Health physics最新文献

{"title":"Has Health Physics Contributed to an 80-y False Narrative about the Trinity Nuclear Test?","authors":"Joseph J Shonka","doi":"10.1097/HP.0000000000001838","DOIUrl":"10.1097/HP.0000000000001838","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>This paper discusses the various analyses of the Trinity Nuclear Test, including how they might apply to the issue of infant mortality. This paper was first drafted as a response to a letter by Rice, who commented on my earlier letter on that issue. My earlier letter commented on the National Cancer Institute's 2020 series of papers in the October Issue of Health Physics on the impact of the Trinity Nuclear Test that was conducted on unoccupied government lands on 16 July 1945. The Journal editors requested that my response to Rice be edited and submitted as a paper to ensure adequate technical review and suggested that the article also add material summarizing the series of exchanges that were published in the Journal. This article suggests that significant differences exist between various summaries of the offsite impact of the Trinity Nuclear Test and offers that Trinity might be the largest nuclear accident in terms of the impact on uninvolved civilians who were downwind following the test. It suggests areas for further study to resolve these significant differences. It also asserts that until the estimated exposures of downwind residents are resolved and an appropriate study is made of infant deaths following the Trinity Nuclear Test, the issue of infant mortality remains an unanswered, 80-y-old question.</p>","PeriodicalId":12976,"journal":{"name":"Health physics","volume":" ","pages":"422-449"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141330826","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Modeling Fallout from Nuclear Weapon Detonations: Efficient Activity and Dose Calculation of Radionuclides and Their Progeny.","authors":"Arjan van Dijk, Michiel de Bode, Astrid Kloosterman, Marte van der Linden, Jasper M Tomas","doi":"10.1097/HP.0000000000001834","DOIUrl":"10.1097/HP.0000000000001834","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>The purpose of this paper is to present a practical method for quick determination of potential radiological doses and contaminations by fallout from nuclear detonations, or other releases, that includes the contributions from all nuclides. We precalculate individual (total) activities of all radionuclides from any initial cocktail and all their ingrowing progeny at a set of pinpoints in time with a logarithmic time-spacing. This is combined with the set of dose conversion factors (DCC) for any exposure pathway to obtain a time-dependent cocktail for the whole release as if it is one substance. An atmospheric dispersion model then provides the thinning coefficient of the released material to give local concentrations and dose rates. Progeny ingrowth is illustrated for pure 238 U and for a nuclear reactor that has been shut down. Efficient dose assessment is demonstrated for fallout from nuclear detonations and compared with the traditional approach of preselecting nuclides for specific endpoints and periods-of-interest. The compound cocktail DCC reduces the assessment of contaminations and potential dose-effects from fallout after a nuclear detonation to (the atmospheric dispersion of) only one tracer substance, representing any cocktail of nuclides and their progeny. This removes the need to follow all separate nuclides or an endpoint-specific preselection of \"most important nuclides.\" As the cocktail DCCs can be precalculated and the atmospheric dispersion of only one tracer substance has to be modelled, our method is fast. The model for calculating cocktail DCCs is freely available, easily coupled to any regular atmospheric dispersion model, and therefore ready for operational use by others.</p>","PeriodicalId":12976,"journal":{"name":"Health physics","volume":" ","pages":"404-421"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141633298","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluating Reception Center Models for Radiation Response Screening Capacity and Throughput Predictions.","authors":"Lauren Finklea, Robert Goff, Erica Houghton","doi":"10.1097/HP.0000000000001802","DOIUrl":"10.1097/HP.0000000000001802","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Introduction: The current fleet of nuclear reactors in the United States is mandated to provide evidence that surrounding jurisdictions can screen their populations should an incident occur. Capacity can be measured as throughput in reception centers used for screening. Due to the significant staffing and resources required to exercise screening capacity, most jurisdictions typically perform smaller exercises and use models to estimate their overall throughput. Objective: To evaluate the applicability and realism of current throughput models and practices. Methods: Throughput capacity for radiation screening is estimated with a mathematical model derived by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention developed a discrete event simulation model as a tool, SimPLER, to evaluate capacity and make throughput predictions. Model estimates will be compared and evaluated using timing data collected at a large-scale exercise. Results: The FEMA model estimated a throughput 41.2% higher than the actual radiation screening throughput, while the SimPLER model provided identical values. The FEMA and SimPLER models' predicted throughputs were 50% and 3.8%, respectively, higher than total exercise throughput. Applying each model to the throughput projections for a 12-hour shift, the FEMA model estimates ranged from 665 to 6,646 people and the SimPLER model yielded an estimated throughput of 1,809 people with a standard deviation of 74.6. Conclusion: Discrete event simulation models, such as SimPLER, may provide more realistic and accurate predictions of radiation screening and throughput capacity of reception centers than mathematical models such as the FEMA model.</p>","PeriodicalId":12976,"journal":{"name":"Health physics","volume":" ","pages":"353-358"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11321534/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140184264","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bremsstrahlung Dose Rate Kernels in Tissue.","authors":"David L Boozer, David M Hamby","doi":"10.1097/HP.0000000000001810","DOIUrl":"10.1097/HP.0000000000001810","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Radionuclides emitting high-energy beta rays are frequently employed for therapeutic purposes in the field of medicine. However, it is widely recognized that such radionuclides have the potential to generate in vivo bremsstrahlung radiation. This research study focused on investigating the dose rate of bremsstrahlung radiation emanating from a radioactive source embedded in a patient. To accomplish this, we estimate the spectral energy distribution of the generated bremsstrahlung. By employing this spectral distribution, we present a novel method for estimating the bremsstrahlung dose rate kernel applicable to a given combination of source and material. This method considers photon buildup and attenuation, as well as the encapsulation of the radiation source. Furthermore, we provide formulas for both monoenergetic electrons and beta-transition electrons that account for radioactive decay.</p>","PeriodicalId":12976,"journal":{"name":"Health physics","volume":" ","pages":"306-316"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141069980","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Validity of the 1984 Interim Guidelines on Airborne Ultrasound and Gaps in the Current Knowledge.","authors":"","doi":"10.1097/HP.0000000000001800","DOIUrl":"10.1097/HP.0000000000001800","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Airborne ultrasound is used for various purposes both in industrial and public settings, as well as being produced as a by-product by a range of sources. The International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA) published interim guidelines on limiting human exposure to airborne ultrasound in 1984, based on the limited scientific evidence that was available at that time. In order to investigate whether research since 1984 requires the development of revised exposure guidelines we considered (a) within the context of ultrasound exposure the relevance to health of the biological endpoints/mechanisms listed in the IRPA guidelines, (b) the validity of the exposure limits, and (c) whether there are biological endpoints/mechanisms not covered in the guidelines. The analysis of the available evidence showed that the biological endpoints that form the basis of the guidelines are relevant to health and the guidelines provide limits of exposure based on the evidence that was available at the time. However, the IRPA limits and their associated dosimetry were based on limited evidence, which may not be considered as scientifically substantiated. Further, there is no substantiated evidence of biological endpoints/mechanisms not covered by the IRPA guidelines. These two observations could mean that IRPA's limits are too low or too high. Research since the IRPA guidelines has made some improvements in the knowledge base, but there are still significant data gaps that need to be resolved before a formal revision of the guidelines can be made by ICNIRP, including research needs related to health outcomes and improved dosimetry. This statement makes a number of recommendations for future research on airborne ultrasound.</p>","PeriodicalId":12976,"journal":{"name":"Health physics","volume":" ","pages":"326-347"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141069996","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Risk Assessment for Workers with Wearable Medical Devices Exposed to Electromagnetic Fields.","authors":"Cecilia Vivarelli, Federica Censi, Giovanni Calcagnini, Rosaria Falsaperla, Eugenio Mattei","doi":"10.1097/HP.0000000000001798","DOIUrl":"10.1097/HP.0000000000001798","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>The exponential diffusion of wearable medical devices (WMD) in recent years has involved people of all ages, including workers. Workers who use WMDs should be considered at a particular risk from electromagnetic fields, and in accordance with EU Directive 2013/35/EU, they require an individual risk assessment. Currently, there is no international standard that provides specific guidance on how to perform such a risk assessment. This paper focuses on the effects of electromagnetic fields on WMDs and does not consider the direct effects on human body tissues. It aims to offer practical recommendations to employers and/or health physicists for the risk assessment of workers with WMDs. Focusing on EU countries, we first describe the requirements outlined by the technical standard for the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of medical electrical equipment EN 60601-1-2. Then, some general guidelines on how to perform the risk assessment are provided. The assessment can be conducted by comparing the field values measured in the workplace with the immunity test levels specified in the technical standards of medical electrical equipment. If the measured values are lower than the immunity test levels indicated in the standard and the distance from the electromagnetic source is greater than the distance used by the manufacturer during the EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) tests (typically 30 cm), the risk for the worker may be considered acceptable. However, if the measured values exceed the immunity test levels or the distance criteria, a specific evaluation based on a case-by-case analysis is required.</p>","PeriodicalId":12976,"journal":{"name":"Health physics","volume":" ","pages":"269-275"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139939943","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"How Hermann J. Muller Viewed the Ernest Sternglass Contributions to Hereditary and Cancer Risk Assessment: Erratum.","authors":"","doi":"10.1097/HP.0000000000001851","DOIUrl":"10.1097/HP.0000000000001851","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12976,"journal":{"name":"Health physics","volume":"127 2","pages":"349"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141467595","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"HEALTH PHYSICS SOCIETY . 2024 AFFILIATE MEMBERS.","authors":"","doi":"10.1097/01.HP.0001025980.46535.34","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/01.HP.0001025980.46535.34","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12976,"journal":{"name":"Health physics","volume":"127 2","pages":"364"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142153880","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Relationship Between Cancer and Radiation: A New Paradigm: Erratum.","authors":"","doi":"10.1097/HP.0000000000001837","DOIUrl":"10.1097/HP.0000000000001837","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12976,"journal":{"name":"Health physics","volume":"127 2","pages":"348"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141467596","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Decommissioning of a Medical Cyclotron Vault: The Case Study of the National Cancer Institute of Milano.","authors":"Andrea Pola, Davide Bortot, Stefano Pasquato, Davide Mazzucconi, Carlo Chiesa, Fabio Zanellati, Anna Brusa","doi":"10.1097/HP.0000000000001801","DOIUrl":"10.1097/HP.0000000000001801","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>In the widespread use of medical cyclotrons for isotope production, radiological and economic consequences related to the decommissioning of particle accelerators are often neglected. However, decommissioning regulation and its related procedures always demand efforts and costs that can unexpectedly impact on budgets. The magnitude of this impact depends strongly on the residual radioactivity of the accelerator and of the vault, and more specifically on the kind and activity concentration of residual radionuclides. This work reports and discusses a case study that analyzes in detail the characterization activities needed for optimized management of the decommissioning of a medical cyclotron vault. In particular, this paper presents the activities carried out for assessing the activity concentrations and for guiding the disposal of the cyclotron vault of the Italian National Cancer Institute of Milano (INT). An unshielded 17 MeV cyclotron vault was characterized by high resolution gamma-ray spectrometry both in-situ and in-laboratory on extracted samples. Monte Carlo simulations were also carried out to assess the overall distribution of activation in the vault. After a few months from the final shutdown of the accelerator, activity concentrations in the concrete walls due to neutron activation exceeded the clearance levels in many regions, especially close to the cyclotron target. Due to the relatively long half-lives of some radionuclides, a time interval of about 20 y after the end of bombardment is necessary for achieving clearance in some critical positions. Far from the target or in positions shielded by the cyclotron, activation levels were below the clearance level. The comparison between Monte Carlo simulations and experimental results shows a good agreement. The in-situ measurements, simpler and economically advantageous, cannot completely replace the destructive measurements, but they may limit the number of required samples and consequently the decommissioning costs. The methodology described and the results obtained demonstrated that it is possible to obtain accurate estimations of activity concentrations with cheap and quick in-situ measurements if the concentration profile in-depth inside the wall is well known. This profile can be obtained either experimentally or numerically through suitably validated Monte Carlo simulations.</p>","PeriodicalId":12976,"journal":{"name":"Health physics","volume":" ","pages":"276-286"},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139939942","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}