• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
• /
• 제48권2호
• /
• pp.68-76
• /
• 2023

Background: In the process of discussion on the possibility of using radionuclide-contaminated soil and debris generated by radiation disasters, a strategy for the proper management of radiation exposure protection while considering the source of the contaminated materials is necessary. Materials and Methods: The radiological protection criteria that are likely to be applied to the source-related approach based on the International Commission on Radiological Protection recommendations and the International Atomic Energy Agency safety standards are summarized. We proposed five interpretations of radiation protection to contribute to the promotion of discussion on the possibility of using a part of low-level-radionuclide-contaminated soil and debris in the post-accident rehabilitation. Interpretations I to III are based on the idea of "using a reference level to protect the public in post-accident rehabilitation," whereas IV and V are based on the idea of "using the dose constraint to protect the public in the post-accident rehabilitation when the sources are handled in a planned activity." The former idea is subdivided into three based on the definition of the source, which is managed by the reference level, and the latter idea is divided into two depending on whether or not additional dose from using contaminated materials is deemed acceptable. Results and Discussion: To confirm the applicability of the five interpretations presented, we suggested the concrete values of protection criteria via two feasible cases. In this case study, we proposed radiation protection by the dose constraint based on the Interpretation IV and chose 1 mSv/yr for the public and 20 mSv/yr for workers dealing with radionuclide-contaminated materials. Conclusion: We concretely and systematically demonstrated how the concept of radiation protection can be applied to the process of discussion on the possibility of using radionuclide-contaminated materials within the framework of an international system of protection. This study's findings can provide necessary information to discuss the possibility of using radionuclide-contaminated materials as an alternative option for recovery and reconstruction after a radiation disaster from the viewpoint of radiation protection.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
• /
• 제47권3호
• /
• pp.143-151
• /
• 2022

Background: After the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident, biological alterations in the natural biota, including morphological changes of fir trees in forests surrounding the power plant, have been reported. Focusing on the terminal buds involved in the morphological formation of fir trees, this study developed a method for estimating the absorbed radiation dose rate using radionuclide distribution measurements from tree organs. Materials and Methods: A phantom composed of three-dimensional (3D) tree organs was constructed for the three upper whorls of the fir tree. A terminal bud was evaluated using Monte Carlo simulations for the absorbed dose rate of radionuclides in the tree organs of the whorls. Evaluation of the absorbed dose targeted ¹³¹I, ¹³⁴Cs, and ¹³⁷Cs, the main radionuclides subsequent to the FDNPP accident. The dose contribution from each tree organ was calculated separately using dose coefficients (DC), which express the ratio between the average activity concentration of a radionuclide in each tree organ and the dose rate at the terminal bud. Results and Discussion: The dose estimation indicated that the radionuclides in the terminal bud and bud scale contributed to the absorbed dose rate mainly by beta rays, whereas those in 1-year-old trunk/branches and leaves were contributed by gamma rays. However, the dose contribution from radionuclides in the lower trunk/branches and leaves was negligible. Conclusion: The fir tree model provides organ-specific DC values, which are satisfactory for the practical calculation of the absorbed dose rate of radiation from inside the tree. These calculations are based on the measurement of radionuclide concentrations in tree organs on the 1-year-old leader shoots of fir trees. With the addition of direct gamma ray measurements of the absorbed dose rate from the tree environment, the total absorbed dose rate was estimated in the terminal bud of fir trees in contaminated forests.

• 방사성폐기물학회지
• /
• 제7권2호
• /
• pp.79-86
• /
• 2009

원자력시설의 콘크리트 폐기물은 서로 다른 메카니즘에 의해 다양한 핵종에 의해 방사화 되거나 오염된다. 우라늄 변환시설 및 연구로 해체 시 발생된 오염된 콘크리트의 부피감용을 위해 가열 분쇄 실험에 의해 자갈, 모래, 페이스트의 골재의 크기에 따른 핵종의 분배특성에 대해 고찰하였다. 실험결과 대부분의 방사성 핵종은 골재로부터 제거되어 페이스트에 존재하였으며 특히, 가열 온도는 방사성 핵종을 오염된 콘크리트 폐기물로부터 분리하는데 중요한 변수로 확인되었다. 즉, 콘크리트 표면에 오염된 물질은 밀도가 높은 자갈, 모래보다는 다공성 물질의 페이스트에 농축되었다. 방사화 콘크리트에서는 80%, 우라늄 변환시설의 콘크리트 폐기물에서는 약 75% 정도의 부피감용을 얻었다.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
• /
• 제44권1호
• /
• pp.8-14
• /
• 2019

Background: Management of an agricultural food product system following a nuclear accident is indispensable for reducing radiation exposure due to ingestion of contaminated food. The present study analyzes the effect of agricultural countermeasures on ingestion dose following a nuclear accident. Materials and Methods: Agricultural countermeasures suitable for domestic farming environments were selected by referring to the countermeasures applied after the Fukushima accident in Japan. The avertable ingestion doses that could be obtained by implementing the selected countermeasures were calculated using the Korean Agricultural Countermeasure Analysis Program (K-ACAP) to investigate the efficiency of each countermeasure. Results and Discussion: Of the selected countermeasures, the management of crops was effective when radionuclide deposition occurred during the growing season of plants. Treatment by soil additive and topsoil removal was effective when deposition occurred during the nongrowing season of plants. The disposal of milk was not effective owing to the small contribution of milk to the overall ingestion dose. Clean feeding of livestock was effective when deposition occurred during the growing season of fodder plants such as pasture and rice-straw. Finally, the effect of food restriction increased with the soil deposition density of radionuclide. The practical effect of countermeasures was very small when the avertable ingestion dose was absolutely low. Conclusion: The agricultural countermeasures selected to reduce the radionuclide ingestion dose after a nuclear accident must be made appropriate by considering the accident situation, such as the soil deposition density of the radionuclide and the deposition date in relation to farming cycles.

• 방사성폐기물학회지
• /
• 제17권1호
• /
• pp.121-126
• /
• 2019

원자력발전소 해체과정에서 방사화 재고량에 대한 평가는 방사선 환경에 정보를 제공함으로써 해체 계획을 수립하는데 중요한 정보를 제공한다. 원자로 운전 정지 후 원자로 및 관계시설에서의 축적된 방사능은 노심 구조물, 반사체 및 차폐체 등의 구조재가 중성자 조사에 의해 방사화된것이다. 방사화생성물 중 $^{36}Cl$ 과 $^{41}Ca$ 은 반감기와 화학적 물리학적 특성에 의해 해체 처분 관점에서 매우 중요한 핵종이며 이에 따라 본 연구에서는 차폐 콘크리트 내 생성량을 평가하였다. MCNPX 코드를 사용하여 중성자속과 반응단면적을 계산하였으며 이 결과를 토대로 ORIGEN2 코드를 사용하여 방사화생성물의 양을 평가하였다.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
• /
• 제48권2호
• /
• pp.84-89
• /
• 2023

Background: Food consumption is one of the most important routes for radionuclide intake for the public; therefore, there is the need to have a comprehensive understanding of the amount of radioactivity in food products. Consumption of radionuclide-contaminated food could increase potential health risks associated with exposure to radiation such as cancers. The present study aims to determine radioactivity levels in some food products (milk, rice, sugar, and wheat flour) consumed in Mali and to evaluate the radiological effect on the public health from these radionuclides. Materials and Methods: The health impact due to ingestion of radionuclides from these foods was evaluated by the determination of activity concentration of radionuclides ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K, and ¹³⁷Cs using gamma spectrometry system with high-purity germanium detector and radiological hazards index in 16 samples collected in some markets, mall, and shops of Bamako-Mali. Results and Discussion: The average activity concentrations were 9.8±0.6 Bq/kg for ²³⁸U, 8.7±0.5 Bq/kg for ²³²Th, 162.9±7.9 Bq/kg for ⁴⁰K, and 0.0035±0.0005 Bq/kg for ¹³⁷Cs. The mean values of radiological hazard parameters such as annual committed effective dose, internal hazard index, and risk assessment from this work were within the dose criteria limits given by international organizations (International Commission on Radiological Protection and United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation) and national standards. Conclusion: The results show low public exposure to radioactivity and associated radiological impact on public health. Nevertheless, this study stipulates vital data for future research and regulatory authorities in Mali.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
• /
• 제19권3호
• /
• pp.209-221
• /
• 1994

원자력발전소의 중대 사고시 대기로 방출된 방사성물질에 의해 피폭자가 사고후 일생동안 받게 될 전신 피폭선량과 핵종의 상대적 중요도를 방출점으로부터 거리에 따라 각 피폭경로에 대해 평가하였다. 방사능운과 지표에 침적된 방사성물질에 의한 외부피폭, 호흡과 오염된 음식물섭취에 의한 내부피폭이 피폭경로로 고려되었다. 오염된 음식물섭취에 의한 영향은 우리나라 환경을 고려하여 개발된 동적 삽식경로모델 KORFOOD을 사용하여 침적시점과 침적후 시간에 따른 음식물내 방사성물질의 농도 변화를 고려하였다. 방출점으로부터 80km까지 피폭선량을 평가한 결과, 오염된 음식물섭취에 의한 영향이 가장 높았다. 핵종별 기여도는 방사능운에 의한 외부피폭과 호흡에 의한 내부피폭의 경우 I, 침적된 방사성물질에 의한 외부피폭의 경우 Cs에 의한 영향이 가장 높았다. 오염된 음식물섭취에 의한 내부피폭의 경우 Cs은 여름철 침적, Sr은 겨울철 침적에 보다 중요한 영향을 미쳤다.

• 자원리싸이클링
• /
• 제33권2호
• /
• pp.54-61
• /
• 2024

천연방사성핵종의 붕괴에 의해 생성된 Pb에 의해 오염된 철강을 재용해하면 Pb는 금속, 슬래그, 기상으로 분배된다. 본 연구에서는 Fe 중에 5 wt%의 안정한 Pb를 첨가하고 CaO-SiO₂-Al₂O₃-MgO계 슬래그와 함께 용융시켜 Pb의 금속/슬래그/가스상으로의 분배 거동을 조사하였다. 슬래그 염기도((wt%CaO)/(wt%SiO2))가 증가함에 따라 Fe 중 Pb 용해도는 약간 증가하는 경향을 나타내었으며, 슬래그 중 Pb는 감소하는 경향을 나타내었다. 따라서 염기도 증가에 따라 Pb의 슬래그/금속 사이의 분배비는 감소하는 경향을 나타내었다. 열역학적 계산 결과 슬래그 중 PbO의 활동도계수와 무관하게 Pb의 슬래그/Fe상 중 분배비는 매우 낮은 값으로 실험 결과와 유사한 수준을 나타내었다. Fe-Pb 중 Pb의 계산 증발속도가 Fe의 약 22배에 달하여 Pb의 대부분이 기상으로 증발되었다.