Results of the 66-th Session of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of the Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) (Vienna, 10–14 June, 2019)

2019 ◽  
Vol 64 (5) ◽  
pp. 81-88
Author(s):  
В. Уйба ◽  
V. Uyba ◽  
А. Аклеев ◽  
A. Akleev ◽  
Т. Азизова ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ionizing Radiation ◽  
Radiation Exposure ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Occupational Exposures ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Second Primary ◽  
Cancer Risks ◽  
Low Dose Radiation ◽  
Effects Of Radiation

The current paper is devoted to the outcomes of the 66-th UNSCEAR Session which took place in Vienna during 10–14 June 2018. Within the framework of the meetings of the Working Group and subgroups the documents on the following projects were discussed: R.733. Evaluation of selected health effects and inference of risk due to radiation exposure. R.734. Evaluation of medical exposures to ionizing radiation. R.735. Evaluation of occupational exposures to ionizing radiation. R.736. Lung cancer from exposure to radon. R.737. Biological mechanisms relevant for the inference of cancer risks from low-dose radiation. R.738. Levels and effects of radiation exposure due to the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station: implications of information published since the 2013 UNSCEAR report. R.739. Second primary cancer after radiotherapy. R.740. Epidemiological studies of radiation and cancer. The Committee also discussed: the future research program; report to the UN General Assembly; implementation of a strategy plan to improve collection, analysis and dissemination of data on radiation exposure; public outreach activity including the strategy for the period 2020–2024.

scholarly journals Results of the 67-th session of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of the Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
AV Akleyev ◽  
TV Azizova ◽  
VK Ivanov ◽  
LA Karpikova ◽  
SM Kiselev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ionizing Radiation ◽  
United Nations ◽  
Radiation Exposure ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Scientific Committee ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Second Primary ◽  
United Nations Scientific Committee ◽  
The United Nations

The 67-th Session of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of the Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) took place in the form of videoconferences during 2-6 November 2020. Within the framework of the meetings of the Working group and subgroups the documents of the following projects were discussed: R.741 «Evaluation of medical exposure to ionizing radiation»; R.742 «Levels and effects of radiation exposure due to the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station: implications of information published since the UNSCEAR 2013 report»; R.743 «Biological mechanisms relevant for the inference of cancer risks from lowdose and low dose rate radiation»; R.744 «Evaluation of occupational exposure to ionizing radiation»; R.745 «Second primary cancer after radiotherapy»; R.746 «Epidemiological studies of radiation and cancer»; R.747 «Evaluation of public exposures to ionizing radiation from natural and man-made sources»; Project 67/7 «Implementation of the Committee's strategy to improve collection, analysis and dissemination of data on radiation exposure». The Committee also discussed the future research program (2020–2024); report to the UN General Assembly; public outreach activity including the strategy for the period 2020–2024.

Results of the 65th Session of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of the Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) (Vienna, 11–14 June, 2018)

2018 ◽  
pp. 77-88
Author(s):  
В. Уйба ◽  
V. Uyba ◽  
А. Аклеев ◽  
A. Akleev ◽  
Т. Азизова ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ionizing Radiation ◽  
Radiation Exposure ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Low Dose Radiation ◽  
Cancer Data ◽  
Organizational Issues ◽  
Working Groups ◽  
Effects Of Radiation ◽  
Dose Radiation

Current paper is devoted to the main outcomes of the 64th UNSCEAR Session which took place in Vienna during 10 – 14 June 2018. Within the framework of the meetings of the working group and subgroups the documents on the following projects were discussed: - Biological mechanisms influencing health effects from low-dose radiation exposure. - Developments since the 2013 UNSCEAR report on the levels and effects of radiation exposure due to the nuclear accident following the great East-Japan earthquake and tsunami: review of 2016 scientific literature including an evaluation of thyroid cancer data in regions affected by the Chernobyl accident. - Exposure of patients to ionizing radiation. - Exposure of workers to ionizing radiation. - Selected evaluations of health effects and of risk inference due to radiation exposure. - Lung cancer from exposure to radon and to penetrating radiation. In the course of the discussion, some organizational issues such as preparation of UNSCEAR publications, feasibility of establishing standing working groups, public outreach activities, future research program, report to the General Assembly etc., were considered.

Nuclear and Radiological Terrorism

2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 171-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter D. Anderson ◽  
Gyula Bokor
Keyword(s):  
Ionizing Radiation ◽  
Radiation Exposure ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Neutron Radiation ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Hematopoietic Tissue ◽  
Radioactive Materials ◽  
Potassium Iodine ◽  
Cesium 137 ◽  
Effects Of Radiation

Terrorism involving radioactive materials includes improvised nuclear devices, radiation exposure devices, contamination of food sources, radiation dispersal devices, or an attack on a nuclear power plant or a facility/vehicle that houses radioactive materials. Ionizing radiation removes electrons from atoms and changes the valence of the electrons enabling chemical reactions with elements that normally do not occur. Ionizing radiation includes alpha rays, beta rays, gamma rays, and neutron radiation. The effects of radiation consist of stochastic and deterministic effects. Cancer is the typical example of a stochastic effect of radiation. Deterministic effects include acute radiation syndrome (ARS). The hallmarks of ARS are damage to the skin, gastrointestinal tract, hematopoietic tissue, and in severe cases the neurovascular structures. Radiation produces psychological effects in addition to physiological effects. Radioisotopes relevant to terrorism include titrium, americium 241, cesium 137, cobalt 60, iodine 131, plutonium 238, califormium 252, iridium 192, uranium 235, and strontium 90. Medications used for treating a radiation exposure include antiemetics, colony-stimulating factors, antibiotics, electrolytes, potassium iodine, and chelating agents.

scholarly journals Epidemiological Studies of Low-Dose Ionizing Radiation and Cancer: Rationale and Framework for the Monograph and Overview of Eligible Studies

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (56) ◽  
pp. 97-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Berrington de Gonzalez ◽  
Robert D Daniels ◽  
Elisabeth Cardis ◽  
Harry M Cullings ◽  
Ethel Gilbert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ionizing Radiation ◽  
Dose Response ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Solid Cancer ◽  
Systematic Bias ◽  
Cancer Risks ◽  
Low Dose Radiation ◽  
Dose Uncertainty

Abstract Whether low-dose ionizing radiation can cause cancer is a critical and long-debated question in radiation protection. Since the Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation report by the National Academies in 2006, new publications from large, well-powered epidemiological studies of low doses have reported positive dose-response relationships. It has been suggested, however, that biases could explain these findings. We conducted a systematic review of epidemiological studies with mean doses less than 100 mGy published 2006–2017. We required individualized doses and dose-response estimates with confidence intervals. We identified 26 eligible studies (eight environmental, four medical, and 14 occupational), including 91 000 solid cancers and 13 000 leukemias. Mean doses ranged from 0.1 to 82 mGy. The excess relative risk at 100 mGy was positive for 16 of 22 solid cancer studies and 17 of 20 leukemia studies. The aim of this monograph was to systematically review the potential biases in these studies (including dose uncertainty, confounding, and outcome misclassification) and to assess whether the subset of minimally biased studies provides evidence for cancer risks from low-dose radiation. Here, we describe the framework for the systematic bias review and provide an overview of the eligible studies.

scholarly journals A systematic review on the effect of low-dose radiation on hearing

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Srikanth Nayak ◽  
Arivudai Nambi ◽  
Sathish Kumar ◽  
P Hariprakash ◽  
Pradeep Yuvaraj ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Ionizing Radiation ◽  
Radiation Exposure ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Behavioral Symptoms ◽  
National Council ◽  
Low Dose Radiation ◽  
Cochlear Function ◽  
High Frequencies ◽  
Dose Radiation

AbstractNumerous studies have documented the adverse effects of high-dose radiation on hearing in patients. On the other hand, radiographers are exposed to a low dose of ionizing radiation, and the effect of a low dose of radiation on hearing is quite abstruse. Therefore, the present systematic review aimed to elucidate the effect of low-dose ionizing radiation on hearing. Two authors independently carried out a comprehensive data search in three electronic databases, including PUBMED/MEDLINE, CINAHL, and SCOPUS. Eligible articles were independently assessed for quality by two authors. Cochrane Risk of Bias tool was used assess quality of the included studies. Two articles met the low-dose radiation exposure criteria given by Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) and National Council on Radiation Protection (NCRP) guidelines. Both studies observed the behavioral symptoms, pure-tone hearing sensitivity at the standard, extended high frequencies, and the middle ear functioning in low-dose radiation-exposed individuals and compared with age and gender-matched controls. One study assessed the cochlear function using transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE). Both studies reported that behavioral symptoms of auditory dysfunction and hearing thresholds at extended high frequencies were higher in radiation-exposed individuals than in the controls. The current systematic review concludes that the low-dose ionizing radiation may affect the hearing adversely. Nevertheless, further studies with robust research design are required to explicate the cause and effect relationship between the occupational low-dose ionizing radiation exposure and hearing.

Issues Facing Voluntary Evacuees from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident Based on the Collection and Analysis of Cases of Voluntary Evacuation

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (sp) ◽  
pp. 755-769 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kota Tomoyasu ◽  
◽  
Reo Kimura ◽  
Hitomi Mashima ◽  
Ikuno Kazama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power Plant ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Radiation Exposure ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Nuclear Power Plant Accident ◽  
Living Together ◽  
Fukushima Daiichi ◽  
Effects Of Radiation

Although over three years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake, it is estimated that there remain approximately 135,000 evacuees from the nuclear power plant accident, 81,000 of whom had been living in areas under evacuation orders and 54,000 of whom had been living outside these areas (i.e., voluntary evacuees). However, the lived experience of such voluntary evacuees has been uncertain, as it is not possible to identify them. Consequently, it has not been possible to clarify the anxieties they harbor as they continue their extended existence as evacuees or to determine the issues they face in reconstructing their lives, making it difficult to extend suitable assistance measures. In this study, we worked with NHK to conduct a survey of voluntary evacuees. A list of interviewees compiled by NHK reporters was used to survey voluntary evacuees, who are difficult to identify. By analyzing the collected cases, we examined issues faced by “voluntary evacuees.” The results showed that the majority of the voluntary evacuees in this survey were mothers who had evacuated with their young children (but without their spouses) and who felt that they had had to evacuate due to anxieties about the effects of radiation exposure on their children’s growth. They tended to feel that it was difficult to return to their former areas of residence and that they had no choice except to continue living as evacuees. Furthermore, there were cases in which couples that had previously been living together had separated for reasons of work or place of occupation and had been forced into situations where they were obliged to economically support two households, with adverse effects on their budgets, minds, and bodies. In addition, the nuclear power plant accident made it difficult for them to decide where to base themselves in the future; in some cases, evacuees returned to their pre-disaster areas of residence only to evacuate again. Against the designation “voluntary,” the voluntary evacuees in this survey lived under circumstances in which they felt that they had had no choice but to evacuate; in enduring the difficulties of evacuation, they did not feel they had acted according to their voluntary will. This points to the need to implement effective assistance.

scholarly journals Mechanisms of Energy Metabolism in Skeletal Muscle Mitochondria Following Radiation Exposure

Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 950 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim ◽  
Lee ◽  
Kim ◽  
Kim ◽  
Yi
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Energy Metabolism ◽  
Ionizing Radiation ◽  
Radiation Exposure ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Mitochondrial Protein ◽  
Metabolic Effects ◽  
Acid Oxidation ◽  
Mitochondrial Energy Metabolism ◽  
Effects Of Radiation

An understanding of cellular processes that determine the response to ionizing radiation exposure is essential for improving radiotherapy and assessing risks to human health after accidental radiation exposure. Radiation exposure leads to many biological effects, but the mechanisms underlying the metabolic effects of radiation are not well known. Here, we investigated the effects of radiation exposure on the metabolic rate and mitochondrial bioenergetics in skeletal muscle. We show that ionizing radiation increased mitochondrial protein and mass and enhanced proton leak and mitochondrial maximal respiratory capacity, causing an increase in the fraction of mitochondrial respiration devoted to uncoupling reactions. Thus, mice and cells treated with radiation became energetically efficient and displayed increased fatty acid and amino acid oxidation metabolism through the citric acid cycle. Finally, we demonstrate that radiation-induced alterations in mitochondrial energy metabolism involved adenosine monophosphate-activated kinase signaling in skeletal muscle. Together, these results demonstrate that alterations in mitochondrial mass and function are important adaptive responses of skeletal muscle to radiation.

Hiatus in Infant Acute Leukemia Incidence rates in Belarus: Adaptation-to-Low-Dose-Radiation Phenomenon?

Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 507-507
Author(s):  
Vadim Ivanov ◽  
Tatiana Terehovich ◽  
Eugene Ivanov
Keyword(s):  
Ionizing Radiation ◽  
Acute Leukemia ◽  
Radiation Exposure ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Low Dose Radiation ◽  
Infant Leukemia ◽  
Dose Radiation ◽  
Group 1

Abstract Abstract 507 The question of whether child acute leukemia (ChAL) incidence has changed as a result of Chernobyl is of great scientific and public interest. Our initial report (Nature, 1993) showed no increase in the incidence rates (IR) of ChAL in Belarus in the whole group of children (0–14 y.o.) 5 years (1986 – 1991) after accident. This data were confirmed in several European countries. As concerns infant's AL (0–1 y.o.), Petridou et al. reported 2.6 times increase of AL in Greek infants, exposed in utero to Chernobyl radiation. No significant difference in IR was found among children aged 1 – 4 y.o. or older. All epidemiological data concerning separate analysis of infant (0–1 y.o.) ChL was concentrated on the first decade after Chernobyl and no any systematic data is available after 1996. Since 1979 the occurrence of leukemia has been documented accurately through the Registry of Blood diseases. The patients had to be inhabitants of Belarus and were grouped by age at diagnosis. AL diagnostic accuracy was confirmed by the international experts. Rates were standardized directly to the standard world population. We present the age-cohort-period analyses of IR trends of ChAL from 1979 to 2006 in Belarus. It comprised 1077 ChAL cases (0–4 y.o.). Number of cases and equivalent doses of whole body radiation exposure was tabulated by age at diagnosis and period of observation (seven pre-accident years, 1979–1985) and post-accident 7-year periods: 1986–1992, 1993–1999 and 2000–2006. During first 7 years after the accident (1986–1992) the IR of infant AL (0–1 y.o.) increased significantly – from 49 (IR=4.33) before Chernobyl to 67 cases (IR=6.36) in 1986–1992 (RR=1.47; p=0.04). Older age group (1–4 y.o.) did not show any increase in ChAL rates. Following 7-years period (1993–1999) revealed the statistically significant decrease of incidence of infant leukemia: from 49 (IR=4.33) before Chernobyl to 16 cases (IR=2.29) in 1993–1999 years (RR=0.53; p=0.024). Surprisingly, during the next 7 years (2000–2006) we found a further decrease of the incidence of infant leukemia with only 3 cases (IR=0.47) in 7 years. It is highly significant when compared with 49 cases (IR=4.33) before Chernobyl (p= 0.0000053, RR=0.11) and 67 cases (IR=6.36) appeared during first 7 years following Chernobyl accident (p < 0.0000001, RR=0.04). As concerns the older group (1–4 y.o.) we did not find any decrease of IR into the second (1993–1999) and third (2000–2006) 7-year periods. Actually we are working on the next time period (2007–2010) and new upgraded data will be presented. Long-term analysis of incidence of post-Chernobyl childhood acute leukemia permitted to discover the biphasic dynamics of infant's AL incidence rate. Significant increase into the first 7-year period followed by dramatic decrease between year +8 and year + 21. From radiological point of view it is relatively simpler to explain the increase into the first 7 years, because ionizing radiation is one of the few exposures for which the casual relationship with childhood leukemia has been established. Much more difficult to explain following after decrease in incidence rate of infant leukemia in Belarus. Can we speculate about the “adaptation-to-radiation” mechanisms? Over the past decades the growing body of data from cell cultures, experimental animals and humans suggests that low-dose ionizing radiation may have some beneficial (hormetic or adoptive) effect. Several epidemiological studies (India, China, Japan, USA) of a long-term low dose environmental irradiation are in favor of the hypothesis of radiation hormesis or adaptation. The carcinogenic effects of low dose radiation exposure may be restricted to children exposed in utero or in early infancy (0-12 months) during the first years after explosion. Following after dramatic decrease of IRs of infant leukemia might be explained by the developing of adaptive response to chronic low dose ionizing radiation exposure. The presented data may be one of the first clinical evidence concerning human ability of adaptation to long-term low dose radiation. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Epidemiological Studies of Low-Dose Ionizing Radiation and Cancer: Summary Bias Assessment and Meta-Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (56) ◽  
pp. 188-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Hauptmann ◽  
Robert D Daniels ◽  
Elisabeth Cardis ◽  
Harry M Cullings ◽  
Gerald Kendall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ionizing Radiation ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Positive Bias ◽  
Cancer Risks ◽  
Risk Estimates ◽  
Unit Dose ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Ionizing radiation is an established carcinogen, but risks from low-dose exposures are controversial. Since the Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation VII review of the epidemiological data in 2006, many subsequent publications have reported excess cancer risks from low-dose exposures. Our aim was to systematically review these studies to assess the magnitude of the risk and whether the positive findings could be explained by biases. Methods Eligible studies had mean cumulative doses of less than 100 mGy, individualized dose estimates, risk estimates, and confidence intervals (CI) for the dose-response and were published in 2006–2017. We summarized the evidence for bias (dose error, confounding, outcome ascertainment) and its likely direction for each study. We tested whether the median excess relative risk (ERR) per unit dose equals zero and assessed the impact of excluding positive studies with potential bias away from the null. We performed a meta-analysis to quantify the ERR and assess consistency across studies for all solid cancers and leukemia. Results Of the 26 eligible studies, 8 concerned environmental, 4 medical, and 14 occupational exposure. For solid cancers, 16 of 22 studies reported positive ERRs per unit dose, and we rejected the hypothesis that the median ERR equals zero (P = .03). After exclusion of 4 positive studies with potential positive bias, 12 of 18 studies reported positive ERRs per unit dose (P  = .12). For leukemia, 17 of 20 studies were positive, and we rejected the hypothesis that the median ERR per unit dose equals zero (P  = .001), also after exclusion of 5 positive studies with potential positive bias (P  = .02). For adulthood exposure, the meta-ERR at 100 mGy was 0.029 (95% CI = 0.011 to 0.047) for solid cancers and 0.16 (95% CI = 0.07 to 0.25) for leukemia. For childhood exposure, the meta-ERR at 100 mGy for leukemia was 2.84 (95% CI = 0.37 to 5.32); there were only two eligible studies of all solid cancers. Conclusions Our systematic assessments in this monograph showed that these new epidemiological studies are characterized by several limitations, but only a few positive studies were potentially biased away from the null. After exclusion of these studies, the majority of studies still reported positive risk estimates. We therefore conclude that these new epidemiological studies directly support excess cancer risks from low-dose ionizing radiation. Furthermore, the magnitude of the cancer risks from these low-dose radiation exposures was statistically compatible with the radiation dose-related cancer risks of the atomic bomb survivors.

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