Control and assessment of the risk of population exposure to radon in Republic of Moldova
Închide
Articolul precedent
Articolul urmator
474 17
Ultima descărcare din IBN:
2024-03-20 15:24
Căutarea după subiecte
similare conform CZU
[504.064.3:546.296+614.876](478) (1)
Știința mediului înconjurător (910)
Chimie anorganică (444)
Accidente. Riscuri. Hazarduri. Prevenirea accidentelor. Protecţie personală. Siguranţă (125)
SM ISO690:2012
COREŢCHI, Liuba. Control and assessment of the risk of population exposure to radon in Republic of Moldova. In: Environmental Challenges in the Black Sea Basin: Impact on Human Health, 23-26 septembrie 2020, Galaţi. Cluj-Napoca, România: Universitatea „Dunarea de Jos”, Galați, 2020, pp. 7-9. ISBN 978-606-17-1691-3.
EXPORT metadate:
Google Scholar
Crossref
CERIF

DataCite
Dublin Core
Environmental Challenges in the Black Sea Basin: Impact on Human Health 2020
Conferința "Environmental Challenges in the Black Sea Basin: Impact on Human Health"
Galaţi, Romania, 23-26 septembrie 2020

Control and assessment of the risk of population exposure to radon in Republic of Moldova

CZU: [504.064.3:546.296+614.876](478)

Pag. 7-9

Coreţchi Liuba
 
National Agency for Public Health
 
Proiecte:
 
Disponibil în IBN: 5 decembrie 2020


Rezumat

Population exposure to natural radioactive sources is primarily due to radon (222Rn), accounting for over 50% of total exposure (1). Radon is a radioactive gas that is continuously produced by 226Ra, a descendant of uranium. Radon is the element with order number 86 in the periodic table, being part of group VIII, so it is an inert gas, which once formed by the disintegration of heavy elements in the earth's crust diffuses into the gases in the soil or water and then is emitted in the atmosphere. Radon migrates to the surface through the spaces of soil pores, cracks, etc. Radon can enter homes due to the pressure difference in the building and its foundation in the ground. Gas migrates through cracks in walls, drains, communications pipelines, construction materials and drinking water (2). The contribution of radon and strand in the internal and external exposure of the population consists in the fact that they produce a whole series of other radioactive isotopes on the one hand, and on the other hand as inert gases they can reach any part of the body, being more especially involved in affecting the respiratory system (2). Radon is considered a toxic substance in the environment and poses health risks, which has led to increased awareness of the population, conducting extensive research on the assessment of radon levels in homes (3, 4). Indoor radon increases the risk of developing bronchopulmonary cancer, ranking second after active smoking, which is the highest risk of lung cancer. More than 85% of deaths from bronchopulmonary cancer are among smokers (2, 5, 6). Tobacco control policy is the most promising direction in achieving public health goals in terms of radon exposure control (8). Recent epidemiological and ecological studies demonstrate the impact of radon on the development of bronchopulmonary cancer. The risk increases depending on the duration of exposure and the concentration of radon inside. Total radon exposure consists of exposure in homes, schools, workplaces and leisure facilities (3, 7). The study by statistical models, applied to the most recently published data in the field of estimating the incidence and mortality for 25 major cancers, conducted in 40 countries of the European Union. 2018 showed impressive results. Thus, an estimated 3.91 million new cases of cancer (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) and 1.93 million deaths from cancer in Europe were detected. The most common were: breast cancer (523,000 cases), followed by colorectal cancer (500,000), lung cancer (470,000) and prostate cancer (450,000). These four cancers account for half of the total cancer burden in Europe. The most common causes of death from cancer were lung cancer (388,000 deaths), colorectal cancer (243,000), breast cancer (138,000) and pancreatic cancer (128,000). The estimated number of new cases of oncological diseases was about 1.6 million in men and 1.4 million in women, with 790,000 deaths for men and 620,000 for women (9). It is of interest to organize the system for communicating the risk of radon exposure (10, 11, 12). In order to implement the EC Directive No. 2013/59/ (13) and hygienically estimate the level of exposure of the population of the Republic of Moldova to natural sources of ionizing radiation and the development of prophylactic measures in 2010-2015 by ANSP specialists were performed about 2982 measurements of 222Rn concentrations by active methods: ● 1779 measurements of the concentration of 222Rn in the indoor air (residential houses, kindergartens, schools, Public Medical Institutions (occupational exposure), new residential blocks put into operation, etc.) by active methods of radon measurement; ● 891 measurements of the 222Rn concentration in various drinking water sources, including in the waters from wells and mine wells; ● 312 measurements of the concentration of 222Rn when exhaling it from the ground. To perform measurements of radon concentrations and its short-lived descendants: 220Rn, 218Po, 214Pb, 214Bi and 214Po in the main components of the environment, as well as in the air inside homes, the German device was used, the company SARAD - Radonometer RTM 1688-2. In the period 2018-2019 it was developed and implemented long-term radon measurement methodology. The methodology in question was used in measuring 222Rn in the indoor air of different types of housing (n=2500) in rural and urban areas of the main Areas of the Republic of Moldova. RADTRACK2 detectors, provided by the IAEA within the Technical Cooperation Project MOL9007 “Development of the National Program (Strategy and Action Plan) for the control of the exposure of the population of the Republic of Moldova to radon”, were placed in guest rooms’ or bedrooms for a period of about 90 of days. In order to carry out investigations/surveys of indoor radon concentrations by long-term methods, the following requirements/methodologies have been developed: √ Requirements for placing detectors in the home; √ Questionnaires to identify the conditions/type of housing; √ Agreement between radon investigators and the homeowner; √ Questionnaire for assessing the knowledge of the population regarding radon. In accordance with the “Fundamental Norms of Radiation Protection, Hygienic Requirements and Rules” (NFRP-2000) and the “Regulation and hygienic norms regarding the regulation of radiation exposure of the population from natural sources” the national reference level of 222Rn was set at a concentration of 100 Bq/m3 for new buildings and 150 Bq/m3 for existing buildings (14). In case of detecting increased concentrations (over 200 Bq/m3), radiation protection measures must be taken to reduce the penetration of 222Rn into the air of residential spaces and to improve the ventilation of rooms. The relocation of tenants (with their consent) and the reshaping of rooms, buildings can take place in cases when it is impossible to reduce the equivalent annual average equilibrium activity per unit volume of 222Rn to values less than 300 Bq/m3 (15). It should be noted that these values were stipulated as national reference standards in theory, not based on measurements in the air in homes. Recently, in the period 2018-2019, as a result of the implementation of the national project MOL9007, financed by the IAEA, the results being presented in the paper in question, it was observed that in 1277 homes (51%) the radon concentration was higher than national/EC norms. Based on these results, it is proposed to modify the national reference values - 300 Bq/m3, which are to be implemented as a result of the approval of the Government Decision’s draft in this regard.

Conclusions:
1. Monitoring of radon concentrations in the air in different types of dwellings (n=2500), placed in rural and urban localities of different areas of the Republic of Moldova, by using long-lasting alpha detectors of RADTRAK2 type with an exposure period of 90 days, established the variability of the indicator depending on the geographical area, abiotic conditions, type of house, type of floor and walls.
2. The study showed an increase in radon concentrations in the air in homes in the southern part of the country, the average value per area being 330 Bq/m3, followed by the Center area - 250 Bq/m3and North - 240 Bq/m3.
3. The study of the variability of radon concentration in the air of dwellings placed in different geographical districts of the Republic of Moldova showed increased values in Causeni district and decreased in Chisinau municipality.
4. Research shows that the average value of radon concentration in homes was higher in rural areas, amounting to 260 Bq/m3, compared to urban ones - 241 Bq/m3.
5. Mapping radon concentrations in residential air across the country will be useful to line ministries, including construction specialists, in selecting land for the construction of buildings at reduced risk of radon exposure.
References
1. UNSCEAR Volume I, Sources and effects of ionizing radiation. United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effect of Atomic Radiation, 2008, United Nations, New York, 2010.
2. Fran Medaglia. Exposure to radon increases your risk for lung cancer. Mass Public Health Blog. Promoting public health & wellness in Massachusetts, 2017 https://blog.mass.gov/publichealth/environmental-health/exposure-to-Radon-increases-your-risk-for-lung-cancer/.
3. Scott B.R. Residential Radon Appears to Prevent Lung Cancer. In: Dose Response, 2011, 9(4), p. 444–464.
4. Vuchkov D., Ivanova K., Stojanovska Z., Kunovska B., Badulin V. Radon measurement in schools and kindergartens. National Center of Radiobiology and Radiation Protection. Rom. Journ. Phys., 2012, vol. 58, Supplement, p.S328–S335.
5. Lantz P., Mendez D., Philbert M. Radon, Smoking, and Lung Cancer: The need to refocus radon control policy. In: American Journal of Public Health, 2013, 103(3), p. 443–447.
6. Song G. et all. Indoor Radon levels in selected hot spring hotels in Guangdong, China, Science of Total Environment, 2005, vol. 339, 1-3, p. 63-70.
7. WHO handbook on indoor radon: a public health perspective/edited by Hajo Zeeb, and Ferid Shannoun. WHO 2009, ISBN 978 92 4 154767.
8. Lantz P.M., Mendez D., Philbert M.A. Radon, smoking, and lung cancer: the need to refocus radon control policy. In: Am J Public Health.v2013 Mar;103(3):443-7. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2012.300926. Epub 2013 Jan 17.

9. Ferlay J., Colombet M., Soerjomataram I., Dyba T., Randi G., Bettio M., Gavin A., Visser O., Bray F. Cancer incidence and mortality patterns in Europe: Estimates for 40 countries and 25 major cancers in 2018. In: Eur J Cancer. 2018 Nov;103:356-387. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2018.07.005. Epub 2018 Aug 9.
10. Ragnar Lofstedt. The communication of radon risk in Sweden: where are we and where are we going? Journal of Risk Research, Vol. 22, 2019 - Issue 6: SRA-Europe Nordic Chapter Special Issue, p.773-781.
11. Selim M. Khan, James Gomes. An Interdisciplinary Population Health Approach to the Radon Health Risk Management in Canada. In:Interdisciplinary Journal of health sciences, vol. 3, nr. 19., 2017, p. 1-11.
12. Biblin A. Development of the model of radiation risk-communication with the public for the arrangement of the research. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332131134.
13. Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom, Official Journal of the EU, 2014.
14. Normele Fundamentale de Radioprotecție, Cerințe și Reguli Igienice (NFRP-2000) nr. 06.5.3.34 din 27.02.2001(Monitorul Oficial al Republicii Moldova, nr.40-41, 2001).
15. RMS nr. 217: Regulament şi norme igienice privind reglementarea expunerii la radiaţii a populaţiei de la sursele naturale nr.06-5.3.35 din 05.03.2001 (Monitorul Oficial al Republicii Moldova, nr.92 din 03.08.2001).