0.3 µBq kg-1 s-1, respectively. The data were compared with criteria or limit values. The results revealed that usage of the examined zeolite samples as building raw materials would not cause any significant radiological risk.

Environmental evaluation of natural radioactivity in soil near a lignite-burning power plant in Turkey.

Natural radionuclides are released into the environment together with fly ash from the coal-burning power plant and cause an increase in the natural radioactivity in environmental samples. The study concerns to the evaluation the influence of Kangal lignite-burning power plant (LBPP) with a power of 457 MWe, which has been in operation since 1989, on natural radionuclide a concentration in surface soil samples around it. Activity concentrations of natural radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th, 40K and 222Rn) in the soil samples, and emanation coefficient (EC) and mass (ERM) and surface (ERS) exhalation rate of radon were determined by using a gamma-ray spectrometer with an HPGe detector. The average values of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and 222Rn, EC, ERM and ERS were found as 37±5, 17±3, 222±30Bqkg-1 and 9±1kBqm-3, 12%, 12.1 µBq kg-1 s-1 and 7.1mBqm-2 s-1, respectively. Absorbed gamma dose rate in outdoor air and the corresponding effective dose rate from external exposure and excess lifetime cancer risk were estimated to evaluate radiological hazards for human population. The results revealed that the Kangal LBPP has caused a small increment in 226Ra concentration in the studied area. No influence was observed for 232Th and 40K.

Radon level and indoor gamma doses in dwellings of Trabzon, Turkey.

The seasonal variations of the indoor radon activity concentrations were determined in the 97 dwellings of Trabzon, Turkey. The annual average indoor radon activity concentration varied from 8 to 583 Bq/m³. The average winter/summer ratio of radon activity concentrations was 3.62. The gamma activity concentrations in the soil samples were determined as 41, 38, 443 and 25 Bq/kg for ²²6Ra, ²³²Th, 4°K and ¹³7Cs, respectively. The average gamma dose rate in air and the annual effective dose equivalent for outdoor occupancy were calculated as 63 nGy/h and 77 µSv/y, respectively.

Radiological maps for Trabzon, Turkey.

The activity concentrations and absorbed gamma dose rates due to primordial radionuclides and (137)Cs have been ascertained in 222 soil samples in 18 counties of the Trabzon province of Turkey using a HPGe detector. The mean activity concentrations of (238)U, (232)Th, (40)K and (137)Cs in soil samples were 41, 35, 437 and 21 Bq kg(-1), respectively. Based on the measured concentrations of these radionuclides, the mean absorbed gamma dose in air was calculated as 59 nGy h(-1) and hence, the mean annual effective dose due to terrestrial gamma radiation was calculated as 72 µSv y(-1). In addition, outdoor in situ gamma dose rate (D) measurements were performed in the same 222 locations using a portable NaI detector and the annual effective dose was calculated to be 66 µSv y(-1) from these results. The results presented in this study are compared with other parts of Turkey. Radiological maps of the Trabzon province were composed using the results obtained from the study.

Radiological characterisation of Artvin and Ardahan provinces of Turkey.

Indoor radon concentration measurements were carried out and corresponding annual effective doses due to exposure to indoor radon were determined in Artvin and Ardahan provinces located in the eastern part of Turkey. The measurements were performed for four seasons in order to determine the seasonal fluctuations mostly observed in indoor environments. Indoor radon concentration values were observed to range from 21 to 321 Bq m⁻³ for the Artvin province and from 53 to 736 Bq m⁻³ for the Ardahan province. It was observed that minimum indoor radon concentration values were obtained in summer, while the highest ones were observed in winter. Indoor radon concentration values of the current study were compared with those of other provinces in Turkey. As elevated indoor radon concentrations are mostly correlated with high ²³8U activity concentrations in soil, a total of 57 and 33 soil samples were collected from the Artvin and Ardahan provinces, respectively, to determine ²³8U activity concentration as well as the concentration of ²³²Th and 4°K--naturally occurring radionuclides. It was also observed that soil samples collected from the study areas contained ¹³7Cs as an artificial radionuclide.

Environmental radioactivity assessment for Bayburt, Turkey.

This study assesses the results of environmental radioactivity measurements for Bayburt Province in the Eastern Black Sea area of Turkey. Using gamma-ray spectrometry, activity concentrations of the natural radionuclides (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K and a fission product (137)Cs were investigated in soil samples. The activity concentrations of (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K in various building materials such as sand, cement and marble and in drinking waters were determined. The activity concentrations vary from 16 to 54 Bq kg(-1) for (226)Ra, from 10 to 21 Bq kg(-1) for (232)Th and from 113 to 542 Bq kg(-1) for (40)K in building materials. The mean specific activity concentrations of (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K in drinking waters were 93, 30 and 504 mBq l(-1), respectively. The concentrations of gross alpha and beta radioactivity in drinking water samples collected from four different sampling stations have been determined. The results show that the gross alpha and beta activities are lower than the screening levels given by the World Health Organization (WHO), which are a maximum contaminant level of 0.5 Bq l(-1) and 1.0 Bq l(-1) gross alpha and beta radioactivity, respectively, in drinking water. Indoor radon measurements were made in 44 dwellings in Bayburt by using Cr-39 detectors. Radon concentrations in dwellings in Bayburt varied from 17 to 125 Bq m(-3) and the average value was 56 Bq m(-3). The results obtained in this study indicate that the region has a background radiation level that is within the typical natural range and shows no significant departures from other parts of the country.

Determination of radioactivity levels and hazards of soil and sediment samples in Firtina Valley (Rize, Turkey).

The natural radioactivity levels in soil and sediment samples of Firtina Valley have been determined. To our knowledge, there seems to be no information about radioactivity level in the Firtina Valley soils and sediments so far. For this reason, soil and sediment samples were collected along the Firtina Valley and analysis on the collected samples were carried out to determine 238U, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs radioisotopes using high purity germanium detector. The activity concentrations obtained for 226Ra, 214Pb, 214Bi, 228Ac, 208Tl, 40K and 137Cs are given in the unit of Bq/kg. The results have been compared with other radioactivity measurements in different country's soils and sediments. The radium equivalent activity (Raeq), the absorbed dose rate (D), the external hazard index (Hex), the annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE) and the annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE) were also calculated and compared with the international recommended values.

Undiagnosed diabetes mellitus and metabolic control assessed by HbA(1c) among residents of nursing homes.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Diabetes prevalence and diabetes care in residents of nursing homes is a neglected area of research although the growing number of elderly people with diabetes represents a growing challenge for health care in most countries. In this study, we used HbA(1c) measurement to estimate the percentage of residents with undiagnosed diabetes and the quality of metabolic control of subjects with known diabetes in nursing homes. METHODS: All 41 nursing homes in the county of Heinsberg in Northrhine-Westfalia were asked to complete a structured questionnaire on the prevalence of known diabetes among all residents. In addition, all residents were offered measurement of glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA(1c)) from a capillary blood sample. Undiagnosed diabetes was defined by a HbA(1c) level greater than 6.0%. RESULTS: 39 nursing homes participated in the study comprising 99.6% of all residents. Among the 1936 residents 507 (26.2%) were known to suffer from diabetes. Among the latter 37.0% were under insulin treatment. Blood samples for the determination of HbA(1c) were obtained from 979 subjects from 20 nursing homes. Among those 60 years old or above (n = 843) the mean level of HbA(1c) in those with known diabetes was 7.3 +/- 1.5% and in those without 6.1 +/- 0.9%. Only 16.7% of the subjects with known diabetes had a HbA(1c) greater than 8.5% indicating poor metabolic control. Among the residents previously not known to have diabetes 47.2% had a HbA(1c) equal to or greater than 6.1%, but among those only 8.5% had a HbA(1c) greater than 7.0%. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Although the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes mellitus defined by HbA(1c) above the normal range in elderly nursing home residents is high, only few may require treatment. The quality of metabolic control among those with known diabetes mellitus is better than expected.

[Care of elderly diabetics by ambulatory nursing in the Heinsberg region]. / Versorgung von älteren Diabetikern durch ambulante Pflegedienste im Kreis Heinsberg.

OBJECTIVE: The number of elderly people with chronic diseases receiving ambulant nursing care in the German population is continually increasing. However, little information is available on the quality of care of elderly diabetic patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the pattern of care provided for this group by such ambulatory nursing services. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All ambulant nursing services in the county of Heinsberg, North-Rhine-Westphalia, were contacted and asked to answer a standardized questionnaire. 23 of the 24 services participated in the study and provided suitable answers. The study was conducted between October 1998 and March 1999. RESULTS: All services together took care of 337 persons with known diabetes mellitus, of whom 79.6% were female and 20.4% were male. The total diabetes prevalence among all patients was 27.2%. 231 diabetic persons (68.5%) were treated with insulin. Nurses administered insulin to 84.8% of the patients. As expected many diabetics had severe late complications (7.4% amputation, 20.8% blindness, 4.2% renal failure). In the majority of patients, blood glucose was monitored, but only occasionally, whereas urinary glucose was checked in only a few cases. Foot inspection and care were provided regularly. 115 diabetics (34.1%) had at least one hospital stay during the previous 12-months period. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that ambulatory nursing services care mainly for insulin-treated diabetic patients in late stages of the disease. The current organisational structure not meet the requirements of modern diabetes management.

[Management of diabetic patients in inpatient nursing care facilities in the Heinsberg district]. / Versorgung von Diabetikern in stationären Pflegeeinrichtungen des Kreises Heinsberg.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Little information is available on the diabetes management of elderly people under institutional care. It was therefore aim of this study to assess the quality of diabetes care in this patient group. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the county of Heinsberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, after agreement in the local public health conference, all 41 nursing homes were addressed and asked to fill out a structured, detailed questionnaire. Thirty-nine institutions participated in the study representing 99.6% of all patients under such care. RESULTS: Out of the 1936 residents 507 had known diabetes mellitus (prevalence 26.2%) with an age-dependent decrease. 37.0% of the diabetic subjects were treated with insulin, 46.7% received oral hypoglycemic agents. Advanced late complications were reported in a minority of patients (3.4% amputations, 13.6% blindness or severe visual impairment, 1.0% hemodialysis). In the majority of patients, the metabolic control was assessed by blood glucose measurement, but only in low frequency. Eye examination within the previous 12 months was reported for only 50.0% of the diabetic subjects. Although the diabetics were frequently seen by their doctors (48.1% > 2 consultations/month, 48.7% with 1 to 2 consultations/month), 30.8% had at least 1 hospital stay during the previous 12 months. Among the 834 nurses with the full dataset only 4 had a special training in diabetology. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that the diabetes management of patients living in nursing homes only partially fulfills the current requirements for diabetes care. There appears to be a particular need to improve the nurses training in diabetes as well as the communication between nursing homes and doctors.

Antrochoanal polyps: analysis of 16 cases.

Antrochoanal polyps are rare lesions. Several surgical techniques have been reported to provide complete cure of the disease. However, inadequate treatment may result in a high rate of recurrences. The aetiological as well as predisposing factors are not well understood. We present a literature review and discuss the clinical, pathological and histological features of 16 patients with antrochoanal polyps, who have been surgically treated by either an endoscopical or conventional approach. It has been found that allergy has no role in the aetiology of antrochoanal polyps. However, the majority of the patients have sinonasal disease. The most common pre-operative radiological finding is the mucocoele-like appearance, which has also been confirmed in surgery. It is remarkable that antrochoanal polyps have recurred in 4 out of 8 patients, who have underwent simple intranasal polypectomy and inferior turbinectomy. As compared to conventional technique, the endoscopic approach proves to be superior.