• Title/Summary/Keyword: Radiation contamination

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Microbiological Contamination of Ice Cream Commercially Available in Korea and its Irradiation Effect (시판 아이스크림의 미생물 오염도 및 감마선 조사효과)

  • Kim, Hyun-Joo;Jo, Cheor-Un;Kim, Dong-Soo;Yook, Hong-Sun;Byun, Myung-Woo
    • Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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    • v.47 no.5
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    • pp.867-876
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    • 2005
  • The microbial contamination of ice cream product commercially available in Korea was determined using ice bar, ice cream, ice milk and non-milk fat ice cream. Irradiation effect on enhancement of microbiological safety was also investigated at doses of 1, 3, and 5 kGy. In all products, yeast and molds were not detected, however, total aerobic and coliform bacteria were detected at 1-2 and 1-1.5 Log CFU/g level, respectively. According to the different flavor used in ice cream, total aerobic bacteria were detected as 2.30, 2.90, and 3.32 Log CFU/g level in vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ice cream, respectively. Yeast and mold was not detected in vanilla ice cream but 2.30 and 2.70 Log CFU/g in chocolate and strawberry ice cream, respectively. Coliforms were also detected 1-2 Log CFU/g in the ice cream with different flavors. Listeria inocua and Escherichia coli were detected from 3 commercial samples but Salmonella spp. was not detected using API kit. Gamma irradiation significantly reduced the level of the contaminated total aerobic bacteria, yeast and molds and coliform population in the ice creams. These results indicated that irradiation(5kGy or less) is effective to ensure safety of ice cream.

Temporal Change in Radiological Environments on Land after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident

  • Saito, Kimiaki;Mikami, Satoshi;Andoh, Masaki;Matsuda, Norihiro;Kinase, Sakae;Tsuda, Shuichi;Sato, Tetsuro;Seki, Akiyuki;Sanada, Yukihisa;Wainwright-Murakami, Haruko;Yoshimura, Kazuya;Takemiya, Hiroshi;Takahashi, Junko;Kato, Hiroaki;Onda, Yuichi
    • Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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    • v.44 no.4
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    • pp.128-148
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    • 2019
  • Massive environmental monitoring has been conducted continuously since the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power accident in March of 2011 by different monitoring methods that have different features together with migration studies of radiocesium in diverse environments. These results have clarified the characteristics of radiological environments and their temporal change around the Fukushima site. At three months after the accident, multiple radionuclides including radiostrontium and plutonium were detected in many locations; and it was confirmed that radiocesium was most important from the viewpoint of long-term exposure. Radiation levels around the Fukushima site have decreased greatly over time. The decreasing trend was found to change variously according to local conditions. The air dose rates in environments related to human living have decreased faster than expected from radioactive decay by a factor of 2-3 on average; those in pure forest have decreased more closely to physical decay. The main causes of air dose rate reduction were judged to be radioactive decay, movement of radiocesium in vertical and horizontal directions, and decontamination. Land-use categories and human activities have significantly affected the reduction tendency. Difference in the air dose rate reduction trends can be explained qualitatively according to the knowledge obtained in radiocesium migration studies; whereas, the quantitative explanation for individual sites is an important future challenge. The ecological half-lives of air dose rates have been evaluated by several researchers, and a short-term half-life within 1 year was commonly observed in the studies. An empirical model for predicting air dose rate distribution was developed based on statistical analysis of an extensive car-borne survey dataset, which enabled the prediction with confidence intervals. Different types of contamination maps were integrated to better quantify the spatial data. The obtained data were used for extended studies such as for identifying the main reactor that caused the contamination of arbitrary regions and developing standard procedures for environmental measurement and sampling. Annual external exposure doses for residents who intended to return to their homes were estimated as within a few millisieverts. Different forms of environmental data and knowledge have been provided for wide spectrum of people. Diverse aspects of lessons learned from the Fukushima accident, including practical ones, must be passed on to future generations.

The Measurements of Energy and Distribution of Scattered Electrons in Therapeutic X-Ray Beam (치료 방사선 선속(Flux)에 포함된 산란전자의 분포와 에너지 측정)

  • Vahc, Young-Woo;Park, Kyung-Ran;Ohyun Kwon;Lee, Yong-Ha;Kim, Tae-Hong;Kim, Sookil
    • Progress in Medical Physics
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    • v.13 no.1
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    • pp.1-8
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    • 2002
  • Accurate knowledge of the distribution of contamination electrons ( which comes from mainly gantry head by Compton scattering, pair production, and tray: henceforth called leptons ) at the surface and in the first centimeters of tissue is essential for the clinical practice of radiation oncology. Such lepton tends to reduce or eliminate the ‘skin-sparing’ advantage of megavoltage photon beam radiotherapy, This information is needed to prescribe a absorbed dose to a skin volume at a few millimeter depth in high energy therapeutic radiation photon beam All experiments were done with 15 MV photon beam from a dual energy linear accelerator (Clinac 1800, Varian). Field size is defined by ranged from 10.0$\times$10.0 to 30.0$\times$30.0 $\textrm{cm}^2$. The absorbed dose and distribution of leptons in therapeutic radiation beam (15 MV) are investigated by means of variable blocked beams of 30.0$\times$30.0 $\textrm{cm}^2$ and dose beam profiles partly removed leptons with a copper plate. A numerous leptons mainly are distributed as shape of broad cone in the central photon beam and leptons path length in the water are shorter than 2.5 cm because of the leptons energy having around 3.0 MeV. These results clearly appears that the subtraction of leptons from the total depth dose curve not only lower the absolute dose in the buildup region and surface dose, it also causes a shift of d$_{max}$ to a deeper depth.

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In-Situ Gamma Spectrometry Research Analysis and Radiation Efficiency Sensitivity Evaluation (감마핵종 In-Situ 측정 연구 동향 분석 및 방사능 측정 효율 민감도 평가)

  • Hyun Jun Na;Hyeok Jae Kim;Seong Yeon Lee;Min Woo Kwak;Kwang Pyo Kim
    • Journal of Radiation Industry
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    • v.17 no.1
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    • pp.1-9
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    • 2023
  • Since a large amount of radioactive waste is expected to be generated due to permanent shutdown of many nuclear power plants, it is necessary to prepare efficient management methods for radioactive waste. Therefore, there is a need for a based study to apply the In-Situ gamma spectrometry, which can simplify the measurement procedure. The purpose of this study is to analyze research cases of In-Situ gamma spectrometry and to analyze the sensitivity of measurement according to influencing factors on In-Situ gamma spectrometry. Research cases of five institutions, including the CERN and the Imperial College Reactor Centre (ICRC), were selected as the institutions to be investigated. Research on the In-Situ gamma spectrometry was conducted on the satisfaction of the acceptance criteria for radioactive waste and the analysis of residual radioactivity in the site. In-Situ Objective Counting System (ISOCS) was used as a major measuring device. Sampling and computer code were used to verify the analysis results. For evaluation of measuring sensitivity according to influencing factors on In-Situ gamma spectrometry, the thickness of the measurement target, the distance between the detector and the target, the angle of the collimator, and the contamination location were performed using ISOCS's Geometry Composer. In every case, based on 122 keV, the efficiency decreased as the energy increased in the high energy region, and the efficiency decreased as the energy decreased in the low energy region. As the target thickness increased, the efficiency decreased, and as the distance between target and detector increased, the efficiency decreased. As the distance between contamination and detector increased, the efficiency decreased, and as the angle of the collimator increased, the measurement efficiency increased. However, when simulating the measurement situation using Geometry Composer, the background is not considered, and the probability of incident in the background increases as the angle increases, so further research needs to be conducted in consideration of these. This study can be utilized when applying the In-Situ gamma spectrometry of radioactive waste clearance in the future.

Determine the hazards of radioactive elements and radon gas manufacturing processes in an Egyptian fertilizer factory

  • Soad Saad Fares
    • Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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    • v.56 no.5
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    • pp.1781-1795
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    • 2024
  • This study investigated the levels of radioactivity in soil surrounding a phosphate fertilizer factory in Egypt, aiming to assess potential risks to the population exposed to radiation. Concentrations of 238U, 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K were measured in soil samples collected from two subsites: one near the factory (subsite 1) and another further away (subsite 2). Two different systems were used for measuring radioactivity, a high-purity gamma ray spectroscopy system with an HPGe detector for gamma-emitting isotopes and a CR-39 solid nuclear track detector for alpha-emitting radon gas. Subsite 1, located close to the factory, displayed significantly elevated levels of 226Ra compared to global background levels (514 and 456 Bq/kg vs. 35 Bq/kg). Additionally, the concentrations of 238U (241.06 Bq/kg vs. global average 35 Bq/kg), 232Th (16.15 Bq/kg vs. global average 30 Bq/kg), and 40K (146.36 Bq/kg vs. global average 400 Bq/kg) were all above global averages. Furthermore, a high concentration of radon gas (337.06 μSv/y) was measured at subsite 1. The strong positive correlation observed between 226Ra and 238U (0.96256) provides further evidence of potentially elevated radioactivity levels near the factory. In contrast, subsite 2, situated farther from the factory, exhibited natural radioactive background levels within international limits. Quantitative analysis revealed that gamma ray absorbed doses for 226Ra and 232Th exceeded global averages in some samples. Specifically, 226Ra doses ranged from 7.8 to 46.26 ppm (exceeding the 20 ppm global average in some cases), and 232Th doses ranged from 1.98 to 9.14 ppm (exceeding the 10 ppm global average in some cases). The concentration of 40K, however, remained within the global range (0.07%-0.69 %). The observed imbalances in the ratios of Th/U (0.17-0.24 Bq/kg and 0.73-0.24 ppm) and U/Ra (0.81-0.73 Bq/kg and 0.73-0.17 ppm), both of which are significantly lower than their respective global averages of 4 and 2.4, point towards the presence of fertilizer-derived contamination. This conclusion is further supported by the high phosphate concentrations detected in the samples. Overall, this study suggests that radioactive contamination near the phosphate fertilizer factory significantly exceeds global background levels and international limits in some cases. This raises concerns about potential risks posed to surrounding agricultural land and crops.

The Simulation on Dose Distributions of the 6 MeV Electron Beam in Water Phantom (6 MeV 전자선의 물팬텀 속의 선량분포에 관한 모의계산)

  • Lee, Jeong-Ok;Jeong, Dong-Hyeok;Moon, Sun-Rock
    • Journal of radiological science and technology
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    • v.23 no.2
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    • pp.75-79
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    • 2000
  • This study was performed for the clinical applications applying the Monte Carlo methods. In this study we calculated the absorbed dose distributions for the 6 MeV electron beam in water phantom and compared the results with measured values. The energy data of electron beam used in Monte Carlo calculation is the energy distribution for 6 MeV electron beam which is assumed as a Gaussian form. We calculated percent depth doses and beam profiles for three field sizes of $10{\times}10,\;15{\times}15$, and $20{\times}20\;cm^2$ in water phantom using Monte Carlo methods and measured those data using a semiconductor detector and other devices. We found that the calculated percent depth doses and beam profiles agree with the measured values approximately. However, the calculated beam profiles at the edge of the fields were estimated to be lower than the measured values. The reason for that result is that we did not consider the angular distributions of the electrons in phantom surface and contamination of X-rays in our calculations. In conclusion, in order to apply the Monte Carlo methods to the clinical calculations we are to study the source models for electron beam of the linear accelerator beforehand.

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Disinfection Effect of Film Cassettes by Ultraviolet Irradiation (자외선을 이용한 Film Cassette의 소독 효과)

  • Kweon, Dae-Cheol;Park, Peom
    • Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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    • v.26 no.4
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    • pp.425-432
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    • 2001
  • A bacteria infection on film cassette contact surface was examined at the diagnostic radiology department. Studies have demonstrated a bactericidal effect of ultraviolet irradiation, and to assess the contamination level on film cassette contact surface as a predictor of patient prevent from nosocomial infection. The study showed that the laboratory result was identified non-pathologic and pathologic bacterial in the five different cassette size of the contact surface. Film cassettes were exposed to ultraviolet light for 1, 2 and 3 minutes. Ultraviolet light disinfection practices suitable for bacteria. The study concludes that presence of a bacterial infection will prevent a using antiseptic technique on film cassette contact surface. In conclusion, ultraviolet irradiate on film cassette over the surface more than 2 minutes. Ultraviolet dose of $1565 {\mu}W{\codt}s/cm^2$ Win in 30 second relative to ultraviolet dose in time.

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The Effect of Food Treated with Gamma Radiation after Inoculation with Pathogenic Bacteria in the Flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) (넙치에서 방사선을 조사한 병원성 세균 오염사료 투여의 효과)

  • 김세라;김성호
    • Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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    • v.19 no.1
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    • pp.7-13
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    • 2002
  • This study was examined the microbiological adequacy of fish feed treated with high-dose irradiation (5 kGy). 125 flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) were grouped into 5 and then the fishes were fed the following feeds for 28 days: (1)standard feed; (2)standard feed, inoculated with Edwardsiella tarda ($1{\times}10^8-1{\times}10^9CFU/g$ of feed); (3)standard feed, inoculated with Vibrio anguilarum ($1{\times}10^8-1{\times}10^9CFIT/g$ of feed); (4)standard feed, inoculated with Streptococcus faecalis ($1{\times}10^8-1{\times}10^9CFU/g$ of feed); (5)standard feed, inoculated with Edwardsiella tarda, Vibrio anguillarum and Streptococcus faecalis, and then irradiated the mixed feed to 5 kGy. The flounders feed the mixed diet with Edwardsiella tarda, Wbrio anguillarum or Streptococcus faecalis inoculated feed were showed severe cumulative mortalities of 60, 48 and 52% respectively. The gross and histological changes were observed on the fishes. However, fishs fed with the feed of bacteria inoculation before irradiation demonstrated excellent protection against the bacteria-related disease. The results from experiments with bacteria inoculated feed indicated that the irradiation methods employed were capable of preventing contamination of the fishs with pathogenic bacteria.

Radiological Safety Assessment for a Near-Surface Disposal Facility Using RESRAD-ONSITE Code

  • Jang, Jiseon;Kim, Tae-Man;Cho, Chun-Hyung;Lee, Dae Sung
    • Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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    • v.19 no.1
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    • pp.123-132
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    • 2021
  • Radiological impact analyses were carried out for a near-surface radioactive waste repository at Gyeongju in South Korea. The RESRAD-ONSITE code was applied for the estimation of maximum exposure doses by considering various exposure pathways based on a land area of 2,500 ㎡ with a 0.15 m thick contamination zone. Typical influencing input parameters such as shield depth, shield materials' density, and shield erosion rate were examined for a sensitivity analysis. Then both residential farmer and industrial worker scenarios were used for the estimation of maximum exposure doses depending on exposure duration. The radiation dose evaluation results showed that 60Co, 137Cs, and 63Ni were major contributors to the total exposure dose compared with other radionuclides. Furthermore, the total exposure dose from ingestion (plant, meat, and milk) of the contaminated plants was more significant than those assessed for inhalation, with maximum values of 5.5×10-4 mSv·yr-1 for the plant ingestion. Thus the results of this study can be applied for determining near-surface radioactive waste repository conditions and providing quantitative analysis methods using RESRAD-ONSITE code for the safety assessment of disposing radioactive materials including decommissioning wastes to protect human health and the environment.

In the Treatment I-131, the Significance of the Research that the Patient's Discharge Dose and Treatment Ward can Affect a Patient's Kidney Function on the Significance of Various Factors (I-131 치료시 환자의 신장기능과 다양한 요인으로 의한 퇴원선량 및 치료병실 오염도의 유의성에 관한 연구)

  • Im, Kwang Seok;Choi, Hak Gi;Lee, Gi Hyun
    • The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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    • v.17 no.1
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    • pp.62-66
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    • 2013
  • Purpose: I-131 is a radioisotope widely used for thyroid gland treatments. The physical half life is 8.01 and characterized by emitting beta and gamma rays which is used in clinical practice for the purpose of acquiring treatment and images. In order to reduce the recurrence rate after surgery in high-risk thyroid cancer patients, the remaining thyroid tissue is either removed or the I-131 is used for treatment during relapse. In cases of using a high dosage of radioactive iodine requiring hospitalization, the patient is administered dosage in the hospital isolation ward over a certain period of time preventing I-131 exposure to others. By checking the radiation amount emitted from patients before discharge, the patients are discharged after checking whether they meet the legal standards (50 uSv/h). After patients are discharged from the hospital, the contamination level is checked in many parts of the ward before the next patients are hospitalized and when necessary, decontamination operations are performed. It is expected that there is exposure to radiation when measuring the ward contamination level and dose check emitted from patients at the time of discharge whereby the radiation exposure by health workers that come from the patients in this process is the main factor. This study analyzed the correlation between discharge dose of patients and ward contamination level through a variety of factors such as renal functions, gender, age, dosage, etc.). Materials and Method: The study was conducted on 151 patients who received high-dosage radioactive iodine treatment at Soon Chun Hyang University Hospital during the period between 8/1/2011~5/31/2012 (Male: Female: 31:120, $47.5{\pm}11.9$, average dosage of $138{\pm}22.4$ mCi). As various factors expected to influence the patient discharge dose & ward contamination such as the beds, floors, bathroom floors, and washbasins, the patient renal function (GFR), age, gender, dosage, and the correlation between the expected Tg & Tg-Tb expected to reflect the remaining tissue in patients were analyzed. Results: In terms of the discharge dose and GFR, a low correlation was shown in the patient discharge dose as the GFR was higher (p < 0.0001). When comparing the group with a dosage of over 150mCi and the group with a lower dosage, the lower dosage group showed a significantly lower discharge dose ($24{\pm}10.4uSv/h$ vs $28.7{\pm}11.8uSv/h$, p<0.05). Age, gender, Tg, Tg-Tb did not show a significant relationship with discharge dose (p> 0.05). The contamination level in each spot of the treatment ward showed no significant relationship with GFR, Tg, Tg-Tb, age, gender, and dosage (p>0.05 ). Conclusion: This study says that discharge of the dose in the patient's body is low in GFR higher and Dosage 150mCi under lower. There was no case of contamination of the treatment ward, depending on the dose and renal association. This suggests that patients' lifestyles or be affected by a variety of other factors.

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