The Alpha Particle Doses Received by Students and Staff in Twenty Schools in the North of Hebron Region - Palestine

The aim of the current study was to measure indoor radon concentration levels and its resulting doses received by the students and staff in schools of the directorate of education in the north of Hebron region- Palestine, during the summer months from June to September (2018), using CR-39 detectors. In this study, a total of 567 CR-39-based radon detectors were installed in the selected schools. The average radon concentrations were found to be 90.0, 66.5 and 58.0 Bqm-3 in Halhul, Beit Umar and Alarrub camp schools, respectively. Based on the measured indoor radon data, the overall average effective dose for the studied area was found to be 0.31 mSvy-1. Reported values for radon concentrations and corresponding doses are lower than ICRP recommended limits for workplaces. The results show no significant radiological risk for the pupils and staff in the schools under investigation. Consequently, the health hazards related to radiation are expected to be negligible. Keywords: Radon concentration, Alpha particles, Annual effective dose, Schools. PACs: 29.40.−n.

Fertility Cancer and Hereditary Risks in Soil Sample of Nasarawa, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

A survey of Fertility Cancer and Hereditary Risks in Soil Sample of Nasarawa was carried out. This study assessed the level of Fertility Cancer and Hereditary Risks in some part of Nasarawa using the gamma-ray spectrometry. The mean concentration for 40K was 645.29 ± 07.32 Bq/kg, for 226Ra was 28.43 ± 4.8422 Bq/Kg and for 232Th was 66.84 ± 2.0201 Bq/Kg. The average effective dose due to the ingestion was 0.36±0.1µSv/y which was approximately 1000 times lower than the world average effective dose. Radium equivalent activity Raeq (Bq/kg), alpha index and total cancer risk were found to be 161.44±8.08 Bq/kg, 0.142±0.02 and (0.21±0.05) ×10-5 respectively. UNSCEAR/ USEPA stipulated that; radium equivalent activity, alpha index, effective dose and total cancer risk should not exceed the limit of 370 Bq/kg, unity, 300 µSv/y and 1 ×10-4 respectively. Hence the values obtained in this work were within the acceptable limits. This implies that the ingestion or inhalation of soil is not associated with any radiological risk of concern.

Anti-inflammatory properties of the combination of meloxicam and N-acetyl-L-proline

The anti-inflammatory properties of the combination of meloxicam and atypical NSAID N-acetyl-L-proline (Groceprol®) after intragastric administration in a model of carrageenan paw edema in mice were studied. The average effective dose of N-acetyl-L-proline calculated by the regression analysis method in this model was 414 mg/kg, and the average effective dose of meloxicam was 2.85 mg/kg. In the combination in a ratio of 40:1, the activity of the compounds increases significantly, the ED50 of meloxicam decreases to 1 mg/kg, a similar value of N-acetyl-L-proline becomes 43 mg/kg. The same trend was also observed with another mass ratio of components of 20:1. The analysis of the pharmacodynamics of the combination of drugs according to the T. Chou method showed an additive type of interaction, typical for compounds with different mechanisms of primary action. It was established that a combination of N-acetyl-L-proline and meloxicam in the weight ratios of 40:1 and 20:1 demonstrate synergism, allowing to reduce the dose of the components in 2.7–9.6 times as compared with the effect of the drugs individually.The results of the study are the experimental justification for the use of anti-inflammatory synergistic combination of N-acetyl-L-proline and meloxicam.

Radiation monitoring of drinking water in the vicinity of the Beloyarsk NPP

The article provides a radiation-hygienic assessment of the current state of drinking water supply sources for the population in the observation area of the the Beloyarsk NPP and the Institute of Nuclear Materials. We determined the content of natural (234U, 238U, 226Ra, 228Ra, 210Po, 222Rn, 210Pb, 228Th, 230Th, 232Th) and technogenic (3H, 14C, 60Co, 90Sr, 134Cs, 137Cs, 238Pu, 239,240Pu, 241Am) radionuclides in drinking water of tap water, water boreholes and water wells in test settlements located at different distances and directions from radiation hazardous facilities. Results of monitoring of water sources in 2012–2013 and 2019 showed the radiation safety of drinking water in the vicinity of the Beloyarsk NPP according to several criteria. Thus, the maximum levels of the gross specific alpha-activity of radionuclides in water samples were 3.9 times lower than the control level (0.2 Bq/kg), the gross specific beta-activity was 5.7 times lower than the control level (1 Bq/ kg). Over the entire observation period, none of the drinking water samples exceeded the control levels both for individual radionuclides and for the sum of the ratios of specific activities to control levels. The content of natural and artificial radionuclides in drinking water near the Beloyarsk NPP decreases in the following order: water wells > water boreholes > tap water. For the past 20 years, there was a decrease in tritium specific activity in drinking water of the Beloyarsk NPP region by 20–35%, depending on the source of water supply. It was noted that the launch of the BN-800 reactor also did not lead to an increase in the content of other artificial radionuclides (90Sr, 137Cs) in groundwater. The average annual effective dose of internal exposure of the population due to drinking water consumption in the vicinity of the Beloyarsk NPP is 0.05 mSv, according to conservative estimates – 0.07 mSv, which is below the radiation safety threshold (0.1 mSv/a) recommended by the WHO. Natural radionuclides play the primary role in the formation of the annual average effective dose for internal irradiation (98.9%) due to drinking water consumption on the considered territories. 210Po makes the largest contribution to the dose from natural radioisotopes – 43%, somewhat less is made by 210Pb – 25%. The third place in the dose formation from natural radionuclides belongs to 234U (8%), 228Ra (7%), 226Ra (6%) and 230Th (6%). The contribution of other natural radioisotopes in the formation of the internal radiation dose from drinking water consumption does not exceed 2-3%. The contribution of technogenic radionuclides to the annual average effective dose from the consumption of drinking water is negligible (about 1%). Of the technogenic components, 90Sr (60%), 3H (20%), and 241Am (12%) play the most significant role in the formation of the internal exposure dose.

Do low dose CT-KUBs really expose patients to more radiation than plain abdominal radiographs?

Background: Urolithiasis patients often require frequent urinary tract imaging, leading to high radiation exposure. CT Kidney-Ureter-Bladder (CT-KUB) is the gold standard in urolithiasis detection, however it is thought to harbour significant radiation load. Urologists have therefore utilised abdominal radiographs (XR-KUB) as an alternative, though with markedly lower sensitivity and specificity. We present the first contemporary UK study comparing the effective doses of XR-KUBs with low dose CT-KUBs. Method: Fifty-three patients were retrospectively identified in a single centre who underwent both a XR-KUB and a CT-KUB in 2018. Effective-Dose was measured by converting the recorded ‘Dose Area/Length Product’ via the International Commission on Radiological Protection formula. Results: The average effective dose of XR-KUBs and low dose CT-KUBs were 5.10 mSv and 5.31 mSv respectively. Thirty-four percent (18/53) of patients had a XR-KUBs with a higher effective dose than their low dose CT-KUB. Patients with higher Weight, BMI and AP diameter had higher effective doses for both their XR and low dose CT-KUBs. All patients in our study weighing over 92 kg or with a BMI greater than 32 had a XR-KUBs with a higher effective dose than their low dose CT-KUB. Conclusion: This data supports moving away from XR-KUBs for the investigation of urolithiasis, particularly in patients with a high BMI.

Survey of indoor radon (Rn-222) entry and concentrations in different types of building in Kalisz, Poland

Indoor radon (222Rn) was surveyed in a total of 141 individual houses and apartments used precalibrated passive PicoRad Detectors. The radon activity in the soil gas around the dwellings was simultaneously measured. The arithmetic mean values of indoor radon concentrations for detached houses, old buildings (up to four-stories), prefabricated blocks of flats (mostly five stories) and high-rise residential buildings (10-stories) were:, 70.9; 46.5; 38.4, and 56.6 Bq m−3, respectively. The average arithmetic mean value for all measured rooms equals 51.8 Bq m−3. The calculated average effective dose from indoor radon for the local population was equal to 2.2 mSv.

NEUROTOXICOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF THE COMPOUND AV-19 FOR PROPHYLAXIS AND TREATMENT OF COMPLICATIONS OF DIABETES MELLITUS

The article presents the results of a study of the neurotoxicological profile of the new compound AB-19, acting on collagen glycation end products (AGE) and their receptors (RAGE), for the prevention and treatment of diabetes complications. The multi-test method «S. Irwin» was used. The test results were evaluated in parallel groups receiving the substance in doses starting with the average effective dose (ED50) and with a multiple increase by 5, 10, 20 and 50 times. It was found that the compound AB-19 in doses of 20, 100 and 200 mg / kg does not affect the functional and behavioral status of animals. However, with an increase to 400 mg / kg, typical manifestations of intoxication were observed: a decrease in muscle tone, hypothermia, sedation, tachypnea. As a result of the study, it was revealed that the neurotoxicological properties of the compound AB-19 are characterized by dose-dependent activity. A minimum toxic dose of 400 mg / kg ≤ Tdmin ≤ 1000 mg / kg was also indicated.

NEUROTOXICOLOGICAL PROFILE OF 5-НТ2А-ANTAGONIST OF IMIDAZOBENZIMIDAZOLE DERIVATIVE

Thearticlepresentstheresultsofastudyoftheneurotoxicologicalprofileofanew5-HT2A-antagonist(compoundI) using the method of multi-test observation by «S. Irwin». The test parameters were evaluated in parallel groups, receiving the compound in doses beginning with the average effective dose (ED50) and with a multiple increase of 2, 5, 7.5 and 10 times.The study revealed that the neurotoxicological properties of compound I are characterized by dose-dependent activity. It has been shown that neurotoxicological changes in the behavior of the animals did not occur with the administration of compound I at average effective dose of 10 mg / kg and doses, exceeding the effective by 2 and 5 times; the animals welfare corresponds to that of the control group. The most significant effects by the administration of the studied compound developed in high doses, exceeding the effective by 7.5 and 10 times. The limits of the minimum toxic dose (TDmin) for compound I by oral administration has been found to be 50 mg / kg <TDmin≤75 mg / kg.

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO EXTERNAL IONISING RADIATION IN TANZANIA (2011–17)

The objectives of this paper were to evaluate the occupational radiation exposure data from 2011 to 2017 and to compare the results with status in 1996–2010 periods. The evaluation was performed in terms of annual collective effective dose, the average annual effective dose, the individual dose distribution ratio and the annual collective effective dose distribution ratio. Irrespective of work category, the results indicate that the average effective dose ranged from 0.64 to 1.55 mSv and broadly comparable to data in the previous analysis. Over seven year period, the maximum annual individual dose was 4 mSv and therefore below the dose limit of 20 mSv y−1. The impact of radiological practice on the exposed population was &lt;1.1 person.Sv. The results demonstrate satisfactory radiation protection conditions at workplaces, a situation which is mainly explained by the existing effective regulatory enforcement and improved workers’ awareness.

Measurement of radon (222Rn) and thoron (220Rn) concentration of plants (Vegetables) in different locations in Sulaimania City using CR-39 detector

Introduction: Radon is a radioactive gas released from the normaldecay of uranium in rocks and soil depending on local geology. Radioactive decay of uranium through radium produces radon. Materials and Methods: In the present work, seventeen plant (vegetables) samples collected from Sulaimania Governorate. The plants have been analyzed and examined to measure the level of radon (222Rn) and thoron (220Rn) using plastic track detector (CR-39) for evaluation of radon and thoron concentration in this region. Results and Discussion: The results indicated that the higher andlower radon concentration have been found in Halabjay-con, and inSulaimani-center, to be (119.72 Bq.m-3, 3.236 pCi/L), (54.36 Bq.m-3,1.469 pCi/L), respectively, and the higher and lower thoron concentration have been found in Qaladza and in Sulaimani-center, to be (733.66 Bq.m-3, 19.828 pCi/L), (227.33 Bq.m-3, 9.117 pCi/L), respectively. Radiation level compared with the standard level known by the EPA (4 pCi/L) and190 Bqm-3. The concentration of radon in all sample plants is less than international standard level 4(pCi/L)and190 (Bqm-3), therefore the human in safety. The average effective dose equivalent (EDE) of radon from plants determined was (7.2) μSv.y-1 for all the samples. This is lower than the normal value of (1.3) mSv.y-1 given by EPA. Conclusions: This study showed that the contamination in the plant (vegetables) is normal and is not considered a great radial dose for plants and consequently for humans.