[Assessment of the radiation risk to health caused by the intake of Cs-137 and Sr-90 radionuclides from food in the able-bodied population of the Samara region].

Monitoring of the content of technogenic radionuclides (Cs-137 and Sr-90) in foods is one of the key areas in ensuring radiation safety of the population, taking into account the current radiation situation. The greatest risk to health is food produced or imported from the territories that have been subjected to man-made radiation accidents. The purpose of the research was to assess the radiation risk caused by oral intake of radionuclides based on the study of the actual nutrition of the adult population and contamination of food with Cs-137 and Sr-90 radionuclides. Material and methods. The specific activity of Cs-137 and Sr-90 radionuclides (median and 90 percentile) was assessed by gamma spectrometric method in 1235 samples of food produced in the Samara region and imported from outside. Data on the actual nutrition of 894 respondents aged 18 to 68 years (in the autumn-winter period) were obtained by the 24-hour dietary recall using the automated software package Nutri-prof (version 2.9). Based on the data obtained, effective annual doses of internal radiation were calculated, information was obtained on the risks of malignant neoplasms, including in the long-term period under various scenarios of internal radiation. Results. Radiometric studies of food samples did not reveal deviations from hygienic standards. The highest median values of Cs-137 specific activity were observed in samples of forest mushrooms (1.23 Bq/kg), wild berries (0.97 Bq/kg), fish and fish products (0.96 Bq/kg). The highest median values of Sr-90 specific activity were also observed in samples of forest mushrooms (3.86 Bq/kg), fish and fish products (2.71 Bq/kg). The radiation risk under various scenarios of Cs-137 intake was regarded as «negligible¼, while the risk was regarded as «small¼ when consuming food contaminated with Sr-90. The number of additional cases of malignant neoplasms at the admission of Cs-137 in the median values of specific activity is 0.38 per year, at maximum values - 0.57 per year, at the admission of Sr-90 - 2.04 per year and 3.30 cases per year, respectively. Conclusion. The implementation of radiation monitoring of food, especially those imported from areas of high radiation risk, is a necessary condition for ensuring radiation safety of the population. It is also necessary to take into account the stochastic effect of the influence of small doses of internal exposure on the organism when consuming food, which make a significant contribution to the formation of the dose of internal radiation.

Radionuclides transfer from soil-to-tea leaves and concomitant doses to the Malaysian populace.

One of the most well-liked energizing drinks is now tea, which is primarily used in Malaysia. The natural radioactivity in the associated soils where tea plants are cultivated plays a major role in determining the presence of radionuclides in tea leaves. The present study assesses the transfer of radionuclides from soil-to-tea leaves and then estimates the committed effective doses through tea consumption. Tea leaves and the associated soils were obtained from the largest tea plantation area, which is located in the Cameron Highlands, Malaysia. The marketed tea leaves in powdered form were obtained from the supermarkets in Kuala Lumpur. HPGe gamma-ray spectrometry was used to determine the prevailing concentrations of long-lived radioactive materials in tea leaves. Activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in tea soils ranged from 49 to 101.7 Bq kg-1, 74.5-124.1 Bq kg-1 and 79.6-423.2 Bq kg-1, respectively, while the respective values in tea leaves are 14.4-23.8 Bq kg-1, 12.9-29.5 Bq kg-1 and 297-387.5 Bq kg-1. Transfer factors of radionuclides showed typical values (<1.0) except for the 40K. The threshold tea consumption rates suggest that one should not consume more than 67 g of tea leaves per day (around 4 g of tea leaves are needed for making 1 cup of tea, so 17 cups per day) to avoid negative health effects. Committed effective doses due to tea consumption are found to be lower (5.18-6.08 µSv y-1) than the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (2000) reference dose guidance limit of 290 µSv y-1 for foodstuffs; however, it should be noted that the guidance limit is recommended for all foodstuffs collectively. Providing data on natural radioactivity in tea leaves grown in Malaysia, this study may help people manage a healthy lifestyle.

Assessment of radiation dose due to 210Po in water and food samples of Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka, India.

Groundwater is in direct contact with the soil and rocks that dissolve many compounds and minerals including uranium and its daughter products. 210Po is one of the decay products of 238U series that cause internal radiation dose in humans when consumed in the form of water and food, including sea food. Therefore, activities of 210Po have been studied in ground and surface water, and in food samples that are commonly used in Chamarajanagar region of Karnataka, India. The average 210Po concentration in bore well water samples and surface water samples are 3.21 and 1.85 mBq L-1, respectively. In raw rice and wheat, the average values of 210Po are 96 and 41 mBq kg-1, respectively. In millets and pulses, the average activity of 210Po is 157 and 79 mBq kg-1, respectively. Among food items, the highest activity of 1.3 kBq kg-1 is observed in marine crabs and the lowest activity of 2.6 mBq kg-1 is found in milk samples. The average ingestion dose due to 210Po in ground and surface water are 2.8 and 1.62 µSv y-1, respectively. The ingestion dose due to various food samples to the population is also calculated. Total ingestion dose due to 210Po to pure vegetarian population and general population are 38.09 and 590.80 µSv y-1, respectively. The concentration of 210Po in water samples and food samples of this region are in a comparable range with the world and Indian average values and lies well below the recommended guideline level.

Assessment of natural and artificial radioactivity concentrations in infant powdered milk consumed in Albania and estimation of the annual effective dose.

This study evaluates the radiological risk associated with the consumption of infant powdered milk in Albania. Infant powdered milk is the basic foodstuff for their growth and development in many countries around the world. The activity concentration of radionuclides (40K, 226Ra, 232Th and 137Cs) was measured in fourteen types by using the gamma-ray technique. The results indicated that the activity concentration of 40K, 226Ra and 232Th were detected in all selected samples, whereas 137Cs were not detected in most of them. The activity concentration of 40K, 226Ra and 232Th varies from 92.83 ± 4.32 to 400.53 ± 17.00 Bq kg-1, 0.80 ± 0.15 to 4.91 ± 0.28 Bq kg-1 and 0.19 ± 0.02 to 1.89 ± 0.14 Bq kg-1, respectively. The highest value for 137Cs was found to be 0.36 ± 0.03 Bq kg-1. The average values of Annual Effective Dose (AED) due to consumption of powdered milk were found to be 664.54 ± 31.11 µSv y-1 for infants ≤1 year and 138.53 ± 5.40 µSv y-1 for infants 1-2 years. The values of dose in this study were lower than the recommended limit of 1 mSv y-1 set by WHO/FAO and ICRP for all ages. Therefore, brands of powdered milk are safe, so, these can be normally consumed by infants in Albania.

Radiological impact of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in fodders from Penang, Malaysia.

The plant acts as an important route for the transfer of radionuclides from the soil to animals, leading to the transfer of radiation to human food products such as beef and milk. Therefore, the level of radioactivity in fodder plays a crucial role in deciding whether cattle may be allowed to graze in a certain area. In this study, the activities of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were measured via gamma-ray spectrometry on different fodder samples, including napier leaves, rice straw, corn stalks, guinea grass, mixed pasture, palm oil leaves and palm kernel collected from Penang, Malaysia. Theoretical calculations were also conducted to estimate the levels of these radionuclides in caw's products (beef and milk), as well as their potential radiological impact on local consumers. On average, the annual effective dose due to ingestion of radionuclides in milk was 11.39 µSv y-1, whereas in beef it was 5.63 µSv y-1. These values are significantly lower than the worldwide average of 290 µSv y-1. Research confirmed that farmers' usage of the aforementioned feeds did not cause any radiation-related health risks.

Radioactivity concentration levels and potential radiotoxicity risk assessment of aquatic superfoods case study of algae supplements.

It has been found that algae have a variety of health benefits, although investigations showed that they contain radiotoxic elements, including 226Ra, 232Th, 40K, and 137Cs, which may affect human health. This study is connected to activity concentration measurements of the above radionuclides in the algae supplements available in the Middle East markets. The annual effective radiation doses of measured radionuclides in analyzed algal supplements have been calculated. The highest values of annual effective doses have been estimated for 226Ra in Ecklonia (13.39 µSv/y) and for 232Th in Red Marine Algae (11.80 µSv/y), both from South Korea. In algal "superfoods", the effective dose of 137Cs is not significantly affected by the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the activity levels of radionuclides are low, the naturally occurring radionuclides provide the most effective doses, and algae supplements can be considered safe.

Gross alpha/beta and radionuclide activity concentrations in soil, plant and some fruits around the Tehran Research Reactor.

Human activities usually have some contamination as effluents from chemical industries and radionuclides from nuclear reactors. For assessing the probable radioactive contamination in vicinity of Tehran Research Reactor, The gross alpha and beta radioactivity concentrations in soil, pine and cedar leaves and some selected fruits (fig, apple, berry and pomegranate) were investigated using an alpha/beta spectrometer during 2021-2022. Also, the concentrations of artificial and natural radionuclides in samples were investigated by the method of gamma spectroscopy. The gross alpha activity concentrations in soil, pine and cedar leaves and some selected fruits samples are from 0.05 to 0.35 Bq/gr and 0.07-0.31 Bq/gr and 0.04-0.18 Bq/gr, respectively. The gross beta activity concentrations in soil, pine and cedar leaves and some selected fruit samples are from 0.73 to 4.25 Bq/gr and 0.21-3.97 Bq/gr and 1.01-2.71 Bq/gr, respectively. Average activities concentration of natural radionuclide 232Th, 238U and 40K in soil, pine and cedar leaves and some selected fruits are 31.89-16.23-582.73 Bq/kg and 1.84-0.99-84.60 Bq/kg and 1.98-1.09-72.08 Bq/kg respectively. From artificial radionuclides, just 137Cs is recognized in soil sample and the range of 137Cs concentration in surface soils was observed to vary in the range 0.85-2.21 (Bq/kg). The result showed that the Tehran Research Reactor activities not have increased the environmental radioactivity and radiation level in the area.

Model prediction of radioactivity levels in the environment and food around the world's first AP 1000 nuclear power unit.

Objectives: Model prediction of radioactivity levels around nuclear facilities is a useful tool for assessing human health risks and environmental impacts. We aim to develop a model for forecasting radioactivity levels in the environment and food around the world's first AP 1000 nuclear power unit. Methods: In this work, we report a pilot study using time-series radioactivity monitoring data to establish Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) models for predicting radioactivity levels. The models were screened by Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC), and the model accuracy was evaluated by mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). Results: The optimal models, ARIMA (0, 0, 0) × (0, 1, 1)4, and ARIMA (4, 0, 1) were used to predict activity concentrations of 90Sr in food and cumulative ambient dose (CAD), respectively. From the first quarter (Q1) to the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2023, the predicted values of 90Sr in food and CAD were 0.067-0.77 Bq/kg, and 0.055-0.133 mSv, respectively. The model prediction results were in good agreement with the observation values, with MAPEs of 21.4 and 22.4%, respectively. From Q1 to Q4 of 2024, the predicted values of 90Sr in food and CAD were 0.067-0.77 Bq/kg and 0.067-0.129 mSv, respectively, which were comparable to values reported elsewhere. Conclusion: The ARIMA models developed in this study showed good short-term predictability, and can be used for dynamic analysis and prediction of radioactivity levels in environment and food around Sanmen Nuclear Power Plant.

Determination of 90Sr and 210Pb in food samples by liquid scintillation counting after sequential separation with an extraction chromatographic column.

90Sr and 210Pb are considered to be key radionuclides in internal exposure resulting from dietary intake, however, the established methods employed for their detection are time-comsuming. A method for the sequential separation of 90Sr and 210Pb using a Sr·spec resin by LSC measurement is developed, which is highly suitable for food safety monitoring as its minimal sample requirements. The sequential separation of Sr and Pb from the sample was using 0.05 mol/L HNO3 and 0.05 mol/L C6H5O7(NH4)3. The chemical recoveries of Sr and Pb measured using ICP-OES were 72-83% and 80-88%, respectively. The minimum detectable activities of 90Sr and 210Pb in the food sample were 36.2 mBq/kg and 28.6 mBq/kg, respectively, obtained from a 0.1 kg fresh sample and 300 min counting time. The method was validated using reference materials and compared with other methods. The feasibility of the developed method for other highly complex food matrices needs further investigation.

Evaluation of radiological health risk due to ingestion and inhalation of radon in commercial packaged fruit juices consumed in Turkey.

Fruit juices (FJs) are among the most popular beverages frequently preferred by consumers, believing FJs contain the nutritional values, minerals, phytochemicals, vitamins, and antioxidants necessary for a healthy life. However, FJs may contain natural radionuclides such as radon (222Rn), which originates from the fruit and water utilized in their production, at levels that may pose a health risk to people. Inhalation and ingestion of 222Rn gas increases the risk of lung and stomach cancer. In this study, commercially packaged FJs from the seventeen most popular brands consumed in Turkey were analyzed for physicochemical properties and 222Rn activity concentrations to evaluate the radiological health risk. The values of pH, brix and 222Rn activity concentrations in FJ samples varied from 2.68 to 4.28, 2.50 to 14.30%, 9.6 ± 1.1 to 25.2 ± 2.5 mBq/L, respectively. The radiological health risk caused by internal exposure was evaluated for children and adults by estimating the ingestion and inhalation annual effective dose. The average values of the total annual effective dose for children and adults were found as 0.039 µSv and 0.056 µSv, respectively, which are much lower than the recommended dose of 100 µSv for drinking water.

ON THE METHODOLOGY OF PASSPORT DOSES CALCULATION FOR UKRAINIAN SETTLEMENTS RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED DUE TO THE CHORNOBYL NPP ACCIDENT. / ЩОДО МЕТОДИКИ РОЗРАХУНКУ ПАСПОРТНИХ ДОЗ НАСЕЛЕНИХ ПУНКТІВ УКРАЇНИ, ЯКІ ЗАЗНАЛИ РАДІОАКТИВНОГО ЗАБРУДНЕННЯ В РЕЗУЛЬТАТІ АВАРІЇ НА ЧАЕС.

OBJECTIVE: scientific substantiation of the new methodology for estimation of passport doses of the settlementswhich belong to Zone of Unconditional (obligatory) Resettlement, or 2nd zone and Zone of Granted VoluntaryResettlement, or 3rd zone in the framework of dosimetric passportization in accordance with the legislation ofUkraine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 37 years after the accident, radioactive contamination of the environment has significantly decreased. However, it is still necessary to carry out ecological and dosimetric monitoring and apply countermeasures in certain territories of Ukraine affected by the accident at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant: restriction of the consumption of locally produced milk, forest products, etc. The methodology, which was since 1996 used to estimate the passport doses of Ukrainian settlements, no longer corresponds to the current level of scientific knowledge about radioactive contamination of environment. The new methods of passport doses calculating presented in the work involves the use of a model whose parameters are determined by the types, quality and completeness of radio-ecological and dosimetric monitoring carried out on the radioactively contaminated territories in 1986-2013. The methodology takes into account the specific of radioactive contamination of each settlement. The passport dose of external exposure is reconstructed only from 137Cs radionuclide, because the contributions of other Chornobyl radionuclides influence the radiation dose only in the first years after the accident. The passport dose of internal exposure is formed as a result of the consumption of 137Cs contaminated food products. It is calculated depending on the availability in the settlement in the current year of the results of measurements of the 137Cs radionuclide activity incorporated in the human body using a whole body counter (WBC) and the activity of 137Cs in the private milk. At the same time, priority is given precisely to the results of WBC measurements of 137Cs. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: A new methodology (Methodology-2023) for passport doses calculation of Ukrainian settlements was substantiated. A comparison of passport doses based on the results of radioecological and dosimetric monitoring in 2011 calculated by Methodology-2023 and passport doses calculated by Methodology-96 was made.Passport doses calculated by Methodology-2023 increased by 40 % on average compared to doses calculated by Methodology-96. At the same time, passport doses of internal radiation calculated by the new methodologyincreased by 1.5 times, and passport doses of external radiation increased by 1.7 times. The passport dose of 2011, calculated by Methodology-2023, exceeds the legally established limit of 1 mSv in 71 settlements, most of which are located in Korostenkyi raion of Zhytomyr Oblast.

Radioactive contamination in feral dogs in the Chernobyl exclusion zone: Population body-burden survey and implications for human radiation exposure.

This report describes a two-year effort to survey the internal 137Cs and external ß-emitter contamination present in the feral dog population near the Chernobyl nuclear power plant (ChNPP) site, and to understand the potential for human radiation exposure from this contamination. This work was performed as an integral part of the radiation safety and control procedures of an animal welfare oriented trap-neuter-release (TNR) program. The measurement program focused on external contamination surveys using handheld ß-sensitive probes, and internal contamination studies using a simple whole-body counter. Internal 137Cs burden was measured non-invasively during post-surgical observation and recovery. External ß contamination surveys performed during intake showed that 21/288 animals had significant, removable external contamination, though not enough to pose a large hazard for incidental contact. Measurements with the whole-body counter indicated internal 137Cs body burdens ranging from undetectable (minimum detection level ∼100 Bq/kg in 2017, ∼30 Bq/kg in 2018) to approximately 30,000 Bq/kg. A total of 33 animals had 137Cs body-burdens above 1 kBq/kg, though none posed an external exposure hazard. The large variation in the 137Cs concentration in these animals is not well-understood, could be due to prey selection, access to human food scraps, or extended residence in highly contaminated areas. The small minority of animals with external contamination may pose a contamination risk allowing exposures in excess of regulatory standards.

Applicability of non-destructive equipment for radioactivity measurement to screening radio-cesium in foods.

This study aimed to evaluate the applicability of non-destructive radioactivity measurement equipments for screening radio-cesium in whole foods without sample preparation procedures. Wild mushrooms and bamboo shoots were collected and studied using five different non-destructive radioactivity devices, and activity concentration was determined by conventional gamma-ray spectrometry using a Ge-detector. Linear regression analyses of activity concentrations were conducted and prediction intervals determined as uncertainties. Overall, non-destructive radioactivity measurement devices found to be suitable for screening radioactive cesium contamination in foods with an effective screening level.

Radiation dose and gene expression analysis of wild boar 10 years after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant accident.

The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident led to contamination with radioactive cesium in an extensive environment in Japan in 2011. We evaluated the concentration of radioactive cesium in the skeletal muscles of 22 wild boars and the expression of IFN-γ, TLR3, and CyclinG1 in the small intestine and compared them with those of wild boar samples collected from Hyogo prefecture. The average 137Cs radioactivity concentration in wild boars in the ex-evacuation zone was 470 Bq/kg. Most of samples still showed radioactivity concentration that exceeded the regulatory limit for foods, but the dose remarkably decreased compared with samples just after the accident. IFN-γ expression was significantly higher in wild boars in the ex-evacuation zone than in samples from Hyogo prefecture. TLR3 expression was also upregulated. CyclinG1 expression also tended to be high. Hence, wild boars might have received some effects of low-dose radiation, and immune cells were activated to some extent. However, pathological examination revealed no inflammatory cell infiltration or pathological damage in the small intestine of wild boars in the ex-evacuation area. Long-term monitoring would be necessary, but we consider that the living body responds appropriately to a stimulus from a contaminated environment.

Parameter Values for Estimation of Internal Doses from Ingestion of Radioactive Fallout from Nuclear Detonations.

ABSTRACT: This paper suggests values or probability distributions for a variety of parameters used in estimating internal doses from radioactive fallout due to ingestion of food. Parameters include those needed to assess the interception and initial retention of radionuclides by vegetation, translocation of deposited radionuclides to edible plant parts, root uptake by plants, transfer of radionuclides from vegetation into milk and meat, transfer of radionuclides into non-agricultural plants and wildlife, and transfer from food and drinking water to mother's milk (human breast milk). The paper includes discussions of the weathering half-life for contamination on plant surfaces, biological half-lives of organisms, food processing (culinary factors), and contamination of drinking water. As appropriate, and as information exists, parameter values or distributions are specific for elements, chemical forms, plant types, or other relevant characteristics. Information has been obtained from the open literature and from publications of the International Atomic Energy Agency. These values and probability distributions are intended to be generic; they should be reviewed for applicability to a given location, time period, or season of the year, as appropriate. In particular, agricultural practices and dietary habits may vary considerably both with geography and over time in a given location.

Effects of species and geo-information on the 137Cs concentrations in edible wild mushrooms and plants collected by residents after the Fukushima nuclear accident.

After the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP), much of the wild and edible mushrooms and plants in the surrounding areas were contaminated with radiocesium (137Cs). To elucidate their concentration characteristics, we analyzed 137Cs radioactivity data in edible forest products brought in for food inspection by the residents of Kawauchi Village, 12-30 km away from the FDNPP, from 2012 to 2019. A Bayesian model to estimate 137Cs concentration was constructed. Parameters of the normalized concentration of species (NCsp) for mushrooms were similar to those of the same species obtained in a previous study. Although NCsp values were highly varied among species, mycorrhizal mushrooms tended to have high NCsp values, followed by saprotrophic mushrooms, and wild edible plants values were low. Also, half of mycorrhizal mushroom species (8 of 16) showed an increasing trend in concentration with time; however, saprotrophic mushrooms and wild plants generally demonstrated a decreasing trend (22 of 24). The model considering the sub-village location information decreased the error of individual samples by 40% compared to the model not considering any location information, indicating that the detailed geo-information improved estimation accuracy. Our results indicate that the radioactivity data from samples collected by local residents can be used to accurately assess internal exposure to radiation due to self-consumption of contaminated wild mushrooms and plants.

Nutraceuticals as Potential Radionuclide Decorporation Agents.

Exposure of individuals to radioactive material as a result of ingestion of contaminated food and water is an increasing public health concern. Unfortunately, there are limited treatment modalities for dealing with these types of potentially toxic exposures. Recent research suggests that many plant-based nutraceuticals may possess metal-binding properties. This preliminary study investigated the ability of genistein, curcumin, quercetin, and lentinan to bind metals considered internal contamination risks, namely cesium, uranium, cobalt, and strontium, in a variety of matrices. The efficacy of these nutraceuticals in protecting cultured cells from metal-induced toxicity was also explored. Results showed that none of the compounds bound cesium or strontium. However, genistein, curcumin, and quercetin could bind uranium. Curcumin and quercetin also bound cobalt and could also protect cultured cells from metal-induced cytotoxicity. Lentinan did not bind any of the metals tested. Metal binding was also pH dependent, with no binding observed at lower pH values. This project showed that nutraceuticals could function as chelators for metals considered internal radionuclide contamination hazards. Further investigations are required in order to determine whether these compounds will become a new nontoxic arsenal of pharmaceutical compounds with which to treat radionuclide contamination.

Estimation of radiation dose from ingested tritium in humans by administration of deuterium-labelled compounds and food.

Radiation doses from organically bound tritium (OBT) in foods have been a major concern near nuclear facilities. The current dose coefficient for OBT is calculated using a standard model from the International Commission on Radiological Protection, in which some biokinetic values are not based on human metabolic data. Here, the biokinetics of ingested OBT, and radiation doses from them, were estimated by administering labelled compounds and foods to volunteers, using a deuterium (D) tracer as a substitute for tritium. After the administration of D-labelled glucose, alanine, palmitic acid, or soybean, the D/H ratios in urine were measured for up to 119 days, and the biokinetic parameter values were determined for OBT metabolism. The slow degradation rates of OBT could not be obtained, in many volunteers administered glucose and alanine. The estimated committed effective dose for 1 Bq of tritium in palmitic acid varied from 3.2 × 10-11 to 3.5 × 10-10 Sv Bq-1 among volunteers and, for those administered soybean, it varied from 1.9 × 10-11 to 1.8 × 10-10 Sv Bq-1. These results suggest that OBT, present in some ingested ingredients, gives higher doses than the current dose coefficient value of 4.2 × 10-11 Sv Bq-1.

Thyroid Doses to French Polynesians Resulting from Atmospheric Nuclear Weapons Tests: Estimates Based on Radiation Measurements and Population Lifestyle Data.

Thyroid doses were estimated for the subjects of a population-based case-control study of thyroid cancer in a population exposed to fallout after atmospheric nuclear weapons tests conducted in French Polynesia between 1966 and 1974. Thyroid doses due to (1) intake of I and of short-lived radioiodine isotopes (I, I, I) and Te, (2) external irradiation from gamma-emitting radionuclides deposited on the ground, and (3) ingestion of long-lived Cs with foodstuffs were reconstructed for each study subject. The dosimetry model that had been used in 2008 in Phase I of the study was substantially improved with (1) results of radiation monitoring of the environment and foodstuffs, which became available in 2013 for public access, and (2) historical data on population lifestyle related to the period of the tests, which were collected in 2016-2017 using focus-group discussions and key informant interviews. The mean thyroid dose among the study subjects was found to be around 5 mGy while the highest dose was estimated to be around 36 mGy. Doses from I intake ranged up to 27 mGy, while those from intake of short-lived iodine isotopes (I, I, I) and Te ranged up to 14 mGy. Thyroid doses from external exposure ranged up to 6 mGy, and those from internal exposure due to Cs ingestion did not exceed 1 mGy. Intake of I was found to be the main pathway for thyroid exposure accounting for 72% of the total dose. Results of this study are being used to evaluate the risk of thyroid cancer among the subjects of the epidemiologic study of thyroid cancer among French Polynesians.

Determination of Organically Bound Tritium (OBT) Concentration in Fish by Thermal Oxidation and Liquid Scintillation Counting Method.

Effluents containing tritium (H) dispersed into the fresh water or marine environment from nuclear facilities can be taken up by biota. Aquatic and marine organisms are among the important pathways through which tritium can enter into the human body, and hence, assessment of the extent of pollution of these ecosystems is very important for radiation dose assessments. Tritium present in environmental matrices can be classified as tissue-free water tritium (TFWT) and organically bound tritium (OBT). Optimization of a method for the determination of OBT in fish, based on thermal oxidation of the sample, is discussed. Samples were subjected to thermal oxidation in a pyrolyser system, and the water produced from the combustion was analyzed by liquid scintillation spectrometry. Results show that a maximum of ~2 g of processed fish sample can be combusted efficiently in the pyrolyser. Using this method, a recovery of 84% was achieved, and minimum detectable activity (MDA) for the method was determined to be 8.5 Bq kg (sample weight = 2 g, counting time = 30,000 s, and detection efficiency = 20%).