Natural radionuclides in thermal mineral springs in Edipsos Greece.

Natural thermal and mineral therapeutic springs exist all over Greece. A radiological survey has been carried out in the municipality of Edipsos to study the naturally occurring alpha emitter radionuclides, 226Ra and the uranium isotopes. Thirteen thermal spring water samples and six tap water samples which were collected from five locations in the municipality of Edipsos, were analysed and measured by a-spectrometry. The obtained results show that 238U activity varies between 2.8 ± 0.3 and 65.0 ± 5.3 mBq/L in hot springs and between 2.70 ± 0.35 and 10.6 ± 0.9 mBq/L in tap water samples. The 234U/238U activity ratio lying between 1.12 ± 0.17 and 2.12 ± 0.30 indicates enrichment in the 234U concentration that can be explained through its ability to be easily leached from mineral surfaces. The 226Ra activity concentration varies between 3.5 ± 0.4 and 1470 ± 127 mBq/L in hot springs and between 6.5 ± 0.9 and 28.2 ± 2.8 mBq/L in tap water samples. Based on these results the estimated doses in this study are below the recommended dose of 1 mSv/y. Highlights A radiological survey was carried out in the thermal springs of Edipsos, one of the most popular spa towns in Greece. Determination of uranium isotopes and 226Ra via a-spectrometry was performed. Low uranium content was a common characteristic for all the samples.

A RADIATION DOSIMETRY ASSESSMENT OF WORKERS IN GREEK STYLE ROTISSERIES THAT USE PELLETS CONTAMINATED BY 137Cs AND 90Sr.

This work evaluates the 137Cs and 90Sr content of wood pellets of the Greek energy market and additionally calculates worker exposure in Greek catering establishments (rotisseries). Wood pellets and ash samples were analysed through high resolution gamma-ray spectroscopy and liquid scintillation. Imported pellets had higher 137Cs concentrations, especially pellets that were imported in bulk. Greek pellets had very smaller 137Cs amounts. Despite the high variation in 137Cs content the 137Cs exemption levels were not exceeded in any case. However, if an enrichment factor of 300 is assumed, some ashes samples may exceed 13000 Bq/kg. The highest amounts of 90Sr were measured in ashes from pellets manufactured abroad in 2015, with up to 1060 Bq/kg. A linear regression model of the ratio of 137Cs to 90Sr activity followed our data well, and other sets of data partially. A dosimetry assessment of kitchen employees revealed that maximum possible dose intake reached 400 nSv/year.

Selective Membrane Complexation and Uranium Isotopes Analysis in Tap Water and Seawater Samples.

The complexation of 238U and 234U in tap water and seawater after the use of a selective membrane was examined. At the first step, many ligands were used for original membranes preparation and their yields in uranium analysis were evaluated by X-ray fluorescence, in order to select the ligand with the highest uranium selectivity in water samples. At the second step the new prepared membrane was used for uranium analysis by α-spectrometry. Various factors were tested for a more effective uranium binding such as a membrane's active surface, water sample volume, equilibration time, and stirring during the process. After membrane complexation, uranium was separated by anion exchange and electroplated onto stainless steel plates in order to prepare suitable α-ray sources; these sources were measured by α-spectrometry and gave high chemical uranium recoveries and very good energy resolution spectra. The method can successfully be applied even for relatively small sample volumes and seawater samples.

Nuclear security and radiological preparedness for the olympic games, athens 2004: lessons learned for organizing major public events.

In light of the exceptional circumstances that arose from hosting the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004 and from recent terrorist events internationally, Greece attributes the highest priority to security issues. According to its statutory role, the Greek Atomic Energy Commission is responsible for emergency preparedness and response in case of nuclear and radiological events, and advises the Government on the measures and interventions necessary to protect the public. In this context, the Commission participated in the Nuclear, Radiological, Biological, and Chemical Threat National Emergency Plan, specially developed for the Olympic Games, and coordinated by the Olympic Games Security Division. The objective of this paper is to share the experience gained during the organization of the Olympic Games and to present the nuclear security program implemented prior to, during, and beyond the Games, in order to prevent, detect, assess, and respond to the threat of nuclear terrorism. This program adopted a multi-area coverage of nuclear security, including physical protection of nuclear and radiological facilities, prevention of smuggling of radioactive materials through borders, prevention of dispersion of these materials into the Olympic venues, enhancement of emergency preparedness and response to radiological events, upgrading of the technical infrastructure, establishment of new procedures for assessing the threat and responding to radiological incidents, and training personnel belonging to several organizations involved in the National Emergency Response Plan. Finally, the close cooperation of Greek Authorities with the International Atomic Energy Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, under the coordination of the Greek Atomic Energy Commission, is also discussed.