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Adaptation of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans towards NM300K silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) has previously been demonstrated. In the current study, the sensitivity to a range of secondary stressors (CeO2 NP, Ce3+, Cu2+, Cd2+, and Paraquat) following the multigenerational exposure to silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs NM300K) or AgNO3 was investigated. This revealed improved tolerance to the ROS inducer Paraquat with higher fecundity after pre-exposure to Ag NP, indicating an involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism in the adaptive response to NM300K. The potential contribution of the antioxidant defenses related to adaptive responses was investigated across six generations of exposure using the sod-1::GFP reporter (GA508), and the Grx1-roGFP2 (GRX) biosensor strains. Results showed an increase in sod-1 expression by the F3 generation, accompanied by a reduction of GSSG/GSH ratios, from both AgNO3 and Ag NP exposures. Continuous exposure to AgNO3 and Ag NP until the F6 generation resulted in a decreased sod-1 expression, with a concomitant increase in GSSG/GSH ratios. The results thus show that despite an initial enhancement, the continuous exposure to Ag caused a severe impairment of the antioxidant defense capacity in C. elegans.
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Coordination of public communication has become a key issue in management of complex emergencies, and is a matter of debate between nuclear emergency management professionals. A particular problem is when inconsistent information is sent to the media and public by official sources from different levels, which has led to calls for a more coordinated approach. The IAEA created guidelines recommending a one-voice communication approach that provides clear, consistent and coordinated information by relevant stakeholders. The reviewed theory on the emergency communication coordination and the empirical results in this paper demonstrate some challenges regarding the feasibility of the above stated goal. This paper explores the communication process in the two-month period of the Fukushima nuclear emergency by using a quantitative comparative content and discourse analysis of 1340 printed media articles on the Fukushima nuclear disaster from two major newspapers in Spain ('El País' and 'El Mundo'), Italy ('Corriere della Sera' and 'La Repubblica'), Norway ('Aftenposten' and 'Dagsavisen'), Slovenia ('Delo' and 'Vecer'), Belgium ('Le Soir' and 'De Standaard') and Russia ('Komsomolskaya Pravda' and 'Izvestiya'). The results show that it will be difficult to achieve a truly coordinated approach and one-voice communication in severe nuclear and radiological emergency due to the communication difficulties created by the dispersion of information sources, a broad and dispersed focus of the reported information, partially subjective and conflicting media reporting. The paper suggests ways to improve public communication coordination in nuclear and radiological disasters.
Assuntos
Acidente Nuclear de Fukushima , Disseminação de Informação/métodos , Meios de Comunicação de Massa , Guias como Assunto , HumanosRESUMO
Any activity that might result in exposure of a population to contaminants requires communication of the associated risks. This communication is complicated by several factors including public perceptions, distrust, uncertainties in risk assessment and news media. These factors are especially prominent in communication of risks from ionizing radiation. A number of guidelines about the communication of risks related to radiation exposures have been made by national and international authorities and other stakeholders. The present paper investigates whether those guidelines were followed and evaluates how the radiation risk related information was presented in European newspapers and Russia in the aftermath of the Fukushima accident. It examines the use of measurement units and risk comparisons, the quality of the statements on radiation risk related issues and the use of visual materials in 1340 newspaper articles from Belgium, Italy, Norway, Russia, Slovenia and Spain. Our results indicated several misinterpretations and misrepresentations of radiological risks in the newspaper articles. We also show an inconsistency in the information that was reported with advice provided to risk communicators (e.g. authorities and experts) in the guidelines. The results suggest that risk communicators should improve their communication practices regarding radiological risks, in order to improve emergency management response.
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This paper starts with a brief history of the birth of the field of radioecology during the Cold War with a focus on US activity. We review the establishment of the international system for radiation protection and the science underlying the guidelines. We then discuss the famous ICRP 60 statement that if "Man" is protected, so is everything else and show how this led to a focus in radioecology on pathways to "Man" rather than concern about impacts on environments or ecosystems. We then review the contributions of Radiation Research Society members and papers published in Radiation Research which contributed to the knowledge base about effects on non-human species. These fed into international databases and computer-based tools such as ERICA and ResRad Biota to guide regulators. We then examine the origins of the concern that ICRP 60 is not sufficient to protect ecosystems and discuss the establishment of ICRP Committee 5 and its recommendations to establish reference animals and plants. The review finishes with current concerns that reference animals and plants (RAPs) are not sufficient to protect ecosystems, given the complexity of interacting factors such as the climate emergency and discusses the efforts of ICRP, the International Union of Radioecologists and other bodies to capture the concepts of ecosystem services and ecosystem complexity modelling in radioecology.
Assuntos
Ecologia , Proteção Radiológica , História do Século XX , História do Século XXI , Humanos , Animais , Proteção Radiológica/história , EcossistemaRESUMO
The aim of this study was to assess the exposures received by firefighters engaged in extinguishing the large-scale wildfires in the most contaminated areas of the Ukrainian part of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone in 2016 and 2020. The assessments are based on measurements of radionuclide airborne concentrations in the breathing zones of workers and at the aerosol sampling stations of the automated radiation monitoring system operated by SSE Ecocenter. During the wildfires, the radionuclide airborne concentrations increased by orders of magnitude compared to the background levels, reaching maximum values in the firefighting area of 1.20 ± 0.01 Bq m-3 for 90Sr, 0.18 ± 0.01 Bq m-3 for 137Cs, (1.8 ± 0.3) â10-4 Bq m-3 for 238Pu, (4.5 ± 0.7) â10-4 Bq m-3 for 239-240Pu, and (8.0 ± 1.3) â10-3 Bq m-3 for 241Pu. The internal effective doses to firefighters due to inhaled radionuclides did not exceed 2 µSv h-1 and were 3-5 times lower compared to the external dose of gamma radiation. Thus, the time of firefighting in the ChEZ will be limited by the external dose.
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Poluentes Radioativos do Ar , Acidente Nuclear de Chernobyl , Bombeiros , Monitoramento de Radiação , Incêndios Florestais , Humanos , Poluentes Radioativos do Ar/análiseRESUMO
The role of insects in the transfer of radionuclides has received little attention, despite their key role in nutrient cycling within ecosystems. In this study, we investigated the trophic food chain transfer of radiocaesium (137Cs) from reindeer meat to the blowfly Calliphora vicina (Robineau-Desvoidy) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and further from blowfly pupae to the parasitoid wasp Nasonia vitripennis (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae). Radiocaesium was transferred to blowfly larvae during their feeding stage, with the highest whole-organism to food source concentration ratios (CRwo-fs) being found in actively feeding third instar blowfly larvae, with CRwo-fs in the range of 0.68-0.90. CRwo-fs in blowfly larvae at later developmental stages (i.e., post-feeding stage, prepupal stage, pupal stage, and adult stage) were significantly lower, with CRwo-fs in adult flies in the range of 0.07-0.10. Modelling of the data indicated that >70 % of the radiocaesium present in third instar feeding stage larvae was removed exponentially with excreta prior to pupariation. Furthermore, on average 49 % of the radiocaesium activity concentration assimilated in the metamorphing blowfly pupa was retained in the pupal case after the adult blowfly had emerged. When blowfly pupae were parasitised by parasitoid wasps, a greater proportion of radiocaesium was retained in the parasitised pupal case, with only 2-3 % of the activity concentration in the meat being found in the wasps, providing further evidence to support that radiocaesium is biodiluted in insect food chains. Our results indicate that carcass decomposition driven by insects directly affects the fate of radiocaesium retained in vertebrate carcasses and we discuss these findings in connection to radiocaesium cycling and dispersion in terrestrial ecosystems.
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Dípteros , Rena , Vespas , Animais , Calliphoridae , Cadeia Alimentar , Ecossistema , Larva , Pupa , CarneRESUMO
The objective of this paper is to present the results of discussions at a workshop held as part of the International Congress of Radiation Research (Environmental Health stream) in Manchester UK, 2019. The main objective of the workshop was to provide a platform for radioecologists to engage with radiobiologists to address major questions around developing an Ecosystem approach in radioecology and radiation protection of the environment. The aim was to establish a critical framework to guide research that would permit integration of a pan-ecosystem approach into radiation protection guidelines and regulation for the environment. The conclusions were that the interaction between radioecologists and radiobiologists is useful in particular in addressing field versus laboratory issues where there are issues and challenges in designing good field experiments and a need to cross validate field data against laboratory data and vice versa. Other main conclusions were that there is a need to appreciate wider issues in ecology to design good approaches for an ecosystems approach in radioecology and that with the capture of 'Big Data', novel tools such as machine learning can now be applied to help with the complex issues involved in developing an ecosystem approach.
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Proteção Radiológica , Ecologia , EcossistemaRESUMO
Adverse health outcomes of ionizing radiation given chronically at low dose rates are highly debated, a controversy also relevant for other stressors. Increased knowledge is needed for a more comprehensive understanding of the damaging potential of ionizing radiation from all dose rates and doses. There is a lack of relevant low dose rate data that is partly ascribed to the rarity of exposure facilities allowing chronic low dose rate exposures. Using the FIGARO facility, we assessed early (one day post-radiation) and late (recovery time of 100-200 days) hepatic genome-wide transcriptional profiles in male mice of two strains (CBA/CaOlaHsd and C57BL/6NHsd) exposed chronically to a low dose rate (2.5 mGy/h; 1200h, LDR), a mid-dose rate (10 mGy/h; 300h, MDR) and acutely to a high dose rate (100 mGy/h; 30h, HDR) of gamma irradiation, given to an equivalent total dose of 3 Gy. Dose-rate and strain-specific transcriptional responses were identified. Differently modulated transcriptional responses across all dose rate exposure groups were evident by the representation of functional biological pathways. Evidence of changed epigenetic regulation (global DNA methylation) was not detected. A period of recovery markedly reduced the number of differentially expressed genes. Using enrichment analysis to identify the functional significance of the modulated genes, perturbed signaling pathways associated with both cancer and non-cancer effects were observed, such as lipid metabolism and inflammation. These pathways were seen after chronic low dose rate and were not restricted to the acute high dose rate exposure. The transcriptional response induced by chronic low dose rate ionizing radiation suggests contribution to conditions such as cardiovascular diseases. We contribute with novel genome wide transcriptional data highlighting dose-rate-specific radiation responses and emphasize the importance of considering both dose rate, duration of exposure, and variability in susceptibility when assessing risks from ionizing radiation.
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Raios gama , Radiação Ionizante , Transcrição Gênica/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Metilação de DNA/efeitos da radiação , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Camundongos Endogâmicos CBA , Estresse Oxidativo/efeitos da radiação , Doses de RadiaçãoRESUMO
A study of transfer of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM), thorium, uranium and their progeny, from soil to wild plant species was performed to evaluate the environmental impact in an area of enhanced natural and legacy radioactivity in Norway. Three sites were chosen for the study: NORM legacy mining, undisturbed 232Th-rich site and reference site. Tissue concentrations, transfer factors and radiation exposure doses were determined in nine wild plant species. High soil activity concentrations of NORM, statistically indistinguishable, were measured at legacy NORM and undisturbed 232Th-rich sites, respectively, while soil from the reference site exhibited a statistically lower activity concentration. Heterogeneous soil radionuclide distributions were observed. The mobile soil fraction of investigated radionuclides was significantly lower, but properly reflected in measured plant uptake. Plant tissue activity concentrations of NORM were significantly higher at both investigated 232Th-rich sites in comparison to the reference site and varied per plant species and analyzed radionuclide, for instance, from non-detectable 232Th in tree needles and leaves to significantly elevated values of measured 210Po in lichens. As expected, plant roots served as a natural translocation barrier, as the concentration of radionuclides in the analyzed samples was up to 88-fold higher than that in the corresponding aboveground plants. Transfer factors for 232Th, 238U, 226,228Ra and 210Po in the aboveground plants ranged broadly from 4 × 10-5 to 1 × 10-2; 1 × 10-4 to 4 × 10-2, 1.07 × 10-3 to 1.08; 2.18 × 10-2 to 9.53 × 10-2 and 9.18 × 10-2 to 9.69, respectively. Radiological exposure dose rates, calculated using the ERICA tool and site-specific data, were from 1 to 23 µGy h-1. Due to elevated NORM levels in analyzed plants, measured radiation exposure dose rates were higher than those of worldwide background biota. Still, the uptake of NORM, demonstrated in the current study, is not expected to cause significant changes at population levels in wild plant species.
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Florestas , Poluentes Radioativos do Solo , Plantas , Polônio , Radioatividade , Radioisótopos , Rádio (Elemento) , Solo , Poluentes Radioativos do Solo/análise , Tório , UrânioRESUMO
The current study provides an in vivo analysis of the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans following exposure to EU reference silver nanoparticles NM300K and AgNO3. Induction of antioxidant defenses was measured through the application of a SOD-1 reporter, and the HyPer and GRX biosensor strains to monitor changes in the cellular redox state. Both forms of Ag resulted in an increase in sod-1 expression, elevated H2O2 levels and an imbalance in the cellular GSSG/GSH redox status. Microscopy analysis of the strains revealed that AgNO3 induced ROS-related effects in multiple tissues, including the pharynx, intestinal cells and muscle tissues. In contrast, NM300K resulted in localized ROS production and oxidative stress, specifically in tissues surrounding the intestinal lumen. This indicates that Ag from AgNO3 exposure was readily transported across the whole body, while Ag or ROS from NM300K exposure was predominantly confined within the luminal tissues. Concentrations resulting in an increase in ROS production and changes in GSSG/GSH ratio were in line with the levels associated with observed physiological toxic effects. However, sod-1 was not induced at the lowest Ag concentrations, although reprotoxicity was seen at these levels. While both forms of Ag caused oxidative stress, impaired development, and reprotoxicity, the results suggest different involvement of ROS production to the toxic effects of AgNO3versus NM300K.
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Nanopartículas Metálicas , Prata , Animais , Caenorhabditis elegans , Peróxido de Hidrogênio , Oxirredução , Estresse Oxidativo , Espécies Reativas de Oxigênio , Nitrato de PrataRESUMO
Silver, known for its antibacterial properties and for its toxicity to aquatic organisms, is one of the most frequently used nanomaterials and silver nanoparticles can be found in a range of consumer products as well as medical applications. The present study investigated the toxicity of three different silver nanomaterials (Mesosilver (M-Ag), NM300K and NM302) and AgNO3, in the algae Raphidocelis subcapitata. Exposures in the low µg L-1 range were combined with characterization of exposure media to determine whether differences in toxicity could be linked to changes in Ag speciation and/or any nanospecific mechanisms. All tested Ag compounds, except the NM302, reduced growth in the following order AgNO3â¯≥â¯M-Agâ¯>â¯NM300Kâ¯>â¯NM302 with 50% effect concentrations of 7.09 (3.83-10.52), 9.7 (range not calculated) and 24.18 (15.66-98.16) µg L-1, for AgNO3, Mesosilver and NM300K, respectively. Characterization of exposure media showed that both concentration and time influenced the speciation and stability of Ag in algal test media, regardless of Ag source, and also affected the toxicity to R. subcapitata. In both AgNO3 and Mesosilver exposure the toxicity was correlated with the presence of dissolved Ag species (<10â¯kDa), however levels of dissolved Ag were too low to account for the observed Mesosilver effects, indicating a nanospecific contribution. Nanospecific toxicity was also observed for NM300K after 24â¯h of exposure, however the algal population recovered over time, probably due to changes in exposure caused by aggregation of the nanoparticles.
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Clorófitas/efeitos dos fármacos , Nanopartículas Metálicas/toxicidade , Prata/toxicidade , Animais , Clorófitas/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Nitrato de Prata/toxicidade , SolubilidadeRESUMO
Toxic effects of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are, in most cases, measured within a single generation, while information regarding multigenerational exposure remains scarce. The current study assessed changes in toxic response (reproduction, fertility, and development) towards Ag NPs (NM300K; uncoated, 16.7 ± 6.5 nm) compared to AgNO3 over six generations, following chronic exposure of the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. This revealed that AgNO3 exposure was associated with no changes in susceptibility to Ag. In contrast, multigenerational exposure to sub-lethal concentrations of Ag NPs resulted in persistent delayed development, but rendered increased tolerance to Ag NP with respect to fertility and fecundity. The results thus permit inference of a difference in toxic mode of action of the two forms of Ag, which instigate different response patterns. Results reveal a novel mechanism for the adaptation toward Ag NPs, where increased reproductive fitness occurs at the expense of somatic growth. This adaptive mechanism was, however associated with increased susceptibility to AgNO3 with respect to growth, fertility and reproduction. The current study thus demonstrates that a nano-specific resistance can be developed by C. elegans. Importantly, this adaptation renders increased vulnerability to another environmental stressor, and thus exposure to a second contaminant could be detrimental to such populations.
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Adaptação Fisiológica/efeitos dos fármacos , Caenorhabditis elegans/efeitos dos fármacos , Nanopartículas Metálicas/toxicidade , Nitrato de Prata/toxicidade , Prata/toxicidade , Animais , Fertilidade/efeitos dos fármacos , Nanopartículas Metálicas/química , Reprodução/efeitos dos fármacos , Prata/química , Propriedades de SuperfícieRESUMO
The current study investigated life stage, tissue and cell dependent sensitivity to ionizing radiation of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Results showed that irradiation of post mitotic L4 stage larvae induced no significant effects with respect to mortality, morbidity or reproduction at either acute dose ≤6â¯Gy (1500â¯mGy·h-1) or chronic exposure ≤15â¯Gy (≤100â¯mGy·h-1). In contrast, chronic exposure from the embryo to the L4-young adult stage caused a dose and dose-rate dependent reprotoxicity with 43% reduction in total brood size at 6.7â¯Gy (108â¯mGy·h-1). Systematic irradiation of the different developmental stages showed that the most sensitive life stage was L1 to young L4. Exposure during these stages was associated with dose-rate dependent genotoxic effects, resulting in a 1.8 to 2 fold increase in germ cell apoptosis in larvae subjected to 40 or 100â¯mGy·h-1, respectively. This was accompanied by a dose-rate dependent reduction in the number of spermatids, which was positively correlated to the reprotoxic effect (0.99, PCC). RNAseq analysis of nematodes irradiated from L1 to L4 stage revealed a significant enrichment of differentially expressed genes related to both male and hermaphrodite reproductive processes. Gene network analysis revealed effects related to down-regulation of genes required for spindle formation and sperm meiosis/maturation, including smz-1, smz-2 and htas-1. Furthermore, the expression of a subset of 28 set-17 regulated Major Sperm Proteins (MSP) required for spermatid production was correlated (R2 0.80) to the reduction in reproduction and the number of spermatids. Collectively these observations corroborate the impairment of spermatogenesis as the major cause of gamma radiation induced life-stage dependent reprotoxic effect. Furthermore, the progeny of irradiated nematodes showed significant embryonal DNA damage that was associated with persistent effect on somatic growth. Unexpectedly, these nematodes maintained much of their reproductive capacity in spite of the reduced growth.
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Caenorhabditis elegans/fisiologia , Caenorhabditis elegans/efeitos da radiação , Raios gama , Animais , Apoptose , Dano ao DNA , Larva , Radiação Ionizante , Reprodução , Espermatogênese/efeitos da radiaçãoRESUMO
Ionizing radiation is a recognized genotoxic agent, however, little is known about the role of the functional form of DNA in these processes. Post translational modifications on histone proteins control the organization of chromatin and hence control transcriptional responses that ultimately affect the phenotype. The purpose of this study was to investigate effects on chromatin caused by ionizing radiation in fish. Direct exposure of zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos to gamma radiation (10.9 mGy/h for 3h) induced hyper-enrichment of H3K4me3 at the genes hnf4a, gmnn and vegfab. A similar relative hyper-enrichment was seen at the hnf4a loci of irradiated Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) embryos (30 mGy/h for 10 days). At the selected genes in ovaries of adult zebrafish irradiated during gametogenesis (8.7 and 53 mGy/h for 27 days), a reduced enrichment of H3K4me3 was observed, which was correlated with reduced levels of histone H3 was observed. F1 embryos of the exposed parents showed hyper-methylation of H3K4me3, H3K9me3 and H3K27me3 on the same three loci, while these differences were almost negligible in F2 embryos. Our results from three selected loci suggest that ionizing radiation can affect chromatin structure and organization, and that these changes can be detected in F1 offspring, but not in subsequent generations.
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Raios gama/efeitos adversos , Loci Gênicos/efeitos da radiação , Código das Histonas/efeitos da radiação , Salmo salar/genética , Peixe-Zebra/genética , Animais , Desenvolvimento Embrionário/genética , Desenvolvimento Embrionário/efeitos da radiação , Gametogênese/efeitos da radiação , Loci Gênicos/genética , Histonas/química , Histonas/metabolismo , Lisina/metabolismo , Metilação/efeitos da radiação , Salmo salar/embriologia , Salmo salar/fisiologia , Peixe-Zebra/embriologia , Peixe-Zebra/fisiologiaRESUMO
Using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism, we addressed the potential linkage among toxicity of NM300K Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs), their particle size distribution, and the presence of dissolved Ag in the test media. Of the 3 endpoints assessed (growth, fertility, and reproduction), reproduction was the most sensitive, with the 50% effect concentration (EC50) ranging from 0.26 to 0.84 mg Ag L-1 and 0.08 to 0.11 mg Ag L-1 for NM300K and AgNO3 , respectively. Silver uptake by C. elegans was similar for both forms of Ag, whereas bioaccumulation was higher in AgNO3 exposure. The observed differences in toxicity between NM300K and AgNO3 did not correlate with bioaccumulated Ag, which suggests that toxicity is a function of the type of exposing agent (AgNPs vs AgNO3 ) and its mode of action. Before addition of the food source (Escherichia coli), size fractionation revealed that dissolved Ag comprised 13 to 90% and 4 to 8% of total Ag in the AgNO3 and NM300K treatments, respectively. No dissolved Ag was detectable in the actual test media due to immediate Ag adsorption to bacteria. The results of the present study indicate that information on behavior and characterization of exposure conditions is essential for nanotoxicity studies. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:1799-1810. © 2018 SETAC.
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Caenorhabditis elegans/efeitos dos fármacos , Nanopartículas Metálicas/toxicidade , Prata/toxicidade , Testes de Toxicidade , Animais , Caenorhabditis elegans/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Difusão Dinâmica da Luz , Exposição Ambiental/análise , Escherichia coli/efeitos dos fármacos , Fertilidade/efeitos dos fármacos , Nanopartículas Metálicas/ultraestrutura , Tamanho da Partícula , Reprodução/efeitos dos fármacos , Nitrato de Prata/toxicidade , SuspensõesRESUMO
Eisenia fetida were exposed continuously to (60)Co gamma radiation during two generations (F(0) and F(1)). Adult F(0) reproduction capacity (i.e., number of cocoons produced, hatchability and number of F(1) hatchlings) in controls and at five dose rates (0.18, 1.7, 4, 11 and 43 mGy/h) was measured over a 13-week exposure period. Survival, growth and sexual maturation of F(1) hatchlings were observed for 11 weeks. F(1) adults were exposed for a further 13 weeks to determine their reproduction capacity. There was no radiation-induced effect on the cocoon production rate in either F(0) or F(1). For F(0), hatchability of cocoons produced during the first 4 weeks was reduced to 60% at 43 mGy/h (98% in controls), and none of the cocoons produced at 5-13 weeks hatched. At 11 mGy/h the cocoon hatchability was reduced to 25% at 9-13 weeks. In addition, the number of hatchlings per hatched cocoon was reduced at 11 and 43 mGy/h. Correspondingly, at these dose rates, the total number of F(1) hatchlings per adult F(0) was significantly lower than in the control. This number was also reduced at 4 mGy/h, but the effect was of borderline significance. For adult F(1), the hatchability of cocoons at 11 mGy/h was reduced to 45-69% during the 13-week exposure period. The number of hatchlings (F(2)) per cocoon and the total number of F(2) individuals produced was also reduced. However, and in contrast to the results observed for F(0), hatchability increased with time, suggesting a possible acclimatization or adaptation of the F(1) individuals. In conclusion, chronic irradiation reduced the reproduction capacity of E. fetida, but extensive exposure periods (13 weeks) were needed for these effects to be expressed. The lowest dose rates at which an effect was observed were 4 mGy/h in F(0) and 11 mGy/h in F(1).
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Oligoquetos/fisiologia , Oligoquetos/efeitos da radiação , Animais , Relação Dose-Resposta à Radiação , Raios gama , Larva/fisiologia , Larva/efeitos da radiação , Doses de Radiação , Reprodução/fisiologia , Reprodução/efeitos da radiação , Sobrevida , Taxa de SobrevidaRESUMO
In recent years, developments in ICP-MS have led to improved methods for determination of long-lived radionuclides. This paper reports the use of NH(4)OH as a matrix modifier and ETV sample introduction for the determination of technetium-99 ((99)Tc) in a variety of environmental and biological samples, using Re as carrier and (99m)Tc as yield monitor in the chemical separation method. Addition of an excess of NH(4)OH led to a stable (99)Tc signal, reduced memory effect, better reproducibility and reduced detection limits. Following radiochemical separation of (99)Tc from the sample matrix, detection limits in the order of a few microBq have been achieved. ETV has also proved applicable for rapid, direct analysis of a number of environmental samples having relatively high concentrations of (99)Tc (sediment extracts and river water close to nuclear installations). However, in this case, control of matrix effects (signal reduction and enhancement) using standard additions is necessary.
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Hidróxidos/química , Espectrometria de Massas/métodos , Tecnécio/análise , Hidróxido de Amônia , Monitoramento Ambiental/métodos , Poluentes Ambientais/análise , Poluentes Ambientais/química , Poluentes Radioativos/análise , Poluentes Radioativos/química , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Tecnécio/químicaRESUMO
This paper presents the results of a large study of 1340 articles published by two major newspapers in six European countries (Belgium, Italy, Norway, Slovenia, Spain and Russia) in the first 2 months after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. The focus of the analysis is on the application and overall impact of protective actions, both during the emergency phase and later, how the newspapers describe those actions, which differences were apparent between countries and what recommendations can be extracted in order to improve general communication about these issues. A clear lesson is that, even under uncertainty and recognising limitations, responsible authorities need to provide transparent, clear and understandable information to the public and the mass media right from the beginning of the early phase of any nuclear emergency. Clear, concise messages should be given. Mass media could play a key role in reassuring the public if the countermeasures are clearly explained.
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Acidente Nuclear de Fukushima , Meios de Comunicação de Massa , Bélgica , Comunicação , Revelação , Europa (Continente) , Humanos , Itália , Noruega , Federação Russa , Eslovênia , EspanhaRESUMO
Risk estimates for radiation-induced cancer in humans are based on epidemiological data largely drawn from the Japanese atomic bomb survivor studies, which received an acute high dose rate (HDR) ionising radiation. Limited knowledge exists about the effects of chronic low dose rate (LDR) exposure, particularly with respect to the application of the dose and dose rate effectiveness factor. As part of a study to investigate the development of colon cancer following chronic LDR vs. acute HDR radiation, this study presents the results of genotoxic effects in blood of exposed mice. CBAB6 F1 Apc+/+ (wild type) and ApcMin/+ mice were chronically exposed to estimated whole body absorbed doses of 1.7 or 3.2 Gy 60 Co-γ-rays at a LDR (2.2 mGy h-1 ) or acutely exposed to 2.6 Gy HDR X-rays (1.3 Gy min-1 ). Genotoxic endpoints assessed in blood included chromosomal damage (flow cytometry based micronuclei (MN) assay), mutation analyses (Pig-a gene mutation assay), and levels of DNA lesions (Comet assay, single-strand breaks (ssb), alkali labile sites (als), oxidized DNA bases). Ionising radiation (ca. 3 Gy) induced genotoxic effects dependent on the dose rate. Chromosomal aberrations (MN assay) increased 3- and 10-fold after chronic LDR and acute HDR, respectively. Phenotypic mutation frequencies as well as DNA lesions (ssb/als) were modulated after acute HDR but not after chronic LDR. The ApcMin/+ genotype did not influence the outcome in any of the investigated endpoints. The results herein will add to the scant data available on genotoxic effects following chronic LDR of ionising radiation. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 58:560-569, 2017. © 2017 The Authors Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Environmental Mutagen Society.