Health Physics Society

Regarding "radiation-exposed medical care and waste" in articles related to the TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident published in "Japanese Journal of Health Physics" magazine, (1) 3 original articles, (2) 1 technical data, (3) 1 special article, (4) 1 50th anniversary article, (5) 1 preface, (6) 3 topics, (7) From Japan to the World (JtoW) were two cases. These articles include the contents related to the system and standards that were established after the accident. Rare experiences such as the fumbling response at the time and the evaluation of samples in the disaster situation are summarized. These materials are valuable records.

We intend to examine whether behavioral and mental health-related determinants including stress level, daytime sleepiness, sleep disorders, smoking, drinking, physical activity, and vegetable intake were associated with severity of jet lag and symptoms of jet lag. We delivered a survey to All Nippon Airways HOLDINGS (ANA) customers in Japan and U.S. asking for their lifestyle information, subjective jet lag perceptions, and symptoms of jet lag, and obtained a sample of 1759 Japanese and 483 U.S. participants. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed a positive association between severity of jet lag perception and sleep disorders (Model 2: [b = 0.43, 95% CI 0.25; 0.61]), but a negative association between severe jet lag perception and both smoking (Model 2: [b = − 0.15, 95% CI − 0.30; − 0.00]) and physical activity (Model 2: [b = − 0.15, 95% CI − 0.28; − 0.02]). Regarding jet lag symptoms, it revealed a positive association between higher jet lag symptoms and perceived stress (Model 2: [b = 0.32, 95% CI 0.16; 0.47]), sleep disorder (Model 2: [b = 0.32, 95% CI 0.19; 0.44]), and vegetable consumption (Model 2: [b = 0.09, 95% CI 0.00; 0.17]). The results varied for other lifestyle factors, including smoking, physical activity, vegetable intake, and alcohol consumption. Given the health risks among business travelers, this preliminary analysis showed the possible importance of developing evidence-based jet lag prevention strategies.

An unventilated 70 m underground space, with 2.1 m high ceilings and an inner set of concrete walls to damp vibrations, was discovered to have relatively stable radon levels of ~1,080 Bq m over a 1-y period. The addition of radium sources was not required to achieve high and somewhat variable radon levels, as these arise naturally in the space. Several active radon monitoring devices designed for homeowners, radon screeners, radon mitigation professionals, and researchers were tested in the space. These devices were variable in both cost and intended user sophistication. Data were collected at specific time intervals that varied for each device. A cellphone was deployed with an available camera application to periodically capture photographs of the displays of devices not enabled for automatic temporal recording. Attempts were made to alter the radon concentration using fans, radium-laden objects, and radon impermeable sheets. Statistical methods were employed to compare the device's performance under the minor radon transients produced by the addition of Ra sources during the test period. The evaluation of the overall accuracy, noise, and response to transients revealed highly affordable devices that may be useful for future research applications. While unsuitable for precise calibrations at stable radon levels, the space was determined to be adequate as a radon chamber for general research purposes.

The present work describes ultrafast thermalized and hot hole transfer processes from photo-excited CdSe quantum dots (QDs) and CdSe/ZnS core-shell QDs (CSQDs) to newly synthesized thiols. Three thiols namely 2-mercapto-N-phenylacetamide (AAT), 3-mercapto-N-phenylpropanamide (APT) and 3-mercapto-N-(4-methoxyphenyl) propanamide (ADPT) were synthesized and their interaction with both CdSe QDs and CdSe/ZnS CSQDs was monitored. Steady state absorption study suggests the exciton delocalization from CdSe QDs in the presence of the thiols. However similar features were not observed in the presence of a ZnS shell over a CdSe core, instead a broadening in the excitonic peak was observed with both APT and ADPT but not with AAT. This exciton delocalization and broadening in the excitonic peak was also confirmed by ultrafast transient absorption studies. Steady state and time resolved emission studies show hole transfer from photo-excited QDs and CSQDs to the thiols. A signature of hot hole extraction was observed in transient absorption studies which was confirmed by fluorescence upconversion studies. Both hot and thermalized hole transfer rates from CdSe QDs and CdSe/ZnS CSQDs to the thiols were determined using the fluorescence up-conversion technique. Experiments with different ZnS shell thicknesses have been carried out which suggest that hole transfer is possible till 2.5 monolayer of the ZnS shell. To the best of our knowledge we are reporting for the first time the extraction of hot holes from CdSe/ZnS type I CSQDs by a molecular adsorbate.

Excited state dynamics of S2 and S1 states for a series of TPM dyes, pyrogallol red (PGR), bromopyrogallol red (Br-PGR) and aurin tricarboxylic acid (ATC), have been monitored by using ultrafast transient absorption and fluorescence up-conversion techniques. Optical absorption studies indicate that all the TPM dyes exist as keto-enol tautomers depending upon the pH of the solution. Interestingly, all the TPM dyes give S2 emission (major emitting state) in addition to weak S1 emission. S2 emission lifetimes as fast as ∼150-300 fs and S1 emission lifetimes of 2-5 ns were observed depending upon the molecular structure of the dyes. Femtosecond transient absorption studies suggest the presence of an ultrafast non-radiative decay channel from the S2 state in addition to S2 luminescence. The vibrational relaxation time from hot S1 state is found to be 2-6 ps. The heavy atom effect has been observed in ultrafast relaxation dynamics of Br-PGR.

1784 Noble Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30306 (The opinions expressed in this section are those of the authors and do not represent the official opinion or position of the Journal, the Health Physics Society, or the authors' institutions.)

National Cancer Institute, 6120 Executive Boulevard, Room EPS-7094, Bethesda, MD 20892, [email protected] (The opinions expressed in this section are those of the authors and do not represent the official opinion or position of the Journal, the Health Physics Society, or the authors' institutions.)

This report discusses the effect of mass loading of a membrane filter on the self absorption of radioactive particles. A relationship between mass loading and percent loss of activity is presented. Sample filters were collected from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) facilities in order to analyze the current self absorption correction factor of 0.85 that is being used for both alpha and beta particles. Over an eighteen month period from February 2009 to July 2010, 116 samples were collected and analyzed from eight different building stacks in an effort coordinated by the Effluent Management group. Eleven unused filters were also randomly chosen to be analyzed in order to determine background radiation. All of these samples were collected and analyzed in order to evaluate the current correction factor being used.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory performed a demonstration to determine the acceptable location in which to place an air sampling probe for emissions monitoring for radionuclides in the exhaust air discharge from the new 3430 Building Filtered Pathway Stack . The method was to adopt the results of a previously performed test series for a system of similar configuration, followed by a partial test on the actual system to verify the applicability of previously performed tests. The qualification criteria included 1) a uniform air velocity, 2) an average flow angle that does not deviate from the axis of the duct by more than 20°, 3) a uniform concentration of tracer gases, and 4) a uniform concentration of tracer particles. Section 1 provides background information for the demonstration, and Section 2 describes the test strategy, including the criteria for the applicability of model results and the test matrix. Section 3 describes the flow angle test and the velocity uniformity test, Section 4 provides the test results, and Section 5 provides the conclusions. Appendix A includes the test data sheets, and Appendix B gives applicable qualification results from the previously tested model stack. The data from the previously tested and similarly designed stack was demonstrated to be applicable to the current design for the 3430 Building Filtered Pathway stack. Therefore, this new system also meets the qualification criteria given in the ANSI/HPS N13.1 standard. Changes to the system configuration or operations outside of the bounds of this report (e.g., exhaust velocity increases, relocation of sample probe) will require retesting/reevaluation to determine compliance to the requirements.

1784 Noble Drive NE; Atlanta, GA 30306 (The opinions expressed in this section are those of the authors and do not represent the official opinion or position of the Journal, the Health Physics Society, or the authors' institutions.)