A geostatistical approach to define guidelines for radon prone area identification

Background: Blue Zones (BZs), such as Ikaria and Sardinia, are known for exceptional longevity and a high prevalence of centenarians. While genetics, lifestyle, and diet contribute, variations in lifespan within BZs suggest additional environmental factors. This study explores the role of natural background radiation and the dietary intake of radiation-stressed plants, which are enriched in bioactive secondary metabolites. These compounds are hypothesized to support healthy aging and serve as molecular templates for antisenolytic drug development targeting senescent cells and age-related diseases. Methods: We examined regional variations in natural radiation exposure in Ikaria and Sardinia and their correlation with longevity. Particular focus was given to radiation-induced stress in plants, which stimulates the production of secondary metabolites with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and radioprotective properties. Using the AQVN/EIIP electronic descriptor model, we assessed the molecular characteristics of key metabolites for their potential anti-aging effects and protection against radiation-induced damage. Results: Our results reveal a positive association between elevated natural radiation and increased survival rates in specific BZ populations. Radiation-stressed plants exhibited increased synthesis of metabolites with features consistent with known senescence modulators. Additionally, the accumulation of manganese (Mn) in these plants—and its proposed role in activating the anti-aging protein klotho—suggests a nutritional link to extended lifespan. Conclusions: This study highlights how natural radiation and hormetic plant responses may contribute to longevity in BZs. Radiation-stressed plant metabolites may offer both dietary and therapeutic potential for promoting healthy aging and inspire future anti-senolytic strategies.

Background and Aim: Human is always exposed to natural background ionizing radiation which may have harmful effects; therefore, measurement of the natural background radiation is important. In this study, was measured the dose of effective natural background gamma radiation in indoor residential zones of Hamadan Province. Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we selected four stations along the main geographic directions and one in the center of city for measurement of the indoor dose rate in each of the cities in Hamadan Province. Based on the household numbers, some houses were selected randomly in every station and natural background indoor dose was measured by using RDS-110 survey meter. Then, using the results of our previous study about measuring the level of outdoor natural gamma radiation in this province, we determined the level of annual effective exposure dose from natural gamma radiation in Hamadan residents. Results: In Hamadan province cities, maximum and minimum indoor natural background radiation (gamma ray) belonged to Razan City (1.41±0.079 mSv) and Asadabad City (0.955±0.044 mSv), respectively. Mean annual equivalent indoor dose in Hamadan Province was 1.20±0.070 mSv. Also the maximum indoor natural background radiation dose (gamma ray) in the buildings with the age of more and less than 25 years were 1.42±0.219 mSv and 1.44±0.149 mSv, respectively. According to the results of this study and our previous study about outdoor gamma natural background radiation, the annual effective dose in Hamadan Province residents was 0.83 mSv. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, it seems that annual effective equivalent dose due to indoor gamma radiation in Hamadan Province exceeded the mean external exposure amount reported by UNSCEAR (0.5 mSv). Also the annual effective dose due to gamma background radiation in Hamadan Province residents is 0.83 mSv, which is higher than the global average (0.48 mSv) reported by UNSCEAR - 2000. Therefore epidemiological studies to assess the prevalence of chronic diseases associated with natural radiation exposure among Hamadan Province residents are recommended.

Purpose: A population-based case-control study was conducted in Yangjiang and Enping areas in South China to assess whether the risk of lens opacity induced by natural high background radiation exposure is modulated by polymorphisms of ATM and TP53. Materials and methods: A total of 133 cases who were diagnosed with cortical and posterior subcapsular (PSC) opacity were recruited, and 419 healthy controls were selected through counter-matching in terms of radiation status. Genomic DNA from all the participants was genotyped with the Illumina platform for four single nucleotide polymorphisms of ATM (rs189037, rs373759, and rs4585) and TP53 (rs1042522). The cumulative lens dose received during the entire life was estimated based on annual indoor and outdoor radiation doses and gender- and age-specific occupancy factors. Non-conditional logistic regression was performed to calculate odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results: ATM rs189037 and TP53 rs1042522 were significantly related to cortical and PSC opacity. The risk of opacity was higher when individuals carried the A allele of ATM rs189037 and C allele of TP53 rs1042522, compared with GG genotype. ATM rs189037 A allele carriers (AG/AA) and TP53 rs1042522 C allele carriers (CG/CC) combined with a cumulative lens dose of 100 mGy or higher showed statistically significant opacity risks (OR =5.51, 95% CI: 1.47–20.66; OR =2.69, 95% CI: 1.10–6.60). Conclusion: The A allele of ATM rs189037 and C allele of TP53 rs1042522 increase the risk of lens opacity induced by radiation. These polymorphisms in ATM and TP53 might modify the risk of cortical and PSC opacity induced by chronic and prolonged low-dose radiation.

Radon is a natural gas known to be the main contributor to natural background radiation exposure and second to smoking, a major leading cause of lung cancer. The main source of radon is the soil, but the gas can enter buildings in many different ways and reach high indoor concentrations. Monitoring surveys have been promoted in many countries in order to assess the exposure of people to radon. In this paper, two complementary aspects are investigated. Firstly, we mapped indoor radon concentration in a large and inhomogeneous region using a geostatistical approach which borrows strength from the geologic nature of the soil. Secondly, knowing that geologic and anthropogenic factors, such as building characteristics, can foster the gas to flow into a building or protect against this, we evaluated these effects through a multiple regression model which takes into account the spatial correlation of the data. This allows us to rank different building typologies, identified by architectonic and geological characteristics, according to their proneness to radon. Our results suggest the opportunity to differentiate construction requirements in a large and inhomogeneous area, as the one considered in this paper, according to different places and provide a method to identify those dwellings which should be monitored more carefully.

Purpose: Radon is natural radioactive noble gas that can be found in soil, water, outdoor and indoor air. Exposure to radon accounts for more that 50% of the annual effective dose of natural radioactivity. The purpose of the current review is to summarize recent literature and evaluate the weight of evidence on the adverse health effects of radon.Conclusions: Radon is an established human lung carcinogen based on human epidemiological data supported by experimental evidence of mutagenesis studies in cell culture and laboratory animals. Extrapolation from cohort studies on miners suggested that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer death after tobacco smoke. The majority of studies on the relationship between radon and other types of cancers showed weak or no association. Low levels of radon can be found in drinking water; however, radon released during water usage adds small quantities to indoor radon concentration. Studies showed that the risk of stomach cancer and other gastrointestinal malignancies from radon in drinking water is small. Studies of the genetic and cytogenetic effects of indoor radon yielded equivocal results; while radon exposure in miners induces gene mutations and chromosomal aberrations. Numerous in vitro cytogenetic studies demonstrated that radon induces different types of genetic and cytogenetic damage that is likely to play a role in radon lung carcinogenesis.

Investigation on radiation attenuation properties of natural stone samples traded in Turkey

Realistic retrospective dose assessments to members of the public around Spanish nuclear facilities

A sensitive system based on radon amplification at soil-air interface: Aiming to advance earthquake precursor research

Radon is a natural radioactive gas that may cumulate in indoor environments. The impacts of weather events on indoor radon concentration had been explored in different places around the world but only marginally in Switzerland. Using basic statistical analysis, this study investigates different meteorological parameters’ influence on indoor radon concentrations and shows that outdoor air temperature is the most influential beyond others. Finally, this paper highlights the importance of radon dynamic in buildings, a topic often overlooked by construction professionals and the broader public in Switzerland.

Within the framework of a joint research project on natural radiation exposure and its health effects in Cameroon from 2014 to 2017, the Institute of Geological and Mining Research and the Hirosaki University worked together to carry out natural radiation survey in mining and ore bearing regions of Cameroon. Air kerma rates were measured using car-borne survey method. In-situ gamma spectrometry was used to determine activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th and 40K in soil. A total of 450 RADUET detectors and 350 thoron progeny monitors were deployed in dwellings of the study areas for 2-3 months, collected and analysed. Although natural radioactivity level seems to be normal in most of the surveyed areas, there are many points where activity concentrations of natural radionuclides are largely above the world average values. Indoor radon, thoron and thoron progeny results show the importance to put in place the national radon plan in Cameroon. It was also pointed out that thoron cannot be neglected when assessing inhalation dose.

Since 1955, the nuclear industry has become a comprehensive industrial system in China, for which the radiological impact assessment began in 1981. Within 80 km region of each facility, investigation of population distribution, crop distribution, and food consumption has been made. Meteorological, hydrological, and geological data as well as effluent and environmental monitoring data have been obtained and analyzed. All the calculations were performed through the Y3001 computer code. The effective dose equivalents to all the critical groups near the region nuclear facilities are below the dose limits. The dose to about 80% of the critical groups are less than 1/10 of those caused by natural radiation exposure (2.3 mSv y(-1)). The total annual average collective effective dose equivalent resulting from the nuclear industry as a whole is 23 person Sv y(-1) which is less than 0.01% of that from natural radiation and far below the detriment resulting from non-nuclear industries or other human activities. According to the nuclear industry planning in China, by about the year 2000, it is estimated that the total annual collective effective dose equivalent resulting from the nuclear industry would be 59 person Sv.

Natural radiation exposure in the Campo Arañuelo region in the surroundings of Almaraz nuclear power station (Spain)

Radiation exposure has been reported to cause thyroid nodules. The study area was Karunagapally, which has several areas with high natural radiation levels derived from thorium and its decay products. Since thyroid abnormalities are more common in women, the focus was only on women. The examinations included interview, ultrasonography of the thyroid and serum assays of free thyroxine (FT4), thyrotropin (TSH), and anti-thyroglobulin levels. Cumulative dose during the childhood and lifetime cumulative dose (lagged by 5 years) were estimated. We examined 524 female residents aged 17-73 years and found 75 cases of solitary solid thyroid nodules. The prevalence of thyroid nodules were 14.1 % (n = 42) in high dose panchayats and 14.5% (n = 33) in low-dose panchayats. In the logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, the prevalence of solitary thyroid nodule was not linearly related to childhood cumulative dose (P for trend = 0.159) and lifetime cumulative dose (P for trend = 0.333). The prevalence of thyroiditis and hypothyroidism was not related to natural radiation exposure. Serum levels of FT4 or TSH were not related to natural radiation exposure. The results obtained from the present study do not support the increase of solitary thyroid nodule, thyroiditis or hypothyroidism in relation to high-natural-background-radiation exposure.

The inquiries for efficient decarbonization in the Indonesian upstream oil and gas field

The fallout situation in Austria after the Chernobyl accident is described and compared to that in neighboring countries. The plume from the destroyed power plant caused an exposure of the population in the first year of 0.55 mSv on the average, of which about 0.1 mSv were caused by external exposure, 0.03 mSv by inhalation, and 0.42 mSv by ingestion. Despite these low exposure values several measures were adopted in Austria, the effects of which are given in this paper. Only three measures (feeding restrictions for fresh grass, a ban on marketing fresh vegetables, and selection of low-activity milk in dairies) resulted in substantial dose reduction effects of about 30% of the total exposure to be expected. The time course in activity concentration in foodstuffs relevant to countermeasures is described. Also, the differences in exposure of the population by ingestion as estimated from foodstuff and whole body measurements is discussed. The decrease in activity concentration in foodstuffs after the direct contamination phase, which is characterized by an effective half-life of about 2 years in the period up to now, is discussed. This decrease in Cs availability results at present in an exposure of approximately 0.5% of initial values, equivalent to about 5 μSv per annum or approximately 0.15% of the natural background radiation exposure in Austria