Radon survey in kindergartens and schools of Dushanbe, Republic of Tajikistan

The paper presents results of the radon survey carried out in preschool and school institutions in Dushanbe, Republic of Tajikistan. Radon concentration was measured using solid state nuclear track detectors Radtrak2. Track detectors were exposed for 3 months during the heating and warm seasons of the year in the same premises. In total, the measurements were performed in 200 premises of 14 kindergartens and 36 schools. The radon equilibrium equivalent concentration during the heating and warm seasons and the annual average radon equilibrium equivalent concentration were calculated. Annual average radon equilibrium equivalent concentration in surveyed buildings ranged from 42 to 331 Bq/m3 with the mean value of 98 Bq/m3 on the first floor and 56 Bq/m3 on the second floor. It was shown that both seasonal values and annual average value of radon equilibrium equivalent concentration in the premises on the second floor are lower than in the premises on the first floor. The annual average effective dose to children from exposure to radon and its progeny in the premises of schools and kindergartens in Dushanbe ranged from 0,64 to 1,64 mSv. The limit value of annual average radon equilibrium equivalent concentration in dwellings and public buildings is set to 100 Bq/m3 for newly built buildings and 200 Bq/m3 for existing buildings in the Radiation safety norms (NRB-06) of the Republic of Tajikistan. This limit was exceeded only on the first floors in one kindergarten during the heating season, in three schools during the warm season and in eight schools during the heating season. When comparing the results of measurements of radon equilibrium equivalent concentration with data on the geological structure of underlying rocks at the locations of the surveyed buildings, no regularity was found. Additional detailed measurements in the buildings, including basements, will help to identify the source of radon entry into the indoor air and to develop recommendations for implementing radon remediation actions separately for each building. The survey results were also used to develop a radon map of Dushanbe.

Ethylene Oxide Exposure in U.S. Populations Residing Near Sterilization and Other Industrial Facilities: Context Based on Endogenous and Total Equivalent Concentration Exposures

Given ubiquitous human exposure to ethylene oxide (EO), regardless of occupation or geography, the current risk-specific concentrations (RSCs: 0.0001–0.01 ppb) from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cancer risk assessment for EO are not useful metrics for managing EO exposures to the general U.S. population. The magnitude of the RSCs for EO are so low, relative to typical endogenous equivalent metabolic concentrations (1.1–5.5 ppb) that contribute ~93% of total exposure, that the RSCs provide little utility in identifying excess environmental exposures that might increase cancer risk. EO monitoring data collected in the vicinity of eight EO-emitting facilities and corresponding background locations were used to characterize potential excess exogenous concentrations. Both 50th and 90th percentile exogenous exposure concentrations were combined with the 50th percentile endogenous exposure concentration for the nonsmoking population, and then compared to percentiles of total equivalent concentration for this population. No potential total exposure concentration for these local populations exceeded the normal total equivalent concentration 95th percentile, indicating that excess facility-related exposures are unlikely to require additional management to protect public health.

Acetaminophen Removal from Water by Microalgae and Effluent Toxicity Assessment by the Zebrafish Embryo Bioassay

In this work, zebrafish embryo bioassays were performed to assess the efficiency of microalgae in the removal of acetaminophen from water. Chlorella sorokiniana (CS), Chlorella vulgaris (CV) and Scenedesmus obliquus (SO) were the strains used for water treatment. Toxic effects on zebrafish embryo caused by effluents from microalgae treatment were compared with those observed under exposure to experimental solutions with known concentrations of acetaminophen. The three microalgae strains allowed for the reduction of acetaminophen concentration and its toxic effects, but CS was the most efficient one. At the end of the batch culture, a 67% removal was provided by CS with a reduction of 62% in the total abnormalities on the exposed zebrafish embryo. On the other hand, toxic effects observed under exposure to effluents treated by microalgae were alike to those determined for acetaminophen experimental solutions with equivalent concentration. Thus, it may be inferred that microalgae biodegradation of acetaminophen did not involve an increased toxicity for zebrafish embryo.

DETERMINATION OF EQUILIBRIUM EQUIVALENT OF THORON AND RADON CONCENTRATION IN SCHOOLS OF THE CITY OF BANJA LUKA

The paper analyzes the relationship of short-lived progenies of radon and thoron decay. Concentration of progenies is expressed as equilibrium equivalent concentration of EETC (equilibrium equivalent concentration of thoron) and EERC (equilibrium equivalent concentration of radon) abbreviated (EEТC/ EERC). Мeasuring of radon and thoron progenies was carried out in 25 schools in the territory of the City of Banja Luka using CR -39 (RADUET) detectors. Detectors were exposed for six months and were set in the staff room at the height of 30 cm from the ceiling in internal wall. The relationship is determined (EEТC/ EERC) and comparison carried out of obtained results with the world standards, and then the correlation coefficient between radon and thoron was determined.