International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Outage is a specific period of time for radiation protection in a nuclear power plant, in which the radiation risk and collective dose are both at the highest level. In this article, the practice and experience of occupational exposure control in the outages of Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant are introduced through following aspects: early involvement in outage preparation by radiation protection service, control of source term, radiation protection and safety management in the outage implementation processes, the effectiveness of the plant's safety management network and overall involvement of all staffs of the plant, experience feedback and continuous improvement in radiation protection management, etc

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Exposure of teachers of physics to X-radiation emitted by instruments which are used for demonstrating rarefied gas discharges during physics lessons at secondary schools is discussed. The measurements performed provide an explicit evidence that an effective, annual exposure dose under the most unfavorable conditions does not exceed admissible levels according to Polish regulations pertaining to persons non-occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation. (author). 3 refs,1 fig.

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Efforts to assess and quantify deleterious effects from toxicants concentrate mainly on single agents whereas real world environmental and occupational exposures to natural and anthropogenic agents entail quite often the concomitant presence of several toxicants. For occupational important exposure situations, combined exposures to physical and chemical agents such as radon and smoking or asbestos and smoking, respectively, were shown to produce over-additive effects at exposure levels typical for earlier workplaces. Already the elucidation of possible health risks from a single agents, its dependence on exposure level, exposure rates, age at exposure and its expression in time is a complex endeavour. Therefore in the past and the present the main emphasis in ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Recent research findings of epidemiologist Alice Stewart suggest that nuclear workers may be at risk of contracting cancer even though their measured occupational doses fall within current safety standards. It is argued that these standards are inappropriate as they are based on extrapolations of studies on survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki explosions. These individuals received single doses of radiation, whereas today's nuclear industry personnel are exposed to low-level ionizing radiation over the length of their working lives. Stewart's team linked low dose occupational exposure to ionizing radiation with an increased risk of cancer in respiratory, digestive and blood-forming tissues. The nuclear industry and United States government agencies hotly contest these assertion with their potentially damaging political and economic consequences. (UK).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Extensive epidemiological studies have been carried out in recent years to examine the possible effects of exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on the development of cancer. In some studies, both residential and occupational, a number of cancers, in particular leukaemia and brain cancer, have occurred at an increased incidence at higher levels of exposure. In general, however, no consistent and coherent pattern of results has been obtained and no clear evidence of a cancer risk has been demonstrated. A better understanding of any effect of electromagnetic fields on the development of cancer must await the results of more informative epidemiological studies and an improved understanding of the mechanisms by which these fields may interact with the body and their likely consequences. (author)

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Two men reported previously with vitiligo after occupational exposure to hydroquinone monomethyl ether (HMME) have been reviewed after eight years. Repigmentation of significant degree was found in...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

There is very little quantitative documentation of actual improvements resulting from the installation of new general ventilation systems in industrial settings. Therefore the performance of the common mixing design principle was compared to the displacement design principle by means of an intervention study in a workshop (V = 12,000 m[sup 3]), where thermoplastics were moulded. An experimental signal-response tracer gas technique was used. In terms of supplying fresh air to the zone of occupancy the displacement system was better than the mixing system by a factor of 2. In terms of the exposure level to a simulated contaminant (tracer gas) the displacement system was better by a factor 1.5-18. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Radon measurements were carried out in Kozlu, Karadon and Uzulmez underground coal mines of Zonguldak bituminous coal basin in Turkey. Passive-time integrating method, which is the most widely used technique for the measurement of radon concentration in air, was applied by using nuclear etched track detectors (CR-39) in the study area. The radon concentration measurements were performed on a total of 42 points in those three mines. The annual exposure, the annual effective dose and lifetime fatality risk, which are the important parameters for the health of workers, were estimated based on chronic occupational exposure to the radon gas, which is calculated using UNCEAR-2000 and ICRP-65 models. The radon concentrations at several coal production faces are higher than the action level of 1000 Bq m{sup -3}. It is suggested that the ventilation rates should be rearranged to reduce the radon concentration.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

With more women entering the labor market, concern about adverse effects of occupational exposure on reproductive health has been increasing. Of special importance are those agents which might cause...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority mortality study was designed to investigate the relation between exposure to ionising radiation and mortality among the authority's employees. The present...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This paper introduces an occupational exposure information system in detail, which is developed and in operation presently by Daya Bay nuclear power plant. It is presented in the paper that individual dose monitoring items and method, design and classification of database configuration, statistics and analysis of individual dose, and management of staff entering and exiting controlled area. The system is instructive to analysing individual dose and optimizing radiation protection measures. (authors)

Science.gov (United States)

Dust detection and control in real time, represent one of the most challenging problem in all those environments where fine and ultrafine airborne particulate solids products are present. The presence of such products can be linked to several factors, often directly related and influenced by the working-production actions performed. Independently from the causes generating dust, airborne contaminants are an occupational problem of increasing interest as they are related to a wide number of diseases. In particular, airborne dusts are well known to be associated with several classical occupational lung diseases, such as the pneumoconiosis, especially at high levels of exposure. Nowadays there is also an increasing interest in other dust related diseases, from the most serious as cancer and asthma, to those related with allergies or irritation and other illnesses, also occurring at lower ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lyophilized human whole blood control material containing lead was prepared for internal and external quality assurance to evaluate and improve the analytical performance of lead. The samples were prepared in four different concentrations from outdated human whole blood stabilized with glucose and a citrate/phosphate buffer and provided under clean room conditions to avoid contamination. The lyophilized samples are easy to reconstitute with water. The materials were evaluated according to a statistical model. The lead concentrations in the specimens are close to blood lead levels usually following environmental and industrial exposure, particular in occupational health to the control of lead exposure at work regulations. The materials are available to the commercial as well as the scientific community. The Danish External Quality Assessment Scheme (DEQAS) for lead in blood is intended to complement the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Occupational exposure to N-nitrosamines in the rubber industry was first reported by Fajen et al. (1979). In order to study the origin and formation of nitrosamines in this industry, chemicals and industrial products, as well as the air in various working areas, were analysed. All chemicals used for rubber compounding contain nitrosamines if they are derivatives of secondary amines; e.g., tetramethylthiurame, zinc-diethyldithiocarbamate or N-oxydiethylene benzothiazolylsulfenamide. All rubber products containing these dialkyl amine derivatives exhibited considerable levels of the corresponding nitrosamines. Accordingly, variable concentrations of airborne nitrosamines could be detected at places where rubber products are manufactured or stored. The nitrosamines found correspond to the compounded chemicals. The original nitrosamine level in rubber chemicals is not high enough to explain the amounts found ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

IntroductionWhile epidemiological methods have grown in sophistication during the 20^th century, their application in historical occupational (and environmental) health...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

OBJECTIVE--To assess whether occupational exposure among commercial airline cabin attendants are associated with risk of cancer. DESIGN--Record linkage study. SETTING--Finland. SUBJECTS-1577 female...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In the medical and occupational exposures, there is a tradition to use the genetically significant dose as an index of harm to the population although it only includes the genetical effects from ionizing radiations. A similar significant dose for somatic effects such as radiation leukemogenesis and carcinogenesis should be added to the genetically significant dose in order to approach an index of total harm to the population from medical and occupational exposures. For this purpose, leukemia and malignant significant factors were determined based on the induction of malignant diseases including leukemia for the atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the life expectancy of individuals subject to medical examinations or treatments as well as radiation workers, taking account of the possibility of their deaths due to other diseases or accidents during a latent period of malignant diseases. The ...

Science.gov (United States)

Two hazard risk assessment matrices for the ranking of occupational health risks are described. The qualitative matrix uses qualitative measures of probability and consequence to determine risk assessment codes for hazard-disease combinations. A walk-through survey of an underground metalliferous mine and concentrator is used to demonstrate how the qualitative matrix can be applied to determine priorities for the control of occupational health hazards. The semi-quantitative matrix uses attributable risk as a quantitative measure of probability and uses qualitative measures of consequence. A practical application of this matrix is the determination of occupational health priorities using existing epidemiological studies. Calculated attributable risks from epidemiological studies of hazard-disease combinations in mining and minerals processing are used as examples. These historic response data do not reflect the risks ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Occupational and environmental exposure to organic ligands, solvents, fuel hydrocarbons, and polychlorinated biphenyls are linked with increased risk of hematologic malignancies. DOE facilities and waste sites in the U.S. are contaminated with mixtures of potentially hazardous chemicals such as metals, organic ligands, solvents, fuel hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls and radioactive isotopes. A major goal of this project was to establish linkage between chemical/radiation exposure and induction of genomic damage in target populations with the capability to undergo transformation.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The population doses and risks of stochastic effects from occupational exposures in Japan in 1978 were estimated on the basis of a nation-wide survey. The survey was conducted on annual collective dose equivalents by sex, age group and type of radiation work for about 82,500 workers other than the workers in nuclear power stations. The data on the workers in nuclear power stations were obtained from the offitial publication of the Japan Nuclear Safety Commission. The total number of workers except for nuclear power stations was estimated to be about 170,000 persons. Radiation works were subdivided as follows: medical works including dental; nondestructive inspectional; non-atomic energy industrial; research and educational; atomic energy industrial and nuclear power industrial. The annual collective dose equivalents were estimated to be about 6,000 man rem for medical workers, 450 man rem for non-destructive inspectional, 450 man rem for ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Naturally occurring radionuclides are present in most material. The most common naturally occurring radionuclides in material are those of the uranium and thorium series and potassium-40. This material is commonly referred to as Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM). In some material the levels of naturally occurring radionuclides are significantly higher, to the extent that regulatory control may be required for radiation protection purposes. Regulation of NORM presents a range of new challenges for both regulators and operators. Unlike more traditional industries dealing with radionuclides, NORM industries have generally not had any radiological oversight and, for example, are not equipped for radiological monitoring. Some consumer goods containing NORM, which have not traditionally been considered as a radiological problem (such as some fertilizers), may require regulation and this may have social and economic consequences. The transport and disposal ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The results of a scoping study of onsite radiation exposures which could take place in each of three types of postulated reactor accidents are presented. The accident types are (1) a fuel handling accident at a Mark III BWR; an interfacing system LOCA or V sequence at a PWR; and and Anticipated Transient Without Scram (ATWS) at a Mark I BWR. Both external and internal dose pathways are considered. The results of the study indicate the prohibitively high radiation doses could be received in some plant areas if personnel were to remain there. However, times of the order of a few minutes to a few hours, depending on the type of accident, would be available before life-threatening doses would be accumulated assuming that the provided full face respiratory protection equipment were used promptly. Special attention was given radiation doses possibly received by control room personnel for several control room air in-leakage assumptions. For occupancy ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The assumed linear relationship between exposure to radiation and cancer incidence is questioned in this article. The current research data on radiation effects at the cellular level is reviewed, as are epidemiological studies of background radiation effects and health effects of populations exposed to low levels of radiation exposure via employment or medical treatments. Statistics reveal that threshold levels currently in force need to be reviewed. Some evidence of beneficial effects of low level radiation exposure effects of low level radiation exposure is also presented, and so regulations should be reviewed at an international level. (UK).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The author briefly discusses definition of terms, gives an introduction to measurement techniques and describes the characteristics of various low-frequency fields and their causes using typical examples: natural electric fields (thunderstroms), natural magnetic fields, technical electric constant fields (urban transportation, households), static magnetic fields (urban transportation, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging), technical electric alternating fields (high-voltage transmission lines, households), and magnetic alternating fields (high-voltage transmission lines). The author discusses both occupational exposure and that of the general public while underpinning his statements by numerous tables, measurement diagrams and charts. (Uhe).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Commission of the European Communities has submitted a directive for the protection against microwaves. According to this directive, exposures above the upper limit established for the protection of individuals and the general population are permissible only if the respective individuals are required to submit to occupational medical control. An introductory overview is presented giving information on microwaves, applied techniques and available protective means.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report discusses a desk-top computer program has been developed for estimating the costs, waste volumes, and occupational radiation exposures associated with decommissioning light-water reactor power stations. Cost categories and cost algorithms used in the program are discussed and a brief description of the user interface is given.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Processing certain raw materials containing natural radioactive isotopes (e.g. U-238, Th-232 or K- 40) into products such as glas, abrasives, grinding materials or electrodes used for gasshielded tungsten-arc welding also leads to certain concentrations of industrial waste containing natural radioactive materials. Such industrial waste does not necessarily contain natural radioactive substances in concentrations exceeding the highest possible levels but nevertheless in significantly measurable quantities. This, however, frequently leads to confusion bordering on irritation by entities processing such substances as well as the general public, since they tend to believe natural radioactive substances in unobjectable concentration to cause similar or identical - health - consequences as man made radioactive substances in detrimental concentration. Radioactive materials may be incorporated intentionally or unintentionally into the product as main or additional ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report covers the second year of the 28 month grant current grant to Clarkson University to study the chemical and physical behavior of the polonium 218 atom immediately following its formation by the alpha decay of radon. Because small changes in size for activity result in large changes in the delivered dose per unit exposure, this behavior must be understood if the exposure to radon progeny and it dose to the cells in the respiratory tract are to be fully assessed. Two areas of radon progeny behavior are being pursued; laboratory studies under controlled conditions to better understand the fundamental physical and chemical process that affect the progeny`s atmospheric behavior and studies in actual indoor environments to develop a better assessment of the exposure of the occupants of that space to the size and concentration of the indoor radioactive aerosol. This report describes the progress ...

Science.gov (United States)

The report contains general information on aluminium and aluminium compounds concerning the existing standards, emissions, exposure levels and effect levels. The document is to be considered as a first evaluation to be used for the national discussion dur...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In evaluating the risk associated with low levels of exposure to toxicants, it is clear that DNA repair, one of the main defenses against agent damage, is not a constant. It can be modified by age, time of day, and physiological state. Nutrition, especially caloric restriction (CR), can modify almost every step in the process of protecting genomic integrity. And history of exposure can modify DNA repair. Thus, the conditions of exposure are almost as important to toxicity as the exposure itself, even at the level of DNA repair. Extrapolation from high to low dose, to be consistent with what is known, should be less a mathematical exercise than an exercise in toxicological judgement, which puts the exposure in proper perspective. This appears to be true at almost every level in the process including a response with a ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The archaeological excavation of a rock shelter (Abrigo del Pozo) in one of the slopes of the Segura River (SE Spain) has revealed a exceptionally preserved sedimentary record spanning from the Paleolithic to the present-day, which includes an anomalous layer of stones (RFB) fallen from the roof. The sedimentary analysis of the stratigraphic sequence exhumed by the excavation indicates that human occupation of the rock shelter was controlled by fluvial environmental evolution. However, the RFB level resulted in a disturbance of human occupation and normal fluvial sedimentation. From the sedimentary and archaeological pieces of evidence, the RFB level has been interpreted as related to a palaeoearthquake responsible for the collapse of the roof and walls of the rock shelter. The palaeoearth...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Health physicists from the Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) visited the Savannah River Site (SRS) as one of 12 facilities operated by the Department of Energy (DOE) contractors with annual collective dose equivalents greater than 100 person-rem (100 person-cSv). Their charter was to review, evaluate and summarize as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) techniques, methods and practices as implemented. This presentation gives an overview of the two selected ALARA practices implemented at the SRS: Administrative Exposure Limits and Goal Setting. These dose control methods are used to assure that individual and collective occupational doses are ALARA and within regulatory limits.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Oil and gas industry is the largest user of radioactive materials in Nigeria. They make use of radiation generators, sealed and unsealed radioactive sources.Some of these are potentially dangerous to human health and environment if not properly controlled. here is also the need to maintain control over occupational exposures to radiation, as well as to protect the public and the environment through proper management of wastes that may be radiologically hazardous. To minimize these, effective regulatory infrastructure is being put in place.For a smooth take-off of the nuclear power program, the National Nuclear Regulatory Authority and other stake holders in the nuclear industry need to start to put together licensing procedure for these.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Full text: This presentation will review the progress achieved so far by the Irish national regulatory agency, the Radiological Protection Institut e of Ireland (R.P.I.I.) in the investigation of work activities where the presence of natural radiation sources (NORM) could lead to a significant increase in exposure to workers or members of the public which cannot be disregarded from the radiation protection point of view. Since the coming into force in Ma y 2000 of the Radiological Protection Act, 1991 (Ionising Radiation) Order, 2000 (S.I. No. 125 of 2000) which implements the Eu B.S.S. Directive 96/29/EURATOM, four major NORM industries currently active in Ireland have been investigated. According to the literature, they are all considered liable to involve work practices resulting in exposure to NORM. They include: the gas extraction and production industry, the peat- and coal-firing power generation industry and the bauxite/alumina refining ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundA key question in the risk assessment of exposures to multiple chemicals is whether mixture effects may occur when chemicals are combined at low doses which individually...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Chronic exposure to uranium compounds such as UO{sub 2} and U{sub 3}O{sub 8} led to the development of a methodology, based on the recommendation of ICRP, involving four main steps: the measurement of the uranium concentration and the particle size distribution at the workstation, the assessment of physico-chemical properties of the compound, the study of in-vitro solubility using a chemical test and the monitoring of workers. Results and comments on UO{sub 2} and U{sub 3}O{sub 8} are given. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This study examines some radiation accidents occurred in the past. This information has been systematically assessed to get global lessons. The experience feedback shows that the most of accidents happened in certain conditions. These conditions can be distributed in four categories: 1- perception and vigilance in occupation: accidental exposure happened by lack of vigilance in details and lack of vigilance and perception; 2- procedures: accidental exposure happened following a lack of procedures or control that were not enough complete, not enough documented or not completely implemented; 3- training and understanding: accidental exposures happened because the personnel was not enough qualified and educated, did not get the general training nor the the necessary specialized training; 4- liabilities: accidental exposures happened following lacks and ambiguity in the definition of ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The purpose of this article is to critically review the available evidence pertaining to occupational, environmental, and individual factors that can affect the development of occupational asthma (OA)....Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Aim: Changes within the brain detected by MRI after chronic manganese poisoning raised the question whether morphological changes of the basal ganglia, particularly of the globus pallidus, could be detected after chronic occupational exposure to manganese dioxide. Results: No cases of parkinsonism were detected in clinical examinations or by other means. The mean manganese concentration in blood was 12 {mu}g/l (range: 3.9-23.3 {mu}g/l). In comparison to the upper reference value of 10 {mu}g/l, 42 workers (56%) had a higher body burden. A significant positive correlation between manganese levels in blood and the PI (indicated by T{sub 1}-shortening) was observed as well as between the CBI and workplace-specific exposure. Brain atrophy was not detected in any of the observed cases. Conclusions: Long-term exposure to manganese dioxide dust correlates with the Pallidum-Index in MRI ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This book examines the occupational health hazards imposed by neoplasms. Topics considered include: cancer as an occupational hazard; an overview; epidemiological evidence; and interaction of host and lifestyle factors with occupational chemicals in cancer causation.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Daily exposures of adult beagle dogs to inhaled radon daughters and to uranium ore dust for 4-1/2 to 6 yr have produced respiratory tract carcinomas, at similar cumulative working level months (WLM) of exposures to those which induced carcinomas in uranium miners. Biological data from the beagle-dog experiments can therefore be used for prediction of carcinogenic risk under changing exposure conditions in future uranium miners.

Science.gov (United States)

Sixty-Hz magnetic field exposures were measured for 45 adult residents of Maine. Thirty of the subjects resided near rights-of-way (ROWs) with either 345- and 115-kV transmission lines, or ROWs with only 115-kV transmission lines; fifteen resided far from any transmission lines. Personal exposure data for a single 24-hour period was acquired with the EMDEX. The EMDEX's event-marker button was used to partition exposures into Home and Away components. Also, three area measurements were taken for each subject during the personal exposure measurement period: (1) 24-hr fixed-site bedroom measurement with a second EMDEX; (2) Spot measurements in at least three rooms of every residence; and (3) Spot measurements outside each residence. Residence near transmission lines highly loaded during the measurement period was associated with increased Home and Total exposure relative to a ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Human exposure to environmental chemicals is most correctly characterized as exposure to mixtures of these agents. The metals/metalloids, lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As), are among the leading toxic agents detected in the environment. Exposure to these elements, particularly at chronic low dose levels, is still a major public health concern. Concurrent exposure to Pb, Cd, or As may produce additive or synergistic interactions or even new effects that are not seen in single component exposures. Evaluating these interactions on a mechanistic basis is essential for risk assessment and management of metal/metalloid mixtures. This paper will review a number of individual studies that addressed interactions of these metals/metalloids in both experimental and human exposure studies with...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The document published under A/63:46 and titled report of the scientific committee of United Nations for the study of ionizing radiations effects, gives the situation of the fifty sixth session of the committee that stood at Vienna from the 10. to 18. july 2008. In the chapter 3 of this report the writers summarize the strategic planning and the working program of the scientific committee for the period 2009-2013. They note that the committee worry about the inadequate means, particularly in personnel. The priorities for the given period will be the medical exposure of patients, the radiation levels and the effects of energy production, the exposure to natural radiation sources and the improvement of the understanding of the effects of the low doses radiation exposure. (N.C.)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The use of uranium mill tailings in the foundations of dwellings has resulted in indoor radon progeny concentrations and gamma exposures in excess of levels presently allowed for the general public. An account is given of the applications of an epoxy coating on the indoor faces of the concrete foundations of three buildings in Grand Junction, Colorado. Epoxy barriers were shown to be effective for preventing radon influx into structures. Gamma exposure rates must be analyzed to ensure that buildup behind the barrier will not introduce an unacceptable gamma exposure level. The use of a sealant is especially economical in situations where structural integrity may be jeopardized by physical removal of uranium mill tailings. (author).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The estimation of radiation dose to man from either external or internal exposure to radionuclides requires a knowledge of the energies and intensities of the atomic and nuclear radiations emitted during the radioactive decay process. The availability of evaluated decay data for the large number of radionuclides of interest is thus of fundamental importance for radiation dosimetry. This handbook contains a compilation of decay data for approximately 500 radionuclides. These data constitute an evaluated data file constructed for use in the radiological assessment activities of the Technology Assessments Section of the Health and Safety Research Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The radionuclides selected for this handbook include those occurring naturally in the environment, those of potential importance in routine or accidental releases from the nuclear fuel cycle, those of current interest in nuclear medicine and fusion reactor technology, and some of ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Radioactive waste shipping and receiving facilities presently planned for commercial and defence high level nuclear waste will handle waste packages at frequencies far in excess of those in common practice today. If current limits for radiation levels at the cask surface and current handling methods are used, high cumulative personnel exposure to ionizing radiation is projected to occur. To reduce these exposure levels, alternate handling methods are being developed and demonstrated. The production nature of cask receiving operations suggests commercial robotics be incorporated into a remote handling system to reduce predicted worker exposure to acceptable levels while maintaining or increasing throughput. The first phase of cask handling system development culminated in a proof-of-principle test demonstrating the feasibility of performing ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Theatres are the most complex of all auditorium structures environmentally. They usually have high heat loads, which are of a transient nature as audiences come and go, and from lighting which changes from scene to scene, and they generally have full or nearly full occupancy. Theatres also need to perform well acoustically, both for the spoken word and for music, and as sound amplification is less used than in other auditoria, background noise control is critically important. All these factors place constraints on the ventilation design, and if this is poor, it can lead to the deterioration of indoor air quality and thermal comfort. To analyse the level of indoor air quality and thermal comfort in a typical medium-sized mechanically ventilated theatre, and to identify where improvements could typically be made, a comprehensive post-occupancy evaluation study was carried out on a theatre in Belgrade. The evaluation, based on ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sodium-dependent high-affinity choline uptake was measured in the striatum, frontal cortex, hippocampus, and hypothalamus of rats after acute exposure (45 min) to pulsed (2 microseconds, 500 pps) or continuous-wave 2,450-MHz microwaves in cylindrical waveguides or miniature anechoic chambers. In all exposure conditions, the average whole-body specific absorption rate was at 0.6 W/kg. Decrease in choline uptake was observed in the frontal cortex after microwave exposure in all of the above irradiation conditions. Regardless of the exposure system used, hippocampal choline uptake was decreased after exposure to pulsed but not continuous-wave microwaves. Striatal choline uptake was decreased after exposure to either pulsed or continuous-wave microwaves in the miniature anechoic chamber. No significant change in hypothalamic choline uptake was observed under any of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Some of the known toxic effects of lead in mammals including man are, impaired heme synthesis, anemia, nepatopathy, nephropathy, behavioral disorders and neuropathy. However, very little is known about the effect of lead on endocrine physiology. Some data are available on lead induced impairment of thyroid function in occupationally exposed men and experimental rats. As lead nitrate is largely consumed through water and food, in this study the wild rodents Funambulus pennanti were administered lead through their drinking water and their thyroid structure, radioiodine 131-I percentage uptake and protein bound iodine (PBI) level were assessed.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The Toxicological Evaluation of Realistic Emissions of Source Aerosols (TERESA) study involved withdrawal, aging, and atmospheric transformation of emissions of three coal-fired power plants. Toxicological evaluations were carried out in rats exposed to different emission scenarios with extensive exposure characterization. Data generated had multiple levels of resolution: exposure, scenario, and constituent chemical composition. Here, we outline a multilayered approach to analyze the associations between exposure and health effects beginning with standard ANOVA models that treat exposure as a categorical variable. The model assessed differences in exposure effects across scenarios (by plant). To assess unadjusted associations between pollutant concentrations and health, univariate analyses...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The development of attenuated response ({open_quotes}tolerance{close_quotes}) to daily ozone (O{sub 3}) exposures in the laboratory is well established in healthy adult volunteers. However, the capability of asthmatics to develop tolerance during multiday ozone exposures in unclear. We exposed 10 adult volunteers with mild asthma to 0.4 ppm O{sub 3} in filtered air for 3 h/d on 5 consecutive d. Two similar filtered-air exposures during the preceding week served as controls. Follow-up O{sub 3} exposures were performed 4 and 7 d after the most recent consecutive exposure. All exposures were performed in an environmental chamber at 31 {degrees}C and 35% relative humidity. The subjects performed moderate exercise (mean ventilation rate of 32 l/min) for 15 min of each half-hour. Responses were measured with spirometry and symptom evaluations before and after each ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The author briefly discusses definition of terms, gives an introduction to measurement techniques and describes the characteristics of various low-frequency fields and their causes using typical examples: natural electric fields (thunderstroms), natural magnetic fields, technical electric constant fields (urban transportation, households), static magnetic fields (urban transportation, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging), technical electric alternating fields (high-voltage transmission lines, households), and magnetic alternating fields (high-voltage transmission lines). The author discusses both occupational exposure and that of the general public while underpinning his statements by numerous tables, measurement diagrams and charts. (Uhe) [Deutsch] Nach einer kurzen Diskussion der Begriffsdefinitionen und einer Einfuehrung in die Messtechnik werden die Charakteristika verschiedener niederfrequenter Felder und ihre Ursachen anhand typischer ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Radioactive waste shipping and receiving facilities presently planned for commercial and defense nuclear waste will handle waste packages at frequencies far in excess of those in common practice today. Unacceptable personnel exposure to ionizing radiation is projected to occur if current limits for radiation levels at the cask surface and current handling methods are used. To reduce these exposure levels, alternate handling methods are being developed and demonstrated. The production nature of cask receiving operations suggests commercial robotics be incorporated into a remote handling system to reduce predicted worker exposure to acceptable levels, while maintaining or increasing throughput. The first phase of cask handling system development culminated in a proof-of-principle test demonstrating the feasibility of performing cask receiving and unloading ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

SX Holdings Limited intends to establish a rare earths plant at Port Pirie, South Australia. The proposal involves three stages of development, Stage 3 being to develop a monazite cracking plant and associated rare earths separation facility with the capacity to process up to 8,000 t/a of monazite-type ores. The proposed initial capacity is 4,000 t/a. This Draft Environmental Impact Statement relates to Stage 3 and is based on a monazite processing capacity of 8,000 t/a. The justification of the project is given in terms of use and the market for rare earths, the economic and environmental benefits of the proposal, the site selection process, site rehabilitation, and the consequences of not proceeding. A detailed description of the project is given, including the treatment process, site development and facilities, the supply of raw materials, product and waste handling, transport and storage, plant commissioning, operation and decommissioning, construction and staffing. The ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Collective dose equivalent and population dose from occupational exposures in Japan, 1988 were estimated on the basis of a nationwide survey. The survey was conducted on annual collective dose equivalents by sex, age group and type of radiation work for about 0.21 million workers except for the workers in nuclear power stations. The data on the workers in nuclear power stations were obtained from the official report of the Japan Nuclear Safety Commission. The total number of workers including nuclear power stations was estimated to be about 0.26 million. Radiation works were subdivided as follows: medical works including dental; non-atomic energy industry; research and education; atomic energy industry and nuclear power station. For the determination of effective dose equivalent and population dose, organ or tissue doses were measured with a phantom experiment. The resultant doses were compared with the doses previously calculated using a chord ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The High Exposure Facility is a collimated high-level gamma irradiator that is located in the basement of the 318 building. It was custom developed by PNNL back in 1982 to meet the needs for high range radiological instrument calibrations and dosimeter irradiations. At the time no commercially available product existed that could create exposure rates up to 20,000 R/h. This document is intended to pass on the design criteria that was employed to create this unique facility, while maintaining compliance with ANSI N543-1974, "General Safety Standard for Installations Using Non-Medical X-Ray and Sealed Gamma-Ray Sources, Energies up to 10 MeV."

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The aim of this paper is to present and evaluate control strategies for adjustment and preservation of air quality, thermal and visual comfort for buildings' occupants while, simultaneously, energy consumption reduction is achieved. Fuzzy PID, fuzzy PD and adaptive fuzzy PD control methods are applied. The inputs to any controller are: the PMV index affecting thermal comfort, the CO{sub 2} concentration affecting indoor air quality and the illuminance level affecting visual comfort. The adaptive fuzzy PD controller adapts the inputs and outputs scaling factors and is based on a second order reference model. More specifically, the scaling factors are modified according to a sigmoid type function, in such a way that the measured variable to be as closer as possible to the reference model. The adaptive fuzzy PD controller is compared to a non-adaptive fuzzy PD and to an ON-OFF one. The comparison criteria are the energy required and the ...

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This chapter is concerned with standards and guidances for limiting radiation exposures. It is divided into three sections, each of which has several parts. Section 1: Ionizing Radiation -- Standards and Guidances Applicable to the Public: Part A, Radiation Protection Standards; Part B, Environmental Radiation Standards; Part C, Exempt Levels of Radioactivity; Part D, Protective Action Guides for Accidents. Section 2: Ionizing Radiation -- Standards Applicable to the Workplace. Section 3: Medical and Other Standards.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Cadmium (Cd) exposure causes glucosuria (glucose in the urine). Previously, it was shown that Cd exposure of primary cultures of mouse kidney cells (PMKC) decreased mRNA levels of the glucose...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

School buses contribute substantially to childhood air pollution exposures yet they are rarely quantified in epidemiology studies. This paper characterizes fine particulate matter (PM_2.5)...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A number of noise equivalent quanta (NEQ(u)) has been used in the evaluation of imaging systems. In this paper, we have evaluated the image quality of Fuji computed radiography (FCR) using of NEQ (u) and considered with the effects of the aliasing error of the FCR. The noise samples of the FCR were made by three different exposure levels, and one of these has the same exposure level of the screen-film system. These samples were set with the same characteristic curve condition as that of the screen-film system. Results indicate that NEQ (u) of the FCR system at low frequencies varies depending on the exposure level. On the same exposure level, NEQ(u) of screen-film system has a higher value than that of FCR in the frequency region over 2.5 cycles/mm. Moreover, the aliasing error of FCR increases at the frequency region ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether exposure to exogenous physiological concentrations of caffeine influence contractility, Ca²⁺ handling, and fatigue development...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundChronic wasting disease (CWD) of cervids is a prion disease distinguished by high levels of transmissibility, wherein bodily fluids and excretions are thought to play an...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Heat production in biological materials due to absorption of radiowaves and microwaves can be used in applications as diverse as cancer treatment and cooking. However, the hazards of overexposure range from hyperthermia to cataracts and internal burns. To maximize the clinical benefits and minimize potential hazards, the biological effects of radiowaves and microwaves must be understood. Dielectric measurements can be used to determine the extent of such effects in various applications and at various levels of exposure. The values of maximum permissible exposure levels that are likely to be recommended aeat production in biological materials due to absorption of radiowaves and microwaves can be used in applications as diverse as cancer treatment and cooking. However, the hazards of overexposure range from hyperthermia to cataracts and internal burns. To maximize the clinical benefits and minimize ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The herbicide atrazine is a known immunotoxicant and an inhibitor of human natural killer (NK) cell lytic function. The precise changes in NK cell lytic function following atrazine exposure have not been fully elucidated. The current study identifies the point at which atrazine exerts its affect on the stepwise process of human NK cell-mediated lyses of the K562 target cell line. Using intracellular staining of human peripheral blood lymphocytes, it was determined that a 24-h in vitro exposure to atrazine did not decrease the level of NK cell lytic proteins granzyme A, granzyme B or perforin. Thus, it was hypothesized that atrazine exposure was inhibiting the ability of the NK cells to bind to the target cell and subsequently inhibit the release of lytic protein from the NK cell. To test t...

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The effects of repeated low-level nerve agent exposure on animal performance and lethality are a major concern of USAF Medical Research. This concern has generated interest in the role that pretreatment drugs such as pyridostigmine may play during simultaneous exposure to soman. This role was investigated by recording lethality, weights, symptoms, and cholinesterase (ChE) inhibition in rats chronically exposed to 4 levels of soman (32, 39, 48 or 59 micrograms/kg/day) while simultaneously receiving 10.0 milligrams/kg/day pyridostigmine, 1.0 milligrams/kg/day pyridostigmine, or vehicle via an osmotic pump. No effect (either protective or detractive) was found in the soman-poisoned animals due to the presence or absence of pyridostigmine. However, rat blood biochemistry is different from that of the primate, warranting further study in the primate before extrapolation to man.

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There are many sources of population exposures to power-frequency (50/60 Hz) electric and magnetic fields including household appliances and wiring, neighborhood distribution circuits, and high-voltage transmission lines. Bioeffects studies were unable to demonstrate that exposures to power-frequency fields can affect public health. Researcher have likewise been unable to show that the health effects of such exposures are negligible. State and federal regulatory agencies are, therefore, grappling with questions of whether and how to regulate the sitting or design of new extra high-voltage transmission lines so as to control the ground-level fields to which people are exposed. The purpose of this dissertation is to illuminate some of the exposure-related aspects of these question. A taxonomy of the relationship between field encounter and effect is developed to clarify the meaning of ...

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Children are at higher risk from lead exposure because their developing neural system is susceptible to its neurotoxic effects. We studied lead levels of paints manufactured in Nigeria in 2006. Lead levels in 5 colors of paints, each from different manufacturers were measured using flame-atomic absorption spectroscopy. We found that 96% of the paints had higher than recommended levels of lead. The mean lead level of paints ranged from 84.8 to 50,000 ppm, with mean of 14,500 ppm and median of 15,800 ppm. The main determinant of lead levels was color of the paint. As lead levels in paint sold in the past years in Nigeria are likely to be at least as high as that currently sold, it is likely that many existing houses contain dangerously high levels of lead. Efforts need to be undertaken to assess the presence of high lead ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In Oslo, traffic has been one of the dominating sources of air pollution in the last decade. In one part of the city where most traffic collects, two tunnels were built. A series of before and after studies was carried out in connection with the tunnels in use. Dispersion models were used as a basis for estimating exposure to nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter in two fractions. Exposure estimates were based on the results of the dispersion model providing estimates of outdoor pollutant concentrations on an hourly basis. The estimates represent concentrations in receptor points and in a square kilometre grid. The estimates were used to assess development of air pollution load in the areas, compliance with air quality guidelines, and to provide a basis for quantifying exposure-effect relationships in epidemiological studies. After both tunnels were taken in use, the pollution levels in the study ...

KoreaScience (Korea)

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Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Soviet Union does not currently have an overall radioactive waste management program or national laws that define objectives, procedures, and standards, although such a law is being developed, according to the Soviets. Occupational health and safety does not appear to receive major attention as it does in Western nations. In addition, construction practices that would be considered marginal in Western facilities show up in Soviet nuclear power and waste management operations. The issues involved with radioactive waste management and environmental restoration are being investigated at several large Soviet institutes; however, there is little apparent interdisciplinary integration between them, or interaction with the USSR Academy of Sciences. It is expected that a consensus on technical solutions will be achieved, but it may be slow in coming, especially for final disposal of high-level radioactive wastes and environmental restoration of ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract In this article, I investigate the relation between economic inequality and the decision to take up studies at the tertiary level late in life. Who exactly decides to enrol? Is it advantaged or disadvantaged groups in terms of current earnings rank, occupation, unemployment experience and social origin? Using unique register data of university applications and discrete time hazard regression models, the results show the likelihood of a late entry to be especially high for individuals who are disadvantaged to a moderate extent in terms of current earnings rank and also with some unemployment experience. Class differences in the transition to tertiary education decline with age. This suggests, with a moderate amount of simplification, that lifelong learning tends to promote both int...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The z-phase, existing between 35% and 70% U in Pu, belongs to the high-density phases seen from the point of view of systematics of allotropic modifications of Pu metal. Despite the volume per actinide atom only slightly higher than for a-Pu, it magnetic susceptibility is much higher than for a-Pu and exceeds even the d-Pu value. Similarly, the Sommerfeld coefficient g>40mJ/mol Pu K2 exceeds the experimental d-Pu value. The data confirm that the volume is not the primary control parameter affecting the situation around the Fermi level of common Pu phases and they point against the traditional belief that they are essentially narrow 5f band systems. Electronic structure calculations suggest that the 5f states of Pu have slightly lower occupancy comparing with d-Pu. A tendency to the 5f loca...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The US Department of Energy has provided support to four universities and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in order to pursue research leading to the development and deployment of an advanced robotic system capable of performing tasks that are hazardous to humans, that generate significant occupational radiation exposure, and/or whose execution times can be reduced if performed by an automated system. The goal is to develop a generation of advanced robotic systems capable of performing surveillance, maintenance, and repair tasks in nuclear facilities and other hazardous environments. This goal will be achieved through a team effort among the Universities of Florida, Michigan, Tennessee, Texas, and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and their industrial partners, Combustion Engineering, Martin Marietta Baltimore Aerospace, Odetics, Remotec, and Telerobotics International. Each of the universities and ORNL have ongoing activities and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Reduction of occupational radiation exposure dose in a BWR plant is achieved by an elimination of crud in a BWR primary loop condensate stream by condensate demineralizer. Crud removal by condensate polisher improves year by year, a phenomenon called the Aging Effect of Ion Exchange Resins. The cause of this phenomenon is assumed to be mainly due to changes in the cation resin property becoming more crud adsorptive, where a typical change in physical property of aged cation resin is an increase in water retention capacity. Assuming that the crud removal efficiency was influenced by a crosslinkage of cation resin, an attempt was made to enhance this removal efficiency by decreasing the crosslinkage and satisfactory results were obtained. As a result, new gel type cation resins were developed with lower crosslinkage and larger surface areas, as compared with conventional gel type resins. The crosslinkage degree of these new cation resins are ...

Science.gov (United States)

An evaluation was made of possible hazardous working conditions at the ASARCO Globe facility, Denver, Colorado. The facility was involved in the recovery of cadmium from baghouse dust, a waste byproduct of nonferrous smelters. A medical study of kidney function was conducted in 45 current or former cadmium production workers; results were compared to those for 35 hospital workers. Kidney abnormalities were more common and more severe in the cadmium workers than in the hospital workers. Abnormalities of proximal tubular function included reduced reabsorption of beta-2-microglobulin, retinol binding protein, calcium and phosphate. Glomerular dysfunction was evidenced as elevated serum creatinine. As length of exposure to cadmium increased, changes became more apparent in workers. No reversal of the conditions was noted in workers who had ceased to be exposed to cadmium some time before the study. The authors conclude that occupational ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Background: The effective-dose method which was proposed by the ICRP (International Commission of Radiation Protection) for the estimation of risk to the general population from occupational or environmental, low-dose radiation exposure is not adequate for estimating the risk of cancer induction by radiotherapy of malignant or nonmalignant diseases. Methods:The risk of cancer induction by radiotherapy of benign diseases should be based on epidemiologic data directly derived from follow-up studies of patients who had been given radiotherapy for nonmalignant diseases in the past. Results: Risk factors were derived from epidemiologic studies of patients treated with irradiation for nonmalignant diseases to be used for selecting treatment options and optimizing treatment procedures. Conclusion: In most cases, cancer risks estimated by the effective-dose method may overestimate the true risks by one order of magnitude, yet in other cases even may ...

Science.gov (United States)

AIDE (Activity and Internal Dose Estimates) is a software for calculating activities in compartments and committed doses due to occupational exposures, and for performing intake and dose estimates using bioassay data. It has been continuously developed and tested for more than 20 years. Its calculation core has been applied in several situations, like performing all dose estimates due to (137)Cs intakes, which occurred during the Goiania accident in 1987; performing quality assurance of the ICRP Task Group on Dose Calculations regarding calculations of activities in compartments and generation of dose coefficients for adults due to intakes by inhalation, ingestion and injection of several radionuclides; and producing the tables of activities in compartments and dose coefficients using the NCRP Wound Model for the NCRP report. It provides several capabilities like performing calculations using modified Human Respiratory Tract Model parameters ...

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This study was intended to help explain individual differences in susceptibility to irritant effects of ozone (O3), by determining whether prior ambient O3 exposures and/or recent acute respiratory illness modified response to laboratory O3 exposures. Response was measured in terms of lung function changes and irritant symptoms. Initially, 59 adult volunteer Los Angeles area residents underwent screening exposures in spring, before the season of frequent high ambient O3 levels. Unusually responsive and nonresponsive individuals (N = 12 and 13 respectively) underwent followup exposures in autumn (late in the high-O3 season) and in winter (low-O3 season). All exposures were to 0.18 ppm O3 for 2 hr with intermittent heavy exercise at 31 degrees C and 35% relative humidity. Nonresponders tended to remain nonresponsive throughout. In fall, responders had lost much of ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The genetically significant dose (GSD) is an index variable which exclusively allows to describe the genetic risk in the progeny of a population due to the application of ionizing radiation and radioactive substances in one part of this population. It may result in wrong interpretation of population exposure at increasing incidence of examinations in a population involving ionizing radiation and radioactive drugs at simultaneously increasing application of alternative methods in children and adolescents owing to the fact that it indicates a downward trend although somatic exposure of this population has increased. Therefore, it is recommended to state both the GSD and the level of somatic radiation exposure of the population taken from the individual sources for the comparison and assessment of radiation exposure from various sources in future. Although the somatically significant ...

Science.gov (United States)

Exposure of the freshwater field crab Barytelphusa guerini to a sublethal concentration of NaF (30 mg litre(-1)) caused significant alterations in protein metabolism. After an exposure time of 15 days, the crab was found to have a marked depletion of total protein and free amino acid content. A significant elevation in transaminases, Aspartate aminotransferase (AAT) and Alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), and Glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) activities was reflected in the free amino acid levels of the tissues. PMID:15092215

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Coumarin (1,2-benzopyrone) is occurring in food, and is also used in cosmetics. In order to perform a risk assessment for both oral and dermal exposure, we applied a physiologically based approach to model kinetics in humans by simulating both routes of exposure. The concentration-time profile in liver revealed a higher peak concentration (Cmax-hep) for the oral when compared to the dermal route. The area under the concentration-time curve in the liver (AUChep) was found the same for both routes if the same extent of absorption is assumed. Dose response information from published rat studies were used to identify the metric relevant for liver toxicity. Liver exposure levels resulting from doses and durations as outlined in the studies were simulated in a rat model. We obtained 31 data pair...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Short-duration measurements have been widely used to screen for exposures to elevated radon concentrations in individual houses or at state or regional levels. However, a number of factors, including spatial and temporal variability in radon concentrations, must be considered before comparison to concentration guidelines can be made. Daily variations in radon concentration can lead to inherent measurement uncertainties ranging from 20 to 100+ percent. Differences in radon concentration due to seasonal effects and/or sampling location are also variable, and do not appear to be regionally consistent. Winter/summer concentration ratios, for example, have been observed to vary by as much as a factor of 10 in basements and by a factor of 5 in first floors. In this paper the implications of these uncertainties on the use of short-term sampling for inferring long-term exposures are discussed.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This study was designed to quantitate the dose resulting from lead exposure during the critical periods of brain development during gestation by determining: (1) if blood lead concentration in rat dams is affected by pregnancy status or duration of lead exposure, (2) if lead concentration in fetuses is associated with the duration of dam exposure, (3) the rates of lead absorption and elimination in pregnant and nonpregnant dams; and (4) the effect that prebreeding exposure on lead kinetics in the dam and upon fetus blood lead concentrations. The results of experiments in which the dams' drinking water contained 50 mg/L lead indicate blood lead levels (after normalizing by water consumption on a body weight basis) of pregnant rats are significantly higher than blood lead levels of non-pregnant rats. Statistical differences in blood lead ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

A `step-by-step' method was used to develop a simplified procedure for calculating pesticide residue levels on fruit at harvest by considering the application of the compound and the relevant routes of loss. The model is applicable to cases where the most important exposure route is by direct spray to the canopy of the crop and where uptake into the plant by the roots can be disregarded. The exposure dose is calculated by considering the proportion of total crop cover represented by the fruits. The loss processes considered are photodegradation, uptake, volatilization and washoff. The outputs of the model were compared with measured residues of pesticides on pear. Analysis of the model fit demonstrates that the model predicted the measured data with a good level of accuracy for four of sev...

Science.gov (United States)

The study surveyed urban women's use of information media and drew attention to the implications for women in leadership positions and non-formal education. A questionnaire containing structured and unstructured items was administered to 300 women resident at Nsukka urban town Enugu State, Nigeria. One hundred and twenty-five usable copies were used for the data analysis. The findings show that oral media are the most popular among women irrespective of level of education and type of occupation. The level of education influenced the use of radio and television. Popular radio and television programmes among women include newscasts, socio-cultural programmes, music and drama. Problems hindering women's use of radio and television include time constraint, poor reception, poor condition of available sets and lack of money for repairs among others. Based on these findings the implication for the achievement of the Universal ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The activity concentrations of potassium, uranium and thorium in minerals and soil samples from a mining site in Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria were measured using gamma ray spectroscopy method. Effective dose per annum has been calculated from the activity concentrations of dominant gamma-emitting natural radionuclides, potassium, uranium and thorium. Samples collected include minerals (beryl, quartz and feldspar), soil samples from the mining pits, heaps and undisturbed land around the mining site. The activity concentrations of "4"0K, "2"3"8U and "2"3"2Th, respectively in Bq kg-1 in the mineral samples were as follows: 1985 #+-# 16, 4.8 #+-# 0.9 and 11.8 #+-# 5.8 for beryl sample, 115.1 #+-# 27.9, 5.0 #+-# 1.3 and 6.3 #+-# 5.0 for feldspar samples and 1421 #+-# 122, <4.8 and 20.1 #+-# 3.5 for quartz samples. For the soil samples, the mean activity concentrations of "4"0K, "2"3"8U and "2"3"2Th, respectively, were 314.2 #+-# 5.7, 27.7 #+-# 2.6 and 11.5 #+-# 5.9 Bq kg-1 for soil ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Metabolism of benzene is thought to be necessary to produce the toxic effects, including carcinogenicity, associated with benzene exposure. To extrapolate from the results of rodent studies to potential health risks in man, one must know how benzene metabolism is affected by species, dose, dose rate, and repeated versus single exposures. The purpose of our studies was to determine the effect of repeated inhalation exposures on the metabolism of [14C]benzene by rodents. Benzene metabolism was assessed by characterizing and quantitating urinary metabolites, and by quantitating 14C bound to hemoglobin and micronuclei induction. F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice were exposed, nose-only, to 600 ppm benzene or to air (control) for 6 hr/day, 5 days/week for 3 weeks. On the last day, both benzene-pretreated and control animals were exposed to 600 ppm, 14C-labeled benzene for 6 hr. Individual benzene metabolites in urine collected for 24 ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A cross-sectional medical examination of a copper smelter work force included determination of blood lead (Pb-B), zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP), blood cadmium (Cd-B), urinary cadmium (Cd-U), and urinary arsenic (As-U), since it was known that such metal impurities were present in the copper concentrate. A total of 776 copper smelter employees (680 active and 96 retirees and ex-employees) were examined. Another 144 men, never employed in the smelter, but who had worked in copper mines (and sometimes in gold mines) were also examined. Mean Pb-B, ZPP, Cd-B, and As-U were significantly higher in active copper smelter employees than in retirees or miners, indicating exposure and absorption in the copper smelter. Significant correlations between Pb-B and Cd-B, and Cd-U and As-U were present, confirming the common source of absorption. Although there was evidence for an increased lead absorption, this was very moderate, with practically no Pb-B levels in ...

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In previous research, we found that sodium-dependent high-affinity choline uptake in the hippocampus and frontal cortex of the rat was lowered after acute (45 min) exposure to low-level 2450-MHz pulsed microwaves (power density 1 mW/cm2; average whole body specific absorption rate, 0.6 W/kg; 2 mu sec pulses, 500 pps). In the present experiment, we investigated developments of tolerance and classical conditioning to these effects of microwaves. Rats were exposed to microwaves in cylindrical waveguides in 10 daily sessions (45 min per session). In an 11th session, we subjected the rats to either microwave (study of tolerance) or sham exposure (study of conditioned effect) for 45 min, and immediately measured choline uptake in the hippocampus and frontal cortex. We found that tolerance, a decrease in response to microwaves, developed to the effect of microwaves on choline uptake in the hippocampus, but not in the frontal ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The author describes the history of the Soviet Unions nuclear weapons testing in Siberia from the first bomb on 29th August 1949 until the test-ban treaty of 1963. The effects of the weapons testing on the local population is only now becoming widely known. Levels of cancers and cataracts are significantly higher than in uneffected populations, and there are also high levels of some lung, bone, skin and digestive conditions. Perhaps the most important information relates to cataracts, previously thought to be caused by single large bursts of radiation. Regulatory authorities worldwide will need to tighten the safety limits for eye radiation exposure to these findings. (U.K.).

CERN Document Server

No magnetic monopoles were found in 2.5*10/sup 18/ primary proton- aluminium interactions produced by exposing an aluminium target to the Fermilab 300 GeV/c proton beam. Negative searches have also resulted from exposures of material to electrons at SLAC and from pp interactions at the CERN-ISR. The monopole pair production probability in proton-nucleon collisions is shown to be of order 10/sup -18/ or less, with 95% confidence level, if monopoles have masses less than 12 GeV. (24 refs).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This document presents the SSI preliminary views and position concerning the decommissioning of nuclear plants. To prevent the exposure of the decommissioning personnel and the general public to unacceptable levels of radiation and to protect the environment and future generations, it is SSI`s task to formulate and issue the necessary terms and regulations with which the reactor licensees must comply during the decommissioning work. The views and principles presented here are the basis of SSI`s continued work on guidelines and regulations for the decommissioning of nuclear plants.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Uranyl nitrate ("2"3"3U) was retained mainly in lung, skeleton, pelt and kidney 60 days after inhalation exposure. The concentration in lung exceeded that in other tissues. Preliminary results with "2"3"2U indicate retention in lung similar to that of "2"3"3U, at total deposited mass levels of 0.1 #mu#g or less.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ionizing radiation dose levels due to home radon can rise to levels that would be illegal for workers in the nuclear industry. It is well known that radon levels within homes and from home to home, and also from month to month, vary considerably. To define an Isle of Man radon seasonal correction factor, readings were taken in eight homes over a 12 month period. An average island indoor exposure of 48 Bq m{sup -3} (range 4-518 Bq m{sup -3}) was determined from 285 homes selected from a cohort of 1300 families participating in the European Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood (ELSPAC) in the Isle of Man. This compares with a UK home average of 20 Bq m{sup -3} and a European Union average (excluding UK) of 68 Bq m{sup -3}. Ten homes of those measured were found to have radon levels above the National Radiological Protection Board 200 Bq m{sup -3} action ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Combinations of exposure concentrations, durations and frequencies were tested in four-week inhalation exposures followed by two weeks of recovery to define the interactive effects of these variables on biologic responses and to select the most-sensitive biologic response parameters for the subsequent subchronic studies. Response surface modeling was used for the experimental design and statistical analysis of the data. Results of preliminary testing suggested that exposure duration and frequency did not have major effects. Subsequently, male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed in separate studies to RP/BR aerosols ranging from 0.40 to 1.20 mg/1 or to filtered air for 2.25 hr/day on four days/week for four weeks. Test-atmosphere monitoring data demonstrated that aerosol concentrations were consistently within 4% of the target values and mean particle size ranged from 0.44-0.64 ..mu..m with mean sigma g's of ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The cytotoxicity of 15-nm and 46-nm silica nanoparticles was investigated by using crystalline silica (Min-U-Sil 5) as a positive control in cultured human bronchoalveolar carcinoma-derived cells. Exposure to 15-nm or 46-nm SiO_2 nanoparticles for 48 h at dosage levels between 10 and 100 #mu#g/ml decreased cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. Both SiO_2 nanoparticles were more cytotoxic than Min-U-Sil 5; however, the cytotoxicities of 15-nm and 46-nm silica nanoparticles were not significantly different. The 15-nm SiO_2 nanoparticles were used to determine time-dependent cytotoxicity and oxidative stress responses. Cell viability decreased significantly as a function of both nanoparticle dosage (10-100 #mu#g/ml) and exposure time (24 h, 48 h, and 72 h). Indicators of oxidative stress and cytotoxicity, including total reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione, malondialdehyde, and lactate dehydrogenase, were ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The detailed features of the calculated energy-level schemes and of thesingle-particle, orbit-occupancy properties of the low-lying levels of the/ital N/=50 isotones /sup 80/Zn, /sup 81/Ga,/sup 82/Ge, /sup 83/As, /sup 84/Se,/sup 85/Br, /sup 86/Kr, and /sup 87/Rb arepresented and discussed. These results are obtained with a new effectiveHamiltonian operator obtained empirically from an iterative fit to experimentalenergies taken from all experimentally studied (/ital A/=82--96)/ital N/=50 nuclei. The model space for the calculations consists ofactive 0/ital f//sub 5/2/, 1/ital p//sub 3/2/,1/ital p//sub 1/2/, and 0/ital g//sub 9/2/ proton orbits relativeto a nominal /sup 78/Ni core. This space is truncated internally byrestricting the number of particles excited from the negative-parity orbitsinto the /ital g//sub 9/2/ orbit to be no greater than four. The typicalstructures predicted for these lighter /ital N/=50 isotones are ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An assessment was undertaken of the risk of liver cancer in the USA associated with aflatoxin ingestion from peanuts. Both laboratory-animal data and epidemiological data collected from the scientific literature and several prominent mathematical extrapolation techniques were used. Risk estimates differed by a factor of greater than 1000 when the extrapolated results of three selected animal studies were analysed. Dose-response data for the male Fischer rat, the most sensitive mammalian species studied, produced an estimate of 158 cases of liver cancer per year in the USA at current levels of aflatoxin exposure. An estimate of 58 annual cases was predicted on the basis of epidemiological data of populations in Africa and Thailand.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This pilot project was carried out for the purpose of testing methods for active biological monitoring. It covered a period of three years (until September 1994), including two years of exposure. The measurements served to determine pollutant levels in plants used as animal fodder and dust-borne heavy metal concentrations in different sites and, on this basis, to obtain indirect information on human exposure. Among others, the pilot project investigated the suitability of Italian rye-grass as a biological indicator for aluminium, arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, mercury, magnesium, manganese, nickel, lead, platinum, antimony, titanium, and zinc. (orig./GL).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Using aggregate data for the counties of England and Wales, a negative association is found between mean radon concentrations in dwellings and lung cancer standardised mortality ratios, when regional smoking variations, diet variations, social class variations and population density are controlled. Cornwall and Devon have the highest mean domestic radon gas concentrations, yet the number of lung cancer deaths there was within the range to be expected from relationships not involving radon observed in the rest of the country. While high values of radon exposure appear to concentrate in particular localities, the variations in lung cancer mortality between districts in Cornwall and Devon are small. These findings do not refute the linear exposure-risk hypothesis, but the evidence suggests that relatively few, if any, radon related deaths were associated with the dwellings where radon gas concentrations exceed the recommended action ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The occurrence of persistent organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in breast milk samples collected from mothers from twelve provinces in mainland China was investigated. Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs) were the most prevalent agent, followed by HCHs and HCB, whereas levels of chlordane compounds, drins and mirex were lower. The relatively lower DDE/DDT ratio in the Fujian rural area suggested more recent exposure to DDT than in other areas. The mean level of DDTs in breast milk from the southern China was higher than those from northern China (p < 0.05). A positive correlation was observed between concentration of DDTs in human milk and consumption of animal-origin food, suggesting that this parameter could play an important part in influencing OCPs burdens in lactating women. The mean...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The LS electromagnetic band (1-4 GHz) is widely used both in domestic and industrial domains. Several studies suggested that the biological systems would exhibit a specific sensitivity to the 2.45 GHz microwaves (water resonance frequency). Potential human health hazards and especially a disruption of the cholinergic system have been reported, due to exposure to microwaves even at low power density. This work presents a multi-parametric study of freely moving rat where neuro-physiology was investigated during 70 hours using neurochemical (micro-dialysis technique), electrophysiological, behavioral (vigilance stages quantification) and thermo-physiological approaches. The rats were exposed 24 hours to a 2.45 GHz pulsed electromagnetic field at low power density. In this exposure conditions, no significant effect have been reported. (authors)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The introduction of positron emission tomography (PET)/magnetic resonance (MR) systems into medical practice in the foreseeable future may not only lead to a gain in clinical diagnosis compared to PET/computed tomography (CT) imaging due to the superior soft-tissue contrast of the MR technology but can also substantially reduce exposure of patients to ionizing radiation. On the other hand, there are also risks and health effects associated with the use of diagnostic MR devices that have to be considered carefully. This review article summarizes biophysical and biological aspects, which are of relevance for the assessment of health effects related to the exposure of patients to both ionizing radiation in PET and magnetic and electromagnetic fields in MR. On this basis, some considerations concerning the justification and optimization of PET/MR examinations are presented - as far as this is possible at this very early stage. Current safety ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Laser applications have proliferated in recent years and, as to be expected, their presence is no longer confined to the laboratory or places where access to their radiation can be easily controlled. One obvious application where this is so is in military operations where various devices such as laser range finders, target designators, and secure communications equipment elevate the risk of exposure, specifically eye exposure, to unacceptable levels. Although the need for eye protection in the laboratory and other controlled areas has been appreciated since the invention of the laser, the use of lasers in circumstances where safety or the risk of temporary loss of vision, which can not always be ensured by administrative procedures, has made adequate eye protection essential. It is the critical nature of many military operations that has driven the search for eye protection against both nuclear and laser radiation. At the ...

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The purpose of this study was to determine whether low doses of carbon monoxide (CO) exacerbate myocardial ischemia during a progressive exercise test. The effect of CO exposure was evaluated using the objective measure of time to development of electrocardiographic changes indicative of ischemia and the subjective measure of time to onset of angina. Sixty-three male subjects (41-75 years) with well-documented coronary artery disease, who had exertional angina pectoris and ischemic ST-segment changes in their electrocardiograms, were studied. Results from three randomized, double-blind test visits (room air, low and high CO) were compared. The effect of CO exposure was determined from the percent difference in the end points obtained on exercise tests performed before and after a 1-hr exposure to room air or CO. A significant dose-response relationship was found for the individual differences in the time to ST end point and ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

An aerial radiological survey was conducted over the Department of Energy's Hanford Site near Richland, Washington, during the period 5 July through 26 August 1988. The survey was expanded, and additional flights were conducted to the east of the site and along the banks of the Columbia River down to McNary Dam near Umatilla. The survey was flown at altitude of 61 meters (200 feet) by a helicopter containing 17 liters (eight 2 in. x 4 in. x 16 in.) of sodium iodide detectors. Gamma ray data were collected over the survey area by flying north-south lines spaced 122 meters (400 feet) apart. The processed data indicated that detected radioisotopes and their associated gamma ray exposure rates were generally consistent with those expected from normal background emitters and man-made fission/activation products resulting from activities at the site. External exposure rates were generally 10 microroentgens per hour (#mu#R/h) with some operating areas ...

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A risk-based sensor placement methodology is proposed to solve the problem of optimal location of sensors or detectors to protect population against the exposure to and effects of known and/or postulated chemical, biological, and/or radiological threats. Risk is calculated as a quantitative value representing population at risk from exposure against standard exposure levels. Historical meteorological data are used to characterize weather conditions as the frequency of wind speed and direction pairs. The meteorological data drive atmospheric transport and dispersion modeling of the threats, the results of which are used to calculate risk values. Sensor locations are determined via an iterative dynamic programming algorithm whereby threats captured or detected by sensors placed in prior stages are removed from consideration in subsequent stages. In addition to the risk-based placement algorithm, the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

On 21 October 1994, three brothers entered a waste repository at Tammiku, Estonia, without authorization and removed a metal container enclosing a caesium-137 source. During the removal the source was dislodged and fell to the ground. One of the men picked up the source, placed it in his pocket and took it to his home in the nearby village of Kiisa. Very soon after entry into the repository he began to feel ill, and few hours later he began to vomit. The man was subsequently admitted to hospital with severe injuries to his leg and hip and died on 2 November 1994. The injury and subsequent death were not attributed to radiation exposure, and the source remained in the man's house with his wife and stepson and the boy's great-grandmother. The boy was hospitalized on 17 November with severe burns on his hands, and these were identified by a doctor as radiation induced. The authorities were alerted, and the Estonian Rescue Board recovered the source from the house. The ...

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The receptor occupancy-biological effect relationship for muscarinic receptors in guinea pig ileal smooth muscle has been studied by comparison of radioligand binding and contractile response. Muscarinic receptors in homogenates of ileal smooth muscle were labeled with (/sub 3/H)-1-Quinuclidinyl benzilate. Treatment with propylbenzilylcholine mustard (PrBCM), to inactivate irreversibly muscarinic receptors, caused a large dose dependent rightward shift of the dose-response curve to three agonistic furtrethonium derivatives with a concomitant decrease in maximal response. Using those data, the fraction of receptors remaining unoccupied (q-values) and true affinity constants (-log K/sub A/-values) were calculated. Exposure to 20 or 60 nM PrBCM for 15 minutes resulted in a 39% and a 61% reduction in specific (/sup 3/H)-1-Quinuclidinyl benzilate binding sites respectively to be compared with a 62% and a 85% decrease expected from calculated ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The suggestion has often been made that an additional radiation exposure imposed on humanity as a result of some important activity such as electricity generation would be acceptable if the exposure was 'small' compared to the natural background. In order to make this concept quantitative and objective, we propose that 'small compared with the natural background' be interpreted as the standard deviation (weighted with the exposed population) of the natural background. We believe that this use of the variation in natural background radiation is less arbitrary and requires fewer unfounded assumptions than some current approaches to standard-setting. The standard deviation is an easily calculated statistic that is small compared with the mean value for natural exposures of populations. It is an objectively determined quantity and its significance is generally understood. Its determination does not omit any of the pertinent ...

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The first Brazilian historical mortality cohort study on miners was conducted. The cohort consisted of 3224 workers in the underground coal mining industry in southern Brazil. This industry has been operating since 1942 without compliance with any regulatory standards, since there were no relevant national regulations. Over almost 60 years, about 5000 workers were exposed to high levels of radiation. However, later radiation exposure was significantly reduced, particularly that due to radon exposure. Recent radon concentration measurements indicated an average annual exposure to radon progeny of 2.1 WLM, ranging from 0.2 to 7.2 WLM. As radon exposure in the past was unknown, it can be suggested that mine workers have not been working safely as regards the health hazard related to radon and radon progeny exposure. The cohort inclusion criteria are as follows: (a) ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Trinitrotoluene (TNT) absorption was assessed in groups of workers at two explosives factories by measuring the urinary concentrations of dinitroaminotoluene (DNAT) metabolites. DNAT was detected in...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1998 p. 79 Poland Bandurski, T. Skokowski, J. Mizan-Gross, K. Romanowicz,

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Since August 1984, the MITRE Corporation has been supporting the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) and the Naval Medical Command (NAVMEDCOM) in their joint efforts to enhance the Navy Occupational Health Information Management System (NOHIMS). The goal of the enhancement effort was to create a comprehensive occupational health and safety system for Navy industrial facilities by expanding upon the original NOHIMS functions and adding modules for hazard deficiency abatement, hazardous-material control, injury claims and compensation, and safety and health training. To meet this goal, MITRE developed an enhanced industrial subsystem, referred to as the Occupational Safety and Health Record Keeping System (OSHRKS), using a prototyping approach and a public-domain data base-management software package, the Veterans Administration's (VA's) FileManager (FileMan).

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

People assess the quality of the air indoors primarily on the basis of its odors and on their perception of associated health risk. The major current contributors to indoor odorants are human occupant...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

Curriculums The Epilepsy Foundation, in partnership with CDC, is conducting a national education and outreach program to educate and train law enforcement officers, police...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Research highlights: #-># The building occupancy affecting the cooling load prediction is studied. #-># PENN model is adopted in this study for predicting the building cooling load. #-># Statistical approach is adopted to result a less prejudice prediction performance. #-># Results show that occupancy data can significantly improve the prediction. -- Abstract: Building cooling load prediction is one of the key factors in the success of energy-saving measures. Many computational models available in the industry today have been developed from either forward or inverse modeling approaches. However, most of these models require extensive computer resources and involve lengthy computation. This paper discusses the use of data-driven intelligent approaches, a probabilistic entropy-based neural (PENN) model to predict the cooling load of a building. Although it is common knowledge that the presence and activity of building ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The radioprotective effects of Liv.52 on tissue-reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were studied in rats. Adult female Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to whole body gamma radiation of 4 Gy and 8 Gy. Prior to radiation exposure, Liv.52 was fed, one ml per rat, daily for 15 days. Three days after radiation exposure, reduced glutathione levels in the liver, spleen, kidney and blood were studied. Liv.52 was beneficial in restoring the spleen weight to body weigh t ratio in the animals of the 4 Gy group. In the spleen and liver, Liv.52 helped to restore reduced glutathione in sub-lethally exposed rats. Blood-reduced glutathione was found to be normal in both groups of experimental rats who received Liv.52. The above results exhibit the radioprotective effects of Liv.52 in relation to tissue-reduced glutathione in experimental rats exposed to sub-lethal doses of radiation. (author). 3 tabs., 25 refs.

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The behaviour of bare aluminium is studied in atmospheric exposure at 11 natural testing stations with salinity levels ranging between 2.1 and 684 mg Cl''- m''-2 d''-1. In atmospheres of low or moderate aggressivity aluminium behaves as a passive material, though the insignificant corrosion that is produced is sufficient to spoil its appearance. In contrast, at salinity levels of 50 mg Cl''- m''-2 ''-1 or above, aluminium is susceptible to pitting corrosion even in the first year of atmospheric exposure, or in the second year at salinities of {<=} 10 mg Cl''- m''-2 d''-1. For comparative purposes, results are included for aluminium protected with an anodic film of 28 {mu}m thickness exposed at the same testing stations. A 28 {mu}m anodic ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Thermal analysis testing revealed slight weight changes, which were a function of gamma irradiation, in a highly reduced Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) simulated waste glass. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was performed on this glass to determine if the weight change corresponded to microstructural variations. TEM analyses showed that no microstructural changes were attributable to gamma irradiation. Exposure of the samples to the electron beam in the TEM did cause changes in the glass microstructures in some cases. These changes were likely due to localized heating of the glass due to interactions with the transmitted electrons.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The 2nd periodical inspection was carried out on the asphalt solidification facility and the incinerator in Unit 2 of the Sendai Nuclear Power Station from November 5 to 28, 1985. Inspection was made in radiation control facility and disposal facility. By external appearance, disassembly, function and performance tests there were observed no abnormalities. The personnel exposure doses during the inspection were below the permissible level. In the inspection, improvement etc. works were not done. (Mori, K.).

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A comparison of the concentration-response effects of inhaled ozone (O/sub 3/) and phosgene (COCl/sub 2/) in different species of laboratory animals was made in order to better understand the influence of the choice of species in inhalation toxicity studies. The effect of 4-h exposures to ozone at concentrations of 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 ppm, and to COCl/sub 2/ and 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, and 1.0 ppm was determined in rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, hamsters, and mice. Lavage fluid protein (LFP) accumulation 18-20 h after exposure was used as the indicator of O3- and COCl/sub 2/-induced pulmonary edema. All species had similar basal levels of LFP (250-350 mg/ml) when a volume of saline that approximated the total lung capacity was used to lavage the collapsed lungs. Ozone effects were most marked in guinea pigs, which showed significant effects at 0.2 ppm and above. Mice, hamsters, and rats showed effects at 1.0 ppm O3 and above, while ...

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A performance assessment of the operating Solid Waste Storage Area 6 (SWSA 6) facility for the disposal of low-level radioactive waste at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory has been prepared to provide the technical basis for demonstrating compliance with the performance objectives of DOE Order 5820.2A, Chapter 111.2 An analysis of the uncertainty incorporated into the assessment was performed which addressed the quantitative uncertainty in the data used by the models, the subjective uncertainty associated with the models used for assessing performance of the disposal facility and site, and the uncertainty in the models used for estimating dose and human exposure. The results of the uncertainty analysis were used to interpret results and to formulate conclusions about the performance assessment. This paper discusses the approach taken in analyzing the uncertainty in the performance assessment and the role of uncertainty in performance ...

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The feather has been widely used as a indicator tissue of metal exposure in birds. The feathers were collected from Tuskegee University poultry farm (TUPF) and Harrison Poultry farm (HPF) chicken and analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy for lead, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, and copper contaminations. The mean levels of lead, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, and copper in TUPF chicken were 3.67, 0.13, 12.23, 0.22, and 7.71 ppm, respectively, and in HPF chicken were 5.32, 0.096, 11.03, 0.15, and 8.06 ppm, respectively. The mean levels of these metals did not show any significant difference between TUPF and HPF chicken.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Summary Exposures to natural and simulated altitudes are combined with a reduction of the available oxygen (hypoxia) and may provoke health problems or even emergencies. Although millions of people are living at high altitudes, are regularly or occasionally performing mountain sport activities, are transported by airplanes, and are increasingly frequently exposed to hypoxia at their workplace, e.g. with fire control systems, there is no consensus about the level of hypoxia which is well tolerated by most of human beings. Thus, the present mini review tries to define such a level. This review indicates that although humans show adaptive responses even to altitudes below 2000 m or corresponding normobaric hypoxia (FiO2: >16%) most of these subjects without severe pre-existing diseases well t...

Science.gov (United States)

In a 4-wk oral toxicity study, 4-wk-old male and female Wistar rats were exposed to a combination of arbitrarily chosen chemicals comprising sodium metabisulphite, Mirex, Loperamide, metaldehyde, di-n-octyltin dichloride, stannous chloride, lysinoalanine and potassium nitrite. The dose levels used were based on the "no-observed-adverse-effect level" (NOAEL) and the "minimum-observed-adverse-effect level" (MOAEL) of the individual compounds obtained in similar studies with Wistar rats previously performed at TNO-CIVO, and comprised 0 (controls), 1/10 and 1/3 of the NOAEL, the NOAEL and the MOAEL. In comparison with the adverse effects of the individual compounds, both more severe and less severe adverse effects were observed at the MOAEL of the combined compounds, indicating interaction of effects at this exposure level. Slightly decreased haemoglobin content and slightly increased ...

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There have been many questions about the costs of providing medical services. These questions have resulted in the development of Resource-Based Relative Values Scale (RBRVS) at the national level. Policymakers view RBRVS as a potential tool to pay physicians. The questions, about the cost of operations of HSE-2 at Los Alamos National Laboratory, revolve around doing routine occupation health physicals for the Laboratory. Generally, these questions are concerned about why the costs appear to be high relative to what private physician suggests the costs should be. There is also an interest in trying to find methods to reduce these costs if possible. Many of the tools developed to help in construction estimating can be applied to estimating medical costs. With the need to perform many thousands of physicals each year the saving of even a few dollars for each exam can quickly add up to a large saving. There are a number of different types of ...

Science.gov (United States)

Government agencies responsible for protecting the public from the adverse effects of toxic chemicals must set priorities for research, regulatory action, protocol testing, and monitoring due to the vast number of toxic chemicals and the limited resources available to these agencies. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) must set priorities for research on hazards encountered in the workplace. Priorities are also utilized by NIOSH in preparing criteria for recommended occupational standards which are forwarded to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. Department of Labor, for possible promulgation. For various reasons, including rapidly changing conditions in the American workplace, NIOSH has instituted a revised priorities program. In the future, NIOSH research and recommended standards activities will focus not only on individual chemicals, but also on industries, ...

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Background: Despite the fact that adverse health effects are not confirmed for exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RFEMF) levels below the limit values, as defined in the guidelines of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, many persons are worried about possible adverse health effects caused by the RF-EMF emitted from mobile phone base stations, or they attribute their unspecific health complaints like headache or sleep disturbances to these fields. Method: In the framework of a cross-sectional study a questionnaire was sent to 4150 persons living in predominantly urban areas. Participants were asked whether base stations affected their health. Health complaints were measured with standardized health questionnaires for sleep disturbances, headache, health complaints and mental and physical health. 3,526 persons responded (85%) to the questionnaire and 1,808 (51%) agreed to dosimetric measurements in ...

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Depletion of stratospheric ozone increases irradiance of terrestrial ultraviolet (UV) radiation at short wavelengths, which may be harmful to the human health. To understand quantitatively the risks caused by increasing UV radiation to the Finnish population, the actual UV exposure of the population has to be assessed. It was shown that the snow reflection increases the UV exposure to the face and eyes particularly in the northern Finland. In 1993 exceptionally low ozone levels persisted up to the end of May, which resulted in a theoretical increase in the annual UV dose ranging from 8 % to 13 % in Finland. The maximal increase in the measured erythemally effective dose rate was 34 % on 23 April, when compared with the theoretical normal value. During this study exposure models have been developed. The models have been combined them with Green`s radiation transfer model to estimate annual facial UV ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A comparison of the concentration-response effects of inhaled ozone (O/sub 3/) in different species of laboratory animals was made in order to better understand the influence of the choice of species in inhalation studies of this gas. The effect of 4-hour exposure to ozone (O/sub 3/) at concentrations of 0.0, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 ppm was determined in rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, hamsters and mice. Lavage fluid protein (LFP) accumulation 18 hr after exposure was used as the indicator of O/sub 3/-induced pulmonary edema. All species had similar basal levels of LFP (250-350 ug/ml) when a volume of saline which approximated the total lung capacity was used for lavage of the collapsed lungs. Exponential dose-response curves were seen in all species except guinea pigs, which showed significant increases in LFP at low O/sub 3/ concentrations (0.2 ppm) and a leveling off of response at the higher O/sub 3/ ...

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The aetiology of childhood leukaemia remains generally unknown, although exposure to moderate and high levels of ionising radiation, such as was experienced during the atomic bombings of Japan or from radiotherapy, is an established cause. Risk models based primarily upon studies of the Japanese A-bomb survivors imply that low-level exposure to ionising radiation, including to ubiquitous natural background radiation, also raises the risk of childhood leukaemia. In a recent paper (Wakeford et al 2009 Leukaemia 23 770-6) we estimated the proportion of childhood leukaemia incidence in Great Britain attributable to natural background radiation to be about 20%. In this paper we employ the two sets of published leukaemia risk models used previously, but use recently published revised estimates of natural background radiation doses received by the red bone marrow of British children to update the previous ...

Science.gov (United States)

PMID:20091980

Science.gov (United States)

Lung Diseases; Cancer

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The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission is currently considering revision of rule 10 CFR Part 20, which covers disposal of solid wastes containing minimal radioactivity. In support of these revised rules, we have evaluated the consequences of disposing of four waste streams at four types of disposal areas located in three different geographic regions. Consequences are expressed in terms of human exposures and associated health effects. Each geographic region has its own climate and geology. Example waste streams, waste disposal methods, and geographic regions chosen for this study are clearly specified. Monetary consequences of minimal activity waste disposal are briefly discussed. The PRESTO methodology was used to evaluate radionuclide transport and health effects. This methodology was developed to assess radiological impacts to a static local population for a 1000-year period following disposal. Pathways and processes of transit from the trench to exposed ...

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This human investigation of lead absorption from the lungs utilized two forms of lead, lead chloride and lead hydroxide; the former was used in picogram amounts and the latter at microgram levels. These two species of lead were selected in an attempt to simulate the range of physicochemical properties found in atmospheric lead (urban air). Aerosols labeled with lead-203 were made of comparable aerodynamic size by using sodium chloride as the deposition-determining aerosol. After brief, mouthpiece exposures, 17 subjects were followed by serial counting with a thoracic array of scintillation detectors and two leg counters. Serial blood samples were also taken. The two exposure groups showed similar total deposition values (23 vs 26%) and the same biological retention halftimes, viz., 22.6 hr. When the retention data were corrected for blood-borne /sup 203/Pb, the biological halftimes for lung lead retention averaged 13.1 and ...

Science.gov (United States)

Potential exposure of workers to phosphide was examined during an in-depth industrial hygiene survey at the Bunge Corporation, in Kansas City, Kansas, where the gas was used as a grain fumigant. During the study, 14 men were employed at the facility. Tablets of aluminum phosphide were added to the grain mass for fumigation. General dilution ventilation resulted from outside air entering the work areas through ventilation louvers; there was also a local-exhaust ventilation system. Air samples revealed that, when the fumigant dispensers were being filled, workers in the area had significant exposure. At the time of the survey the relative humidity in the facility was high, permitting the reaction to phosphide to occur more readily. The levels of phosphide and respirable dust were reasonably low in the elevators, suggesting that the ventilation system was adequate. The author recommends that workers filling the dispenser with ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fourteen irradiated Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) fuel pins were subjected to representative overpower transients in six flowing sodium loop experiments conducted in the TREAT reactor. The transient tests were extended to substantial overpower levels well beyond protected levels, with some tests intentionally run to failure to identify failure thresholds and characteristics. Test variables included transient ramp rate (5, 50, and 100 cents/s) and burnup (2 to 58 MWd/kg). Performance limits and failure characteristics were identified, and cladding strain and fuel melting data were obtained for development and verification of transient analysis codes. The test results demonstrated that FFTF Reference fuel pins are capable of surviving overpower levels well beyond the FFTF secondary Plant Protection System (PPS) trip limit of 1.25 times normal rated power. Based on analytical evaluations to interpolate and extrapolate test ...

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The effects of therapeutic levels of radiation on the axial properties of the primate vertebral column were studied. Seven male rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were irradiated with a single does of 1300 cGy to the specific lumbar vertebrae of L2, L3, and L4. Three additional animals served as controls. Radiographs were taken before the radiation treatment and just prior to sacrifice to determine density changes in the bone. The animal subjects were sacrificed 105 days following the radiation exposure. Biomechanical testing was completed on lumbar levels 2 and 3 to identify changes in strength characteristics following radiation treatment. Histomorphometric analysis of lumbar vertebrae level 4 was completed to identify volume and surface density changes as well as cellular changes. Tetracycline, dicarbomethylaminomethyl fluorescein (DCAF), and xylenol orange were used as bone labeling agents to aid in ...

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Radioactive waste has been stored in large underground storage tanks at the Hanford Site since 1944. Approximately 212 million liters of waste containing approximately 240,000 metric tons of processed chemicals and 177 mega-curies of radionuclides are now stored in 177 tanks. These caustic wastes are in the form of liquids, slurries, saltcakes, and sludge. In 1991, the Tank Waste Remediation System (TWRS) Program was established to manage, retrieve, treat, immobilize, and dispose of these wastes in a safe, environmentally sound, and cost-effective manner. The Department of Energy (DOE) has believes that it is feasible to privatize portions of the TWRS Program. Under the privatization strategy embodied in the Request for Proposal (RFP), DOE will purchase services from a contractor-owned, contractor-operated facility under a fixed-price contract. Phase I of the TWRS privatization strategy is a proof-of-concept/commercial demonstration-scale effort. The objectives of Phase I are to ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The concept of forestry-service enterprise used in the joint study (1997-7999) by the TTS-Institute and the Finnish Forest Research Institute (Metla) refers to enterprises and co-operatives (including forest workers operating as entrepreneurs) offering services in the fields of silviculture, basic forest improvement, planning and wood-harvesting sector. Companies practicing large-scale wood-conversion and traditional forestry-machine and road haulage contractors are not included in this approach. It can be estimated that there is a total of 450 such entrepreneurs in the country Those engaged in only a minor degree in providing forestry services are not included in the figure. The nation-wide research material was collected in the form of a mail questionnaire addressed to forestry-service entrepreneurs (n=320) in the spring of 1998. Almost all forestry-service entrepreneurs provide timber felling as a service. More than half of them do planting, cleaning of young stands, tending of ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Rationale Receptor occupancy study has been performed to evaluate pharmacokinetic profiles in new antipsychotic drug development. While these findings highlight the value of positron emission tomography (PET) for dose-finding study, what is unclear is if it is necessary to conduct these studies in patients with schizophrenia or whether studies in healthy volunteers are adequate. Objectives To determine if it is necessary to conduct dopamine receptor occupancy studies in patients with schizophrenia or whether studies in healthy volunteers are adequate for dose-finding study, we compared the concentration?occupancy relationship in terms of EC50 between patients and healthy volunteers. Methods Ten healthy volunteers and eight patients with schizophrenia participated in the study. We measured ...

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The primary responsibility of the Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) Division at the Los Alamos National Laboratory is to provide comprehensive occupational health and safety programs, waste processing, and environment protection. These activities are designed to protect the worker, the public, and the environment. Many disciplines are required to meet the responsibilities, including radiation protection, industrial hygiene, safety, occupational medicine, environmental science, epidemiology, and waste management. New and challenging health and safety problems arise occasionally from the diverse research and development work of the Laboratory. Research programs in HSE Division often stem from these applied needs. These programs continue but are also extended, as needed to study specific problems for the Department of Energy and to help develop better occupational health and safety practices.

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A performance assessment analysis was completed for the 200 East Area Low-Level Burial Grounds (LLBG) to satisfy compliance requirements in DOE Order 5820.2A. In the analysis, scenarios of radionuclide release from the 200 East Area Low-Level waste facility was evaluated. The analysis focused on two primary scenarios leading to exposure. The first was inadvertent intrusion. In this scenario, it was assumed that institutional control of the site and knowledge of the disposal facility has been lost. Waste is subsequently exhumed and dose from exposure is received. The second scenario was groundwater contamination.In this scenario, radionuclides are leached from the waste by infiltrating precipitation and transported through the soil column to the underlying unconfined aquifer. The contaminated water is pumped from a well 100 m downstream and consumed,causing dose. Estimates of potential contamination of ...

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The dose-dependent transfer of [sup 203]Pb to milk and uptake in suckling rats and mice during a three-day nursing period was studied. On day 14 of lactation, the dams were administered a single intravenous dose of lead, labelled with [sup 203]Pb, in four or five doses from 0.0005 to 2.0 mg Pb/kg b.wt. There was a linear relationship between Pb levels in plasma and milk of both species. The Pb milk: plasma ratios at 24 hr after administration were 119 and 89 in mice and rats, respectively. At 72 hr the Pb milk: plasma ratio had decreased to 72 in mice and 35 in rats. The tissue levels of lead in the suckling rats and mice were also linearly correlated with lead concentration in milk at 72 hr, showing that milk could be used as an indicator of lead exposure to the suckling offspring. It is concluded that lead is transported into rat and mouse milk to a very high extent and the excretion into milk is more efficient in mice ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Endocrine disrupting chemicals can induce malformations and impairment of reproductive function in experimental animals and may have similar effects in humans. Recently, the environmental obesogen hypothesis was proposed, suggesting that environmental chemicals contribute to the development of obesity and insulin resistance. These effects could be related to chemical interaction with nuclear receptors such as the peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs). As several testosterone-reducing drugs are PPAR activators, we aimed to examine whether four PPAR agonists were able to affect fetal testosterone production and masculinization of rats. Additionally, we wished to examine whether these chemicals affected fetal plasma levels of insulin and leptin, which play important roles in the developmental programming of the metabolic system. Pregnant Wistar rats were exposed from gestation day (GD) 7-21 to diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP), butylparaben, ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The aim of this study was to estimate the sensitivity of biomarkers of stress and exposure in the bivalve mollusk Anodonta cygnea to spontaneous anthropogenic activities typical for the Western Ukraine. Three sites were examined during spring, summer and autumn: an agricultural site (A); the cooling pond of nuclear power plant (N) and a forestry close to the municipal water inlet (F). Common temporal changes of a battery of biochemical markers in the gills and hemolymph and morphological characteristics were shown by discriminant functional analysis. Classification trees built on the basis of the screened biomarkers demonstrated persistent peculiarities at each site: genotoxicity (nuclear abnormalities) at site A and endocrine disruption (high levels of vitellogenin-like proteins (Vtg-LP) ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Several nuclear power plants are operating in Wolsung area, a south-east coastland of Korea. In addition, a medium-level radioactive waste repository is under construction there. If radionuclides are released from these facilities, food crops could be radioactively contaminated, leading to human exposure to internal radiations via food consumption. There are a number of rice fields around the Wolsung nuclear sites. However, almost nothing has yet been reported on the transfer of radionuclides to rice plants from Wolsung soils. In this study, 85Sr and 137Cs transfer factors (TFs) were measured for the rice in three paddy soils collected around the Wolsung nuclear sites

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

During the normal operation of a Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), radioactive releases into the atmosphere will be in small quantities. During major accidental situations, though the probability is extremely small, there may be significant release of radioactivity to the environment through the stack or at ground level. To study the external radiation exposure, if any, to the members of public due to releases during the normal operation of a nuclear power plant (NPP) and also to meet the requirement of emergency preparedness for the NPP site, continuous recording and analysis of environmental dose rate data is essential. This paper presents analysis of the gamma dose rates recorded by the Environmental Dose Logging Systems (EDLS) installed around the site during the last six years in the Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ) of Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS). (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The decommissioning of the Sodium Reactor Experiment is essentially complete. Contaminated materials, equipment, and soil were removed, decreasing the residual radioactivity to levels acceptable for future unrestricted use of the site. The fuel was removed and declad, tooling and techniques to support the decommissioning were developed, bulk sodium and residual sodium films were removed, coolant systems were dismantled, the reactor vessel was dissected, the interior surfaces of the facilities were decontaminated, and waste materials were packaged and shipped to burial sites. Radiation exposure to workers and the public was within the guidelines and as low as reasonably achievable. In performing the project, new decontamination techniques were tested, decontamination equipment was evaluated, and waste disposal methods were developed.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Precocious puberty is a significant child health problem, especially in girls, because 95% of cases are idiopathic. Our earlier studies demonstrated that low-dose levels of manganese (Mn) caused precocious puberty via stimulating the secretion of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH). Because glial-neuronal communications are important for the activation of LHRH secretion at puberty, we investigated the effects of prepubertal Mn exposure on specific glial-derived puberty-related genes known to affect neuronal LHRH release. Animals were supplemented with MnCl2 (10 mg/kg) or saline by gastric gavage from day 12 until day 22 or day 29, then decapitated, and brains removed. The site of LHRH release is the medial basal hypothalamus (MBH), and tissues from this area were analyzed by real-...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lupinus albus L. plants were grown from seeds and irradiated at various stages of development with acute or chronic gamma rays. All plants were greenhouse grown (pre- and post-irradiation) and allowed to proceed through their normal growth cycle. The purpose of these experiments was to establish a Plactochron Index for Lupinus albus L. and to determine the effects of acute and chronic irradiation on development at the macro and microscopic levels. A Plastochron Index was calculated and used as an indirect time scale to evaluate the effects of gamma rays from a common base line. Acute radiation treatment lasted for a period of a few days, whereas chronic treatment was initiated at the seedling stage and lasted for the entire growth season. Vegetative plants were used to study the effects of acute radiation exposure on apical meristem morphology, Plastochron Index, phyllatoxis and gross morphology.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The atmospheric processing by ozone of peptide-containing mixed particles was investigated as proxies for biogenic and sea spray primary organic aerosol. Reactions were performed in a flow reactor and particle composition was monitored by photoelectron resonance capture ionization aerosol mass spectrometry. Mixed particles containing dipeptides in a saturated organic matrix of stearic and palmitic acids showed no reaction under ozonolysis at exposure levels of 2.5???10?4?atm s O3. However reactions of mixed particles of a dipeptide (Leu-Leu) in an unsaturated matrix (oleic acid) under the same conditions resulted in a rapid loss of the peptide ion signal, as well as the carrier matrix, and appearance of a number of ion signals corresponding to secondary products. High molecular weight imid...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The types of investigations undertaken to test for possible biological effects of extremely low frequency electric fields have been numerous. However, neither animal and plant experimentation nor clinical studies nor experience with operating extremely high voltage transmission lines have to date provided convincing evidence of a harmful effect from exposure to electric fields associated with transmission lines in spite of numerous attempts to find such effects. Analysis of internal fields and currents supports these observations as the levels appear to be too low to affect mammalian cells. Thus, while one can never prove the negative (i.e. that there is no effect), the overwhelming body of evidence indicates that the electric fields associated with high-voltage lines have no deleterious biological effects. (author).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Air flow rates and carbon dioxide concentrations of air entering and exiting eight H-Area waste tanks were monitored for a period of one year. The average instanteous concentration of carbon dioxide in air is within the range reported offsite, and therefore is not affect by operation of the coal-fired power plant adjacent to the tank farm. Waste solutions in each of the tanks were observed to be continuously absorbing carbon dioxide. The rate of absorption of carbon dioxide decreased linearly with the pH of the solution. Personnel exposure associated with the routine sampling and analysis of radioactive wastes stored at SRP to determine the levels of corrosion inhibitors in solution could be reduced by monitoring the absorption of carbon dioxide and using the relationship between pH and carbon dioxide absorption to determine the free hydroxide concentration in solution.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The widespread use of building materials with relatively high radium concentrations may increase population exposure. A method is presented for measuring effective diffusion coefficients and exhalation rates of radon from such materials. Equations for use in the experimental determination of these values are obtained theoretically. The experimental set-up consists of a container which is hermetically sealed to a slab of the building material. Nitrogen is blown through the container and then through an ionization chamber which is connected to an electrometer and X-Y plotter, and the radon concentration is measured continuously. Exhalation rates of radon from some major building materials measured by this method will be used as reference levels. The method can also be used to determine other properties such as porosity. (author).

Wastenet

...qualified and who were under consideration at the time, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack chose an animal husbandry specialist employed by one of the largest organic livestock product marketers in the country. While this appointee had grown up on a conventional farm, her immediate occupation is not that of ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

OBJECTIVE--The survey aimed at studying the associations between prevalent respiratory symptoms in an occupational population and sickness absence due to respiratory disorders. METHODS--A cross sectional...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the current fitness of an area ambulance service based in Belfast and to quantify the physiological demands of accident and emergency work. From a total...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) has been measured hourly from waking to sleeping in 29 workers with respiratory symptoms exposed to the fumes of soft soldering fluxes containing colophony (pine resin)....Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

In Germany, the Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area (MAK Commission) generally sets maximum workplace concentration values (i.e., a proposed occupational...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

OBJECTIVEThis study describes the development and preliminary psychometric properties of an assessment to quantify the magnitude of an environmental barrier's influence on occupational performance.METHODThe assessment was developed then piloted on a group of 77 older adults before and after an occupational therapy intervention focused on environmental barrier removal. Refinements were made to the assessment before it was evaluated for interrater reliability in a sample of 10 older adults using two raters.RESULTSThe In-Home Occupational Performance Evaluation (I-HOPE) is a performance based measure that evaluates 44 activities in the home. The four subscales of activity participation, client's rating of performance, client's satisfaction with performance, and severity of environmental barriers are sensitive to change in the environment. The internal consistency of the subscales ranged from .77-.85 and ICCs ranged from .99 to ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundGender differences in the prevalence and occupational consequences of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are consistently found in epidemiological studies. The study investigated...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

From 1946 - 1990, i.e. from shortly after the end of World War II and the rise of the cold war until the German reunification, there had been extensive uranium mining both in Saxony and Thuringia, which formed the southern parts of the former German Democratic Republic. Mining activities started in Saxony in the Ore Mountains (German: Erzgebirge). Mining was conducted by a Soviet, since 1954 by a Soviet- German Incorporated Company named Wismut. It is estimated that about 400,000 persons may have worked in this time period with the company, most of them underground or in uranium ore processing facilities. In the early years, exposure to radiation and dust was particularly high for underground workers. After introduction of several ventilation measures and wet drilling from 1955 onwards, the levels of exposures to the various agents steadily decreased. After German reunification, it was decided by the German Federal Ministry ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In order to gain an overall picture of the genetic effects of an increased level of background radiation it is necessary to study the results of protracted exposures to embryonic and immature germ-cell stages as well as to stages found in the mature organism. For this purpose, litters produced by female mice, kept in a 10 or 20 rad/day /sup 60/Co ..gamma..-irradiation field, were kept in the same fields from conception until about 60 days later, having absorbed doses of 526 and 1078 rad respectively. Tests on exposed female offspring showed them to be sterile. Eight weeks after removal from the gamma field, mean testis masses of males in the 20 rad/day series were only half normal but those receiving 10 rad/day were little affected. Frequencies of translocations in spermatocytes at diakinesis/metaphase I were only slightly increased in the exposed series, differences not being significant. Estimated rates of translocation induction were around ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In the latter half of 2005, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) published a Proposed Rule (40 CFR Part 197) for establishing a dose rate standard for limiting radionuclide releases from the proposed Yucca Mountain high-level radioactive waste repository during the time period from 10{sup 4} to 10{sup 6} years after closure. The proposed standard was based on the difference in the estimated total dose rate from natural background in the Amargosa Valley and the ''average annual background radiation'' for the State of Colorado. As defined by the USEPA, ''natural background radiation consists of external exposures from cosmic and terrestrial sources, and internal exposures from indoor exposures to naturally-occurring radon''. On the basis of its assessments, the USEPA estimated that the difference in the dose rate in the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The Tissue Equivalent Proportional Counter (TEPC) was developed to monitor low level neutron exposure rates at working stations in a nuclear fuel fabrication facility. It has proven capable of accurately measuring neutron dose rates at levels from 0.1 to 0.2 mrem/hr. It also calculates the Quality Factor which is of importance in locations where the neutron to gamma ratio may vary significantly and irregularily. The system described is computerized to monitor 100 work locations simulationeously and can be expanded to monitor 384 locations. Neutron dose is accumulated on a real time basis and after the proton drop point is established, dose rate can be read out at any time for the dose accumulated over a specified period of time. The current development program which provides reduced system maintenance, lower detection limits, and improved accuracy is discussed along with examples of measurement data and work experience with ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In an attempt to obtain basic data for evaluation of exposure doses in Niigata Prefecture, the concentrations of tritium in atmospheric water, precipitation, river water, and tap water were measured. Samples of atmospheric water, river water, and tap water were collected once for 2 weeks; and precipitation collected for one week was used as sample. The concentration of atmospheric tritium depended on the concentration of tritium in moisture and the content of water in atmosphere. Tritium levels were high in May, November and March, and low in September. Regarding tritium concentrations, there was a good correlation between atmospheric water and precipitation. Tritium concentrations in both of them varied from sample to sample. The concentrations of tritium in river and tap water tended to be high during spring and low during summer and winter, although the variations were not so great as those in atmospheric water or precipitation. The average ...

Science.gov (United States)

For the estimation of the dispersion trend of tritium discharged from the Wolsung nuclear power plant, the present level of tritium in environmental samples in the vicinity of the Wolsong site has been studied. On the basis of tritium concentrations in environmental samples, the effective dose due to tritium has been estimated for an individual and population within a 16 km radius from the Wolsong site. The annual effective dose of tritium to an inhabitant around the Wolsong site ranged from 0.15 microSv y-1 to 1.3 microSv y-1. The dose level was negligible and much lower than some applicable standards, i.e. the limit on exposure from nuclear fuel cycle to the general public as recommended by ICRP (1 mSv y-1) or US EPA's limit (0.25 mSv y-1). The collective dose to the total population within a 16 km radius from the site, 1.2 x 10(-2) man.Sv y-1 was much lower than 1 man.Sv y-1, an applicable criterion for the so-called ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Microwaves can produce sensations of warmth and sound in humans. In other species, they also can serve as cues, they may be avoided, and they can disrupt ongoing behavior. These actions appear to be due to heat produced by energy absorption. The rate of absorption depends on the microwave parameters and the electrical and geometric properties of the subject. We therefore, cannot predict the human response to microwaves based on data from other animals without appropriate scaling considerations. At low levels of exposure, microwaves can produce changes in behavior without large, or even measureable, changes in body temperature. Thermoregulatory behavior may respond to those low levels of heat, and thereby affect other behavior occurring concurrently. There are no data that demonstrate that behavioral effects of microwaves depend on any mechanism other than reactions to heat. Our interpretation of whether a reported ...

Science.gov (United States)

It has been proposed that the gastrointestinal tract environment containing high levels of neuroendocrine hormones is important for gut-derived Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. In this study, we report that the hormone norepinephrine increases P. aeruginosa PA14 growth, virulence factor production, invasion of HCT-8 epithelial cells, and swimming motility in a concentration-dependent manner. Transcriptome analysis of P. aeruginosa exposed to 500 microM, but not 50 microM, norepinephrine for 7 h showed that genes involved in the regulation of the virulence determinants pyocyanin, elastase, and the Pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS, 2-heptyl-3-hydroxy-4-quinolone) were upregulated. The production of rhamnolipids, which are also important in P. aeruginosa infections, was not significantly altered in suspension cultures upon exposure to 500 microM norepinephrine but decreased on semisolid surfaces. Swarming motility, a phenotype that is directly ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

To reduce the radiation dose that accumulated on the reactor coolant pump, decontamination work was carried out at the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant. A four-step alkaline permanganate (AP)-CanDecon process was applied to remove the activity on the turning vane diffuser and pump impeller. The first step consisted of 8 h of AP treatment and 7 h of decontamination. It was followed by 2.5 h of AP treatment and 5 h of decontamination. An average decontamination factor of 2.9 was obtained. To understand the corrosion of the decontaminating reagents on the materials, coupons were installed in the decontamination tank. These were as-received and sensitized 304SS, alloy 600, casting stainless steel (CF-8), stellite-6, and carbon steels (A508 and A533). The exposure rates (mR h"-"1) of the carbon steels were approximately five times higher in magnitude than those of the other materials. The decontamination levels (dpm per 100 cm"2) of the A508 and A533 ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Objective: To investigate the relationship between exposure dose and image quality for a direct digital radiography system and to determine the optimum exposure parameters for pelvic examination. Methods: A contrast-detail phantom CDRAD2.0 was exposed to different doses and the IQF of phantom images were calculated. The optimum exposure parameters were determined by ANOVA and SNK analysis. The image of an anthropomorphic phantom taken with optimized exposure parameters was verified using CEC image criteria. Results: The IQF of the images of CDRAD2.0 phantom was significantly different for different doses, as the exposure dose was greater than 0.61 mGy. The IQFs have no difference for different dose groups. The image quality between this optimized exposure dose and conventional exposure dose not was significantly different. Conclusion: The ...

Science.gov (United States)

... practically non-toxic to birds. Exposure to birds can occur at ponds, aquaria, and waste water ponds. The typical exposure case ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Reports in humans and rodents indicate that immune development may be altered following perinatal exposure to immunotoxic compounds, including chemotherapeutics, corticosteroids, polycyclic hydrocarbons,...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Strategies are needed for assessing the risks of exposures to airborne toxicants that vary over concentrations and durations. The goal of this project was to describe the relationship between the concentration...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

California utilities have been exploring the use of critical peak prices (CPP) to help reduce needle peaks in customer end-use loads. CPP is a form of price-responsive demand response (DR). Recent experience has shown that customers have limited knowledge of how to operate their facilities in order to reduce their electricity costs under CPP (Quantum 2004). While the lack of knowledge about how to develop and implement DR control strategies is a barrier to participation in DR programs like CPP, another barrier is the lack of automation of DR systems. During 2003 and 2004, the PIER Demand Response Research Center (DRRC) conducted a series of tests of fully automated electric demand response (Auto-DR) at 18 facilities. Overall, the average of the site-specific average coincident demand reductions was 8% from a variety of building types and facilities. Many electricity customers have suggested that automation will help them institutionalize their electric demand savings and improve their ...

Science.gov (United States)

This book is designed to provide occupational therapist and occupational therapists and assistant educators with information on the rights of higher education students with disabilities and the rights of the occupational therapy profession to uphold its standards. Chapter 1, "Legal Foundations," provides an overview of federal law, implementing regulations, and student and faculty rights and responsibilities. Chapter 2, "Investigating Existing Institutional Resources and Establishing Linkages," discusses required campus access services, campus support structures, compliance officers, and student advocacy groups. The following chapter, "Technical Standards and Essential Requirements," addresses qualified students, technical standards determination, and essential program requirements. Chapter 4, "Auxiliary Aids, Academic Adjustments, and Reasonable Accommodations," discusses test-taking accommodations, waiving course ...

KoreaScience (Korea)

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International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

... populations radiation doses RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS. SOMATICALLY