scholarly journals Radiocaesium Contamination of Mushrooms at High- and Low-Level Chernobyl Exposure Sites and Its Consequences for Public Health

Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1370
Author(s):  
Ondřej Harkut ◽  
Petr Alexa ◽  
Radim Uhlář
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Effective Dose ◽  
Hot Spot ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Mushroom Species ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Exposed Site ◽  
Maximum Value ◽  
Specific Activities ◽  
Armillariella Mellea

We compare the specific activities of 137Cs and 40K in stipes and caps of three different common mushroom species (Xerocomus badius, Russula ochroleuca and Armillariella mellea) measured at the Czech Chernobyl hot spot in the Opava area (Silesia) and at a low-exposed site at the Beskydy mountains in 2011. The highest values of 137Cs were found in caps of Xerocomus badius and Russula ochroleuca in the Opava area (11.8 and 8.77 kBq/kg, respectively). The source of 137Cs was verified by the measurement of the 134Cs/137Cs ratio. Based on our results, we estimate an effective dose per year due to radiocaesium intake in the two investigated areas for Xerocomus badius, one of the most popular edible mushrooms in the Czech Republic. In 2011, the effective dose reached the maximum value of 0.102 mSv in the Opava area and 0.004 mSv at the low-exposed site at the Beskydy mountains. Therefore, it does not represent a significant risk for public health.

scholarly journals Radon Activity Concentrations in Natural Hot Spring Water: Dose Assessment and Health Perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 920
Author(s):  
Eka Djatnika Nugraha ◽  
Masahiro Hosoda ◽  
June Mellawati ◽  
Untara Untara ◽  
Ilsa Rosianna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Effective Dose ◽  
Radiation Protection ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Hot Springs ◽  
Hot Spring ◽  
Annual Effective Dose ◽  
Spring Water ◽  
Dose Assessment ◽  
West Java

The world community has long used natural hot springs for tourist and medicinal purposes. In Indonesia, the province of West Java, which is naturally surrounded by volcanoes, is the main destination for hot spring tourism. This paper is the first report on radon measurements in tourism natural hot spring water in Indonesia as part of radiation protection for public health. The purpose of this paper is to study the contribution of radon doses from natural hot spring water and thereby facilitate radiation protection for public health. A total of 18 water samples were measured with an electrostatic collection type radon monitor (RAD7, Durridge Co., USA). The concentration of radon in natural hot spring water samples in the West Java region, Indonesia ranges from 0.26 to 31 Bq L−1. An estimate of the annual effective dose in the natural hot spring water area ranges from 0.51 to 0.71 mSv with a mean of 0.60 mSv for workers. Meanwhile, the annual effective dose for the public ranges from 0.10 to 0.14 mSv with an average of 0.12 mSv. This value is within the range of the average committed effective dose from inhalation and terrestrial radiation for the general public, 1.7 mSv annually.

scholarly journals A Spatial Analysis of Tuberculosis Related Mortality in South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (22) ◽  
pp. 11865
Author(s):  
Dan Kibuuka ◽  
Charles Mpofu ◽  
Penny Neave ◽  
Samuel Manda
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Spatial Epidemiology ◽  
Hot Spot ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Cold Spot ◽  
The South ◽  
Female Population ◽  
Death Rates

Background: South Africa, with an estimated annual tuberculosis (TB) incidence of 360,000 cases in 2019, remains one of the countries with the largest burden of TB in the world. The identification of highly burdened TB areas could support public health policy planners to optimally target resources and TB control and prevention interventions. Objective: To investigate the spatial epidemiology and distribution of TB mortality in South Africa in 2010 and its association with area-level poverty and HIV burden. Methods: The study analysed a total of 776,176 TB deaths for the period 2005–2015. Local and global and spatial clustering of TB death rates were investigated by Global and Local Moran’s Indices methods (Moran’s I). The spatial regression analysis was employed to assess the effect of poverty and HIV on TB mortality rates. Results: There was a significant decrease in TB mortality rate, from 179 per 100,000 population in 2005 to 60 per 100,000 population in 2015. The annual TB mortality rate was higher among males (161.5 per 100,000 male population; (95% confidence interval (CI) 132.9, 190.0) than among females (123.2 per 100,000 female population; (95% CI 95.6, 150.8)). The 35–44 age group experienced higher TB mortality rates, regardless of gender and time. Hot spot clusters of TB mortality were found in the South-Eastern parts of the country, whereas cold spot clusters were largely in the north-eastern parts. Tuberculosis death rates were positively associated with poverty, as measured by the South African Multidimension Poverty Index (SAMPI) as well TB death rates in the neighbouring districts. Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed a statistically significant decrease in TB deaths and a disproportionate distribution of TB deaths among certain areas and population groups in South Africa. The existence of the identified inequalities in the burden of TB deaths calls for targeted public health interventions, policies, and resources to be directed towards the most vulnerable populations in South Africa.

scholarly journals Increase in hepatitis A cases in the Czech Republic in 2008 - preliminary report

2008 ◽  
Vol 13 (40) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Fabianova ◽  
J Cástková ◽  
C Beneš ◽  
J Kyncl ◽  
B Kriz
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Czech Republic ◽  
Viral Hepatitis ◽  
Preliminary Report ◽  
Hepatitis A ◽  
Health Protection ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
The Public ◽  
Viral Hepatitis A ◽  
Public Health Protection

The public health protection authorities in the Czech Republic report a rise in cases of viral hepatitis A (HAV) since the end of May 2008. In total, as many as 602 HAV cases have been reported in 2008 until the end of calendar week 39 (28 September).

scholarly journals Specific Activities of Natural Radionuclides and Annual Effective Dose Due to the Intake of Some Types of Children Powdered Milk Available in Baghdad Markets

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 619-624
Author(s):  
Baghdad Science Journal
Keyword(s):  
Effective Dose ◽  
Sodium Iodide ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Annual Effective Dose ◽  
Natural Radionuclides ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Powdered Milk ◽  
Effective Doses ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Specific Activities

In this research the specific activity of natural radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were determined by sodium iodide enhanced by thallium NaI(TI) detector and assessed the annual effective dose in Dielac 1 and 2 and Nactalia 1 and 2 for children of less than 1 year which are available in Baghdad markets. The specific activity of 40K has the greater value in all the types which is in the range of allowed levels globally that suggested by UNSCEAR. The mean value of annual effective doses were 2.92, 4.005 and 1.6325 mSv/y for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K respectively.

Improving Computational Models and Practices

2012 ◽  
pp. 432-455
Author(s):  
Iain Barrass ◽  
Joanna Leng
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Computational Models ◽  
Disease Model ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Computational Steering ◽  
Infectious Disease Model

Since infectious diseases pose a significant risk to human health many countries aim to control their spread. Public health bodies faced with a disease threat must understand the disease’s progression and its transmission process. From this understanding it is possible to evaluate public health interventions intended to decrease impacts on the population. Commonly, contingency planning has been achieved through epidemiological studies and the use of relatively simple models. However, computational methods increasingly allow more complex, and potentially more realistic, simulations of various scenarios of the control of the spread of disease. However, understanding computational results from more sophisticated models can pose considerable challenges. A case study of a system combining a complex infectious disease model with interactive visualization and computational steering tools shows some of the opportunities this approach offers to infectious disease control.

RESULTS OF CZECH NATIONAL STUDY OF RADIATION EXPOSURE FROM RADIOTHERAPY OF NON-MALIGNANT DISEASES, IN PARTICULAR OF HEEL SPURS

2019 ◽  
Vol 186 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 386-390
Author(s):  
V Dufek ◽  
H Zackova ◽  
L Kotik ◽  
I Horakova
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Radiation Exposure ◽  
Effective Dose ◽  
National Study ◽  
Malignant Diseases ◽  
Organ Doses ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Effective Doses

Abstract About 26 000 patients are treated per year with radiotherapy for non-malignant diseases in the Czech Republic. Approximately 75% of them are treated on X-ray therapy units and most of these patients undergo radiotherapy of heel spurs. The evaluation of radiation exposure of these patients was based on measured organ doses and on data from clinical practice. Collective effective doses for particular diagnoses were calculated in order to compare doses resulting from different diagnoses treated on X-ray therapy units. The collective effective dose from radiotherapy of heel spurs in the Czech Republic in 2013 was evaluated to 77 manSv. It represents 25.6% of the total collective effective dose for all diagnoses of radiotherapy for non-malignant diseases treated on X-ray therapy units.

scholarly journals ASPHER V4 Working Group supports the road map for professionalising the public health workforce

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Petrakova ◽  
R Otok ◽  
V Prikazsky ◽  
M Dlouhy ◽  
Z Prazanova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Czech Republic ◽  
Health Workforce ◽  
Rapid Assessment ◽  
Public Health Workforce ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
The Public ◽  
Road Map ◽  
Current State ◽  
Public Health Profession

Abstract Background The ASPHER V4 Working Group (WG) was established in 2016 and officially launched during the 9th European Public Health Conference in Vienna. One of the key objectives of the WG is to strengthen public health capacity development in V4 countries. The WG supports the implementation of the recently reviewed European Action Plan for Strengthening Public Health Capacities (EAP). The EAP’s review highlighted the need to focus further action on four enabling Essential Public Health Functions (EPHOs) including human resources for public health. This is why the WG is heavily involved in the recent development of a new Road map for professionalising the public health workforce, one of the products of the recently established Coalition of Partners (CoP) that was convened by the WHO Regional Office for Europe in close cooperation with ASPHER and Maastricht University. Objectives Supporting the WHO CoP with a focus on development and further implementation of a new Road map for professionalising public health workforce in V4 countries. Using a new rapid assessment tool to evaluate the state of the public health profession in the Czech Republic. Sharing the report on the current state of public health professions in the Czech Republic with the WG and using it as a comparison of the current state in all V4 countries. Results Key strengths and weaknesses of the first rapid assessment of the current state of the public health profession in the Czech Republic are presented. Key actions are proposed for the WG: a) Preparation of a grant proposal to the International V4 Fund and b) Continuing active involvement in CoP activities. Conclusions The rapid assessment tool for evaluating the state of the public health profession was successfully implemented in the Czech Republic with the close cooperation of academia, researchers, policy makers and practitioners. The summary confirms that further work on the professionalization of the public health workforce is needed. Key messages ASPHER V4 WG is strongly involved in the development of a new road map for professionalising the public health workforce, coordinated by the WHO CoP, ASPHER and Maastricht University. Summary of the first rapid assessment of the current state of the public health profession in the Czech Republic confirms the importance of further action in this area of work.

OVERVIEW OF AIRCREW EXPOSURE TO COSMIC RADIATION IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

2019 ◽  
Vol 186 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 211-214
Author(s):  
Ján Kubančák ◽  
Dagmar Kyselová ◽  
Ivan Kovář ◽  
Magdaléna Hlaváčová ◽  
Ronald Langer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Effective Dose ◽  
Cosmic Radiation ◽  
Computer Code ◽  
Crew Member ◽  
Relative Uncertainty ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Effective Doses ◽  
The Individual

Abstract Monitoring of exposures of aircrew members of airline operators registered in the Czech Republic has been performed since 1998. The individual effective doses are calculated using the computer code CARI annually. The calculations are based on information about participation of aircrew members on the specific flights and on the parameters describing the typical flight profiles of the flights; the latter is regularly verified with control measurements performed onboard aircraft. The results show that (1) the average annual effective doses in the period from 1998 to 2017 range from 1.3 to 2.1 mSv, (2) the maximum effective dose of a crew member is 5.7 mSv and (3) the annual collective effective doses range from 1.3 to 4.1 manSv. Combined relative uncertainty of the results is ~25%.

scholarly journals Pest control strategies and damage potential of seed-infesting pests in the Czech stores – a review

2014 ◽  
Vol 50 (No. 4) ◽  
pp. 165-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Stejskal ◽  
R. Aulicky ◽  
Z. Kucerova
Keyword(s):  
Control Strategies ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Seed Storage ◽  
Economic Damage ◽  
Damage Potential ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Modified Atmospheres ◽  
New Research ◽  
Wheat Kernels

This work reviews the historical and current pest risks and research concerning seed storage in the Czech Republic (CR). Stored seed pests (i.e. animals causing injuries to the germ and endosperm) represent a high risk of economic damage due to the high value of seeds coupled with long-term seed storage in small storage units (e.g., boxes, satchels). Rodents represent a significant risk to all types of seeds, especially seeds stored in piles or bags. Mites, psocids, and moths are the main pests of stored grass and vegetable seeds: mites can decrease seed germinability by 52% and psocids caused 9.7% seed weight loss in broken wheat kernels after 3 months of infestation under laboratory conditions. Although beetles (Sitophilus sp., Tribolium sp., Oryzaephilus sp.) and moths (Plodia sp.) are common pests of grain seeds (e.g., wheat, barley, maize), two serious seed pests, Sitotroga cereallela and S. zemays, are rare in the CR. Bruchus pisorum is a common pest of pea seeds, while other Bruchids are rare in the Czech legume seed stores. Currently, the control of seed pests is becoming difficult because the efficient pesticides (e.g., methylbromide, dichlorvos, drinking anticoagulant rodent baits) for seed protection have been lost without the development of adequate substitutes. New research on seed protection in the CR using biological control (mite predators Cheyletus sp.), low pressure, modified atmospheres, and hydrogen cyanide is overviewed.  

scholarly journals Years of life lost due to the psychosocial consequences of COVID-19 mitigation strategies based on Swiss data

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominik A. Moser ◽  
Jennifer Glaus ◽  
Sophia Frangou ◽  
Daniel S. Schechter
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Years Of Life Lost ◽  
Psychosocial Consequence ◽  
Psychosocial Consequences ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background. The pandemic caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has forced governments to implement strict social mitigation strategies to reduce the morbidity and mortality from acute infections. These strategies, however, carry a significant risk for mental health, which can lead to increased short-term and long-term mortality and is currently not included in modeling the impact of the pandemic. Methods. We used years of life lost (YLL) as the main outcome measure, applied to Switzerland as an example. We focused on suicide, depression, alcohol use disorder, childhood trauma due to domestic violence, changes in marital status, and social isolation, as these are known to increase YLL in the context of imposed restriction in social contact and freedom of movement. We stipulated a minimum duration of mitigation of 3 months based on current public health plans. Results. The study projects that the average person would suffer 0.205 YLL due to psychosocial consequence of COVID-19 mitigation measures. However, this loss would be entirely borne by 2.1% of the population, who will suffer an average of 9.79 YLL. Conclusions. The results presented here are likely to underestimate the true impact of the mitigation strategies on YLL. However, they highlight the need for public health models to expand their scope in order to provide better estimates of the risks and benefits of mitigation.

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