#radionuclides

[oaresearchpaper]

The scrap metal waste export activity has proliferated in Benin and in the West African sub-region in recent decades. It is a sector that employs a growing number of workers, particularly on the Ex SONICOG site in the first district of Cotonou in Benin. Unfortunately, this scrap metal waste can constitute chronic sources of radioactive contamination of the soil and of exposure of populations to ionizing radiation. The objective of this research work is to estimate the specific activities of the soil and the radionuclides involved on the site of the former SONICOG scrap metals, which has been in operation for more than two decades. The methodological approach consisted in taking soil samples using the diagonal method and analyzing them by gamma spectrometry using a Baltitic Scientific Instrument, Ltd (BSI) type device fitted with Gamma Pro analysis software. . The results show a stronger contamination of the superficial horizons by radionuclides such as lead 212Pb, thorium 232Th, cesium 137Cs in general and compared to the control soil. On the other hand, potassium (40K) is detected only in the surface horizon of the soil1 while actinium 228Ac was found in the first two surface horizons of the soil2; as for americium (241Am), it has been detected in the soil3 but it is not quantifiable (low concentrations). Moreover, all these radioelements are in low quantity in the control sample (sol0) chosen as the reference soil. This observation, coupled with an unequal distribution of radioactive sources in the soil horizons, confirms the hypothesis that the radioactive sources come from ferrous and non-ferrous metals from scrap metal waste on the various sites. Workers in the scrap metal sorting-recycling chain risk the effects of direct chronic exposure to low doses of ionizing radiation emitted by these sources and populations from indirect exposure.

[rnmcenter]

Radionuclide Therapy in Rohtak

Radionuclide therapy, also known as targeted radiotherapy, is a specialized medical treatment that employs radioactive substances (radionuclides) to selectively deliver radiation to specific diseased tissues within the body. In Rohtak, this advanced form of therapy is offered as part of a comprehensive approach to managing various medical conditions, particularly cancer.

[unofficial-sean]

I don't know why, but this is morbidly amusing to me.

 Our predecessors really were out there sending Cesium-137 out into the atmosphere to an extent that it can be reliably used as a benchmark for dating sedimentation.

[lupinepublishers]

Possible Role of Inadequate Quantities of Intra-Thyroidal Bromine, Calcium and Magnesium in the Etiology of Female Subclinical Hypothyroidism by Zaichick Vladimir in IGWHC in Lupinepublishers

Objective: Subclinical hypothyroidism does affect fertility. The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism is 10-15 times more common in women than in men. Many chemical elements play important role in thyroid function and fertility. The aim of this exploratory study was to evaluate whether significant differences of chemical element contents exist between female and male thyroids and how they can be related to the etiology of subclinical hypothyroidism.

Methods: Thyroid tissue levels of Br, Ca, Cl, I, K, Mg, Mn, and Na were prospectively evaluated in 105 healthy persons (33 females and 72 males). Tissue samples were used for chemical element measurements, employing instrumental neutron activation analysis with high resolution spectrometry of short-lived radionuclides.

Results: It was found that the Br thyroid content of females was significantly higher than that of males, while the Ca and Mg contents were lower.

Conclusion: Inappropriate content of intra-thyroidal Br, Ca and Mg can be associated with the etiology of female subclinical hypothyroidism.

https://www.lupinepublishers.com/gynecology-women-health-journal/fulltext/possible-role-of-inadequate-quantities-of-intra-thyroidal-bromine-calcium-and-magnesium-in-the-etiology-of-female-subclinical-hypothyroidism.ID.000113.php

[thoughtlessarse]

It was previously thought that only volatile, gaseous radionuclides such as caesium and iodine were released from the damaged reactors. Now it is becoming clear that small, solid particles were also emitted, and that some of these particles contain very long-lived radionuclides; for example, uranium has a half-life of billions of years.

New evidence of nuclear fuel releases found at Fukushima -- ScienceDaily

[zzkt]

“dating advice”

[inbonobo]

The tracking of dangerous radioactive substances in the Great Lakes basin is woefully inadequate given the intensive nuclear activity in the area, environmental and health groups say.In a letter to the Canadian and U.S. governments on Wednesday, more than 100 organizations called for such substances to be designated as "chemicals of mutual concern."Such a designation -- recognition that radionuclides are potentially harmful to human health or the environment -- would require governments to develop a strategy for dealing with them with a view to keeping them out of the lakes.

"Radionuclides can have very serious immediate, long-term and intergenerational effects on human and non-human health," the letter states. "There is no level of radionuclides below which exposure can be defined as 'safe'."

Chemicals such as uranium or plutonium -- which can remain toxic for eons -- can cause cancer, birth defects and genetic mutations in both people and animals. Yet despite a surprising amount of activity involving the substances on or near the Great Lakes, a report commissioned by the Canadian Environmental Law Association in support of the designation finds monitoring of the radioactivity is patchy at best.

Study author John Jackson, who notes the lakes are a source of drinking water for millions of Canadians and Americans, said it's high time for the long-standing deficiency to be rectified given that the basin is a "hotbed" for nuclear-related activity.

"With the exception of Lake Superior, our lakes are surrounded by nuclear facilities," Jackson said in an interview Wednesday from Kitchener, Ont. "This isn't something small scale; this is something ringing the basin."

Those facilities -- dozens of nuclear generating stations, fuel-processing facilities, waste-disposal, and uranium mine-tailing sites among them -- all use, store and dispose of radionuclides. At the moment, however, little hard, consistent data is available as to how much radioactive toxins they discharge annually into the lakes.

An International Joint Commission study in 1997 found that keeping tabs on radioactive substances was essentially left to users, resulting in a fragmented approach that included differences in reporting and off-site monitoring.

"This situation has not improved," Jackson writes.

Recent changes under the Great Lakes water quality agreement have allowed the public to nominate "chemicals of mutual concern" to help address gaps in stemming contaminants in the lakes. The environmental law association says the submission around radionuclides is the first attempt by any group to use the process.

The designation would lead to development of a strategy to deal with the substances involving all affected parties.

"For the first time, we could have a real basin-wide discussion," Jackson said.

The issue is taking on increased urgency with a plan by Ontario Power Generation to bury tonnes of contaminated materials deep underground near the shore of Lake Huron -- a proposal currently before the federal environment minister -- as well as an ongoing search for a permanent storage site for highly radioactive spent fuel rods.

"The large number of facilities around the Great Lakes Basin, usually near the shoreline, result in ongoing regular discharges into the lakes as well as a high probability of accidents that release higher amounts of radionuclides," the letter states.

Even though some levels of radioactivity occur naturally, Jackson said every effort needs to be made to minimize any increase.

Signatories to the letter include groups such as the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, Greenpeace, the Council of Canadians and Sierra Club.

(via ctv)

[sawb0ne]

Dear future me?

Dear Future Me;

Get your ass back here and lemme know what's goin down