Effective Doses of Ionizing Radiation during Therapeutic Peat Mud Treatment from a Deposit in the Knyszyn Forest (Northeastern Poland).

Radioactivity measurements of 61 therapeutic peat mud samples from the Podsokoldy deposits, near Suprasl, were performed using gamma spectrometry. The authors identified the presence of 13 isotopes with the arithmetic mean of activity (in Bq kg-1): 137Cs-7, 40K-24, 208Tl-1, 212Bi-3, 212Pb-2, 228Ac-2, 210Pb-33, 214Bi-11, 214Pb-11, 226Ra-53, 234Th-47. The effective dose obtained during treatment with 15 peat mud baths (lasting 30 min) was 0.078 µSv. Use of peat mud compresses in the same number and period of exposure to the entire body surface caused absorption of a dose of 0.153 µSv. The authors discuss the probability of tissue radiation from isotopes present in the peat mud. In light of radiobiological knowledge, the therapeutic effect of ionizing radiation during peat mud therapy appears to be very unlikely.

Plutonium and thorium isotopes in the bottom sediments of some Mazurian Lakes (Poland).

Presented are results on the Pu and Th isotopes activity concentration found in the upper part of bottom sediments collected from a deep part of 29 lakes in N-E Poland by diving in 2000. Analyses of Pu isotopic ratios allowed for the discussion of Pu origin. Maximum percentage of 239+240Pu activity from Chernobyl fallout was 24%. Surface deposition of 239+240Pu was calculated. No relationship was found between the plutonium and main chemical matrix components of sample nor with the trophic status of the lake. Pu activities were weakly correlated with measured previously 137Cs activities.

7Be concentration in the near-surface layer of the air in Bialystok (north-eastern Poland) in the years 1992-2010.

Weekly measurements of air 7Be concentrations (n = 769) were performed in the years 1992-2010 in Bialystok (north-eastern Poland) using gamma spectrometry. The arithmetic mean (AM) concentration of 7Be was 2.51 mBq m-3, and the median (M) was 2.24 mBq m-3 (range 0.47-7.81 mBq m-3). The observed 7Be concentrations were within the range of levels recorded in Europe. Typical seasonal variability was observed. Concentrations of 7Be in the warm season (May, June, July) were almost twice as high as those in the cold season (November, December, January). A correlation was found between weekly 7Be concentrations and mean weekly values of relative humidity, temperature, and wind speed throughout the observation period. Pearson's correlation coefficients were -0.63, p < 0.001; 0.477, p < 0.001; -0.288, p < 0.001, respectively. The correlation coefficient between sunspot number and mean annual 7Be concentrations in the air in the years 1992-2010 was -0.609.

Radioactivity of natural medicinal preparations contained extracts from peat mud available in retail trade used externally.

In this work were identified and measured the activity of radioactive isotopes present in medicinal preparations from peat mud and estimated the doses obtained from them during therapy. Radioactivity of 22 preparations from peat mud and 20 water samples from water of the North-East region of Poland was studied. The median of the total activity was 24.8 Bq kg-1. Total maximal isotope activity was observed in the Iwonicka Cube 146 Bq kg-1 while considerable amounts of isotopes were found in the Kolobrzeska Peat Mud Paste 112 Bq kg-1. The doses obtained during therapy were within the range of 11 nSv-13 µSv depending on extracts of medicinal preparations from peat mud. The probability that such a small dose would stimulate biological effects is low. However, some clinicians believe that one of the possible therapeutic mechanisms in the treatment of rheumatoid disorders is the induction of immune response by ionising radiation.

Plutonium isotopes in the atmosphere of Central Europe: Isotopic composition and time evolution vs. circulation factors.

This paper reports evidence of Pu isotopes in the lower part of the troposphere of Central Europe. The data were obtained based on atmospheric aerosol fraction samples collected from four places in three countries (participating in the informal European network known as the Ring of Five (Ro5)) forming a cell with a surface area of about 200,000km(2). We compared our original data sets from Krakow (Poland, 1990-2007) and Bialystok (Poland, 1991-2007) with the results from two other locations, Prague (Czech Republic; 1997-2004) and Braunschweig (Germany; 1990-2003) to find time evolution of the Pu isotopes. The levels of the activity concentration for (238)Pu and for ((239+240))Pu were estimated to be a few and some tens of nBqm(-3), respectively. However, we also noted some results were much higher (even about 70 times higher) than the average concentration of (238)Pu in the atmosphere. The achieved complex data sets were used to test a new approach to the problem of solving mixing isotopic traces from various sources (here up to three) in one sample. Results of our model, supported by mesoscale atmospheric circulation parameters, suggest that Pu from nuclear weapon accidents or tests and nuclear burnt-up fuel are present in the air.

Radioactivity of peat mud used in therapy.

The aim of the study was to determine the contents of natural and artificial isotopes in peat mud and to estimate the radiation dose absorbed via skin in patients during standard peat mud treatment. The analysis included 37 samples collected from 8 spas in Poland. The measurements of isotope concentration activity were conducted with the use of gamma spectrometry methods. The skin dose in a standard peat mud bath therapy is approximately 300 nSv. The effective dose of such therapy is considered to be 22 nSv. The doses absorbed during peat mud therapy are 5 orders of magnitude lower than effective annual dose absorbed from the natural radiation background by a statistical Pole (3.5 mSv). Neither therapeutic nor harmful effect is probable in case of such a small dose of ionising radiation.

Time-dependence of ¹³7Cs activity concentration in wild game meat in Knyszyn Primeval Forest (Poland).

Wild game meat samples were analysed from the region of the Podlasie province (Knyszyn Primeval Forest). (137)Cs content in meat was determined by gamma spectrometry in 2003 (33 samples), 2009 (22 samples) and 2012 (26 samples). The samples were collected in the autumn of 2003, 2009 and 2012 and were compared with data from 1996. Mean concentrations of (137)Cs in the respective years were as follow: 42.2 Bq kg(-1), 33.7 Bq kg(-1) and 30.5 Bq kg(-1), respectively. On the basis of mean values of (137)Cs in the meat samples of red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and wild boars (Sus scrofa) between 1996/2012, the effective half-life of (137)Cs was determined for specific species. For red deer equaled 8.9 years, for roe deer 11.6 years while for wild boar it exceeded the physical half-life and equaled 38.5 years. Mean value CR obtained for all three species equaled 1.7 ± 1.5 out of 102 measurements in animals muscles.

Radioactivity of honeys from Poland after the Fukushima accident.

Concentration of radioactive isotopes in honey constitutes an important bioindicator of environmental radiation. One hundred six honey samples were collected from hives and from bottled honey provided by beekeepers from north-eastern Poland in 2010, before the Fukushima accident, and during the two-year period directly following this catastrophe (2011-2012). Cesium-137 (Cs-137) and potassium-40 (K-40) were determined in lime, multifloral, buckwheat, honeydew and other kinds of honey samples. The obtained mean concentrations of Cs-137 and K-40 (Bq kg(-1)) in honey samples were: 1.19 and 32.92 in 2010, 0.90 and 31.13 in 2011, 1.31 and 36.06 in 2012, respectively. Significant differences were not observed. Therefore, the studied honey samples collected after the Fukushima accident are found to be safe for humans with levels of Cs-137 and K-40 not posing any threats. However, the total concentration of Cs-137 and K-40 in samples stopped decreasing in 2010-2011 and showed a slight increase in 2012. This relation may suggest the impact of pollution from Fukushima and requires further research in the coming years.

Mean annual (222)Rn concentration in homes located in different geological regions of Poland: first approach to whole country area.

The paper presents the results of year-long measurements of radon ((222)Rn) concentration inside 129 buildings in Poland in relation to the geological conditions of their foundation. The authors took into account the division of the country into tectonic units, as well as the lithology of the rocks forming the bedrock of these buildings. As expected, the highest value of mean annual (222)Rn concentration (845 Bq/m(3)) was recorded in a building situated in the area of the Sudetes, while the highest geometric mean (characteristic of the expected log-normal data distribution) was calculated based on measurements from buildings located within the East-European craton, in the area of Mazury-Podlasie monocline, where it reached 231 Bq/m(3). Such results reflect geological conditions - the occurrence of crystalline rocks (especially U- and Ra-enriched granites and orthogneisses) on the surface in the Sudetes, and of young post-glacial sediments containing fragments of Scandinavian crystalline rocks, also enriched with U and Ra, in the area of Mazury-Podlasie monocline. However, the least expected result of the investigations was finding out that, contrary to the hitherto widespread belief, none of the major tectonic units of Poland can be excluded from the list of those containing buildings with mean annual (222)Rn concentration exceeding 200 Bq/m(3). The mean annual concentration of radon for all the buildings were much higher than the mean concentration value (49.1 Bq/m(3)) of indoor radon in Poland quoted so far. These results cast a completely new light on the necessity to perform measurements of radon concentration in residential buildings in Poland, no more with reference to small areas with outcrops of crystalline rocks (especially the Sudetes, being the Polish fragment of the European Variscan belt), but for all the major tectonic units within Poland.

The changes in the contents of 137Cs in bottom sediments of some Masurian lakes during 10-15 y observation (Poland).

The measurements of radioactive caesium contents in bottom sediments were carried out in four lakes. First samples (47) were taken in 1992-95. The repeat sampling (109) was performed from the same places in 2005. We examined eight chosen areas in these lakes. In six of them, we observed statistically significant differences in the level of radioactive caesium. It indicates the permanent decrease in the level of 137Cs. The mean annual decrease in the level of radioactive caesium, taking into consideration the radioactive decay, was from 4.2 to 7.8%. In two areas of the profundal zone, we did not observe statistically significant differences in the level of radioactive caesium (lakes Garbas and Rogale Wielkie). Taking into consideration the radioactive decay of caesium, it means about the appearance of the process of accumulation of 137Cs in these areas.

Time changeability in radon concentration in one-family dwelling houses in the northeastern region of Poland.

Two groups of buildings (29 in total) were examined to assess the time changeability in radon concentrations. All the buildings showed seasonal changes with the individual schemes of radon concentration changeability, which varied together with the changes in outside weather parameters, such as temperature and pressure. Measurements based on several days exposure give values ranging from 0.1 to 3.4 of the annual mean. Monthly measurements of radon concentration presented values from 0.3 to 1.8 of the annual mean. A major part of the examined houses showed negative correlation between the indoor radon concentrations and the outside temperatures, and positive correlation between the radon concentrations and the changes in the atmospheric pressure.

Seasonal changes in radon concentrations in buildings in the region of northeastern Poland.

In this study, seasonal observations of radon concentration changes inside buildings carried out in the northeastern region of Poland is presented. One-year measurements of radon concentrations were performed in chosen buildings. The integral method of Cr-39 trace detectors in diffusive chambers was used. Mean values of radon concentrations were determined in monthly, 2-, 3-, 6-month, and annual observations. The fraction of a mean annual concentration of the value obtained in a shorter observation was calculated. Monthly concentration values were from about 0.2 to 14.9 of the annual mean. All buildings revealed seasonal fluctuation of radon concentration. Negative correlation of indoor radon concentration in the buildings and the mean temperature outside was observed in most examined buildings. The lowest coefficient range, determining which part of the annual mean value would be obtained in the 6-month observation, was gained for exposure begun in April or October.

Radon concentration in hospital buildings erected during the last 40 years in Bialystok, Poland.

The aim of the study was to compare radon concentrations in neighbouring hospital buildings which were constructed in different years during the period 1963-2000 and are located in areas with similar radon potential. The value of arithmetic mean (AM) radon concentration in soil gas amounted to 14,464 Bq m(-3). In a hospital built 40 years ago, the AM radon concentration in the cellar was 38.4+/-36.7 Bq m(-3) and on higher levels it was 17.1+/-10.3 Bq m(-3). In a hospital built 16 years ago, these values equaled 45.5+/-47.2 Bq m(-3) and 20.4+/-12.5 Bq m(-3), respectively. In the newest hospital, built three years ago, radon concentration (AM) in a cellar was 32.3+/-27.4 Bq m(-3) and the respective value on higher levels amounted to 20.4+/-12.6 Bq m(-3). When comparing radon concentrations in the cellars, no statistically significant differences were found. Similarly, no statistically significant differences were observed between radon concentrations measured on higher levels in investigated hospital buildings.

Comparative studies of health hazard from radon (Rn-222) in two selected lithologic formations in the Suwalki region (in Poland).

The aim of this work was to make a comparison of indoor radon concentrations in dwellings and in soil air in the area of two geological formations in the Suwalki region (Poland). The mean arithmetic airborne concentration was found to be the highest (301 Bq m (-3)) in the basements of buildings in the gravel and sand areas, whereas in the boulder clay areas it reached 587 Bq m (-3). Out of 54 measurements of radon concentrations performed at the ground floor, in eight cases concentrations were found to exceed 200 Bq m (-3) - permissible radon level in new-built houses in Poland and in three cases these values were even higher than 400 Bq m (-3). The highest radon levels were noted in houses with earthen basement floors and with direct entrance from the basement to rooms or kitchens. The mean arithmetic radon concentration in the soil air in the sandy and gravel formations was 39.7 kBq m (-3) and in clay formation it was 26.5 kBq m (-3). Higher radon levels were also found in the water obtained from household wells reaching 8367 Bq m (-3) as compared with tap water (2690 Bqm (-3)). The mean indoor concentration for the whole area under study was found to be 169.4 Bq m (-3), which is higher than the mean value for Poland (49.1 Bq m (-3)) by a factor of 3.5.