Title: Guidelines for Iodine Prophylaxis following Nuclear Accidents Update 1999 Guide.PDF.
Reference: WHO [PDF-96K]Apr 2003
Keywords: IODINE, Radiation injuries, Disaster planning, THYROID GLAND, GUIDELINES
Abstract: Intervention levels for emergency response are for national authorities to decide, but the latest information suggests that stable iodine prophylaxis for children up to the age of 18 years be considered at 10 mGy, that is 1/10th of the generic intervention level expressed in the International basic safety standards for protection against ionizing radiation and for the safety of radiation sources. For adults over 40, the scientific evidence suggests that stable iodine prophylaxis not be recommended unless doses to the thyroid from inhalation are expected to exceed levels that would threaten thyroid function. This is because the risk of radiation induced thyroid carcinoma in this group is very low while, on the other hand, the risk of side effects increases with age. The latest information on the balance of risks and benefits will also need to be properly considered in the plans for any distribution and storage of stable iodine. It suggests that stockpiling is warranted, when feasible, over much wider areas than normally encompassed by emergency planning zones, and that the opportunity for voluntary purchase be part of national plans.
URL: http://www.who.int/ionizing_radiation/pub_meet/Iodine_Prophylaxis_guide.pdf
Title: Scale to assess nuclear incidents needs revision
Author: Higson, Don
Reference: New Scientist, 213 (2856), p.26-27, Mar 2012
doi: 10.1016/S0262-4079(12)60684-8
Keywords:
Abstract: Rating the Fukushima incident on a par with Chernobyl has played into the hands of anti-nuclear propagandists, says Don Higson
…one accident – Chernobyl – had been rated level 7. Chernobyl was the worst that…tell a story: 237 Chernobyl workers were taken…radiation-induced cancer, including workers…About 4000 cases of thyroid cancer, which…
URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0262407912606848
Title: FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR POTASSIUM IODIDE (KI) DISTRIBUTION IN NEW YORK CITY.
Author: MOSS, STEVEN
Reference: Apr., 2005
doi: 10.2172/15016045
Keywords: PLUMES; POTASSIUM IODIDES; PUBLIC HEALTH; THYROID; NEW YORK CITY; ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT; IODINE ISOTOPES; FISSION PRODUCT RELEASE; FEASIBILITY STUDIES
Abstruct: The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), Bureau of Environmental Science and Engineering, Office of Radiological Health (ORH) [as the primary local technical consultant in the event of a radiological or nuclear incident within the boundaries of New York City] requested the assistance of Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) with the development of a Feasibility Study for Potassium Iodide (KI) distribution in the unlikely event of a significant release of radioactive iodine in or near New York City. Brookhaven National Laboratory had previously provided support for New York City with the development of the radiological/nuclear portions of its All Hazards Emergency Response Plans. The work is funded by Medical and Health Research Association (MHRA) of New York City, Inc., under a work grant by the Federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for Public Health Preparedness and Response for Bioterrorism. This report is part of the result of that effort. The conclusions of this report are that: (1) There is no credible radiological scenario that would prompt the need for large segments of the general population of New York City to take KI as a result of a projected plume exposure to radioiodine reaching even the lowest threshold of 5 rem to the thyroid; and (2) KI should be stockpiled in amounts and locations sufficient for use by first responders/emergency responders in response to any localized release of radioiodine.
URL:http://www.osti.gov/bridge/product.biblio.jsp?query_id=2&page=0&osti_id=15016045
Title: Five years after Chernobyl: 1986–1991: A review— Watt Committee on Energy. Savoy Hill House, Savoy Hill, London WC2R OBU, U.K.
Reference: International Journal of Radiation Applications and Instrumentation. Part C. Radiation Physics and Chemistry, 38 (6), p.609-610, Jan 1991
doi: 10.1016/1359-0197(91)90090-O
Keywords:
Abstract: …raise disease levels. Cancer caused by radiation…effects. The dose from Chernobyl then be compared with…more remote towns. Thyroid cancer in the population covered…the main effect of the Chernobyl disaster as being the…
URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/135901979190090O
Title: Nuclear Energy and Human Health
Author: Lyman, E.S.
Reference: Encyclopedia of Environmental Health, Jan 2011
ISBN:9780444522726
Keywords: Acute radiation syndrome; BEIR VII; Cancer; Cesium-137; Chernobyl; Containment; Emergency planning zone; Evacuation; Iodine-131; Light-water reactor; Potassium iodide; Sabotage; Severe accident; Source term; Spent fuel
Abstract: The environmental health impacts of nuclear power remain highly controversial. Although nuclear energy could have a role to play in mitigating the profound global environmental and health impacts of climate change, it also poses risks that could have long-lasting worldwide consequences. A catastrophic radiological release at a nuclear power plant, resulting from either an accident or sabotage, could cause significant numbers of human illnesses and fatalities and extensive radiological contamination over a vast area. Yet great uncertainties remain in the technical understanding of such events, providing room for a wide range of views on the magnitude and severity of these risks. A better quantitative understanding of the risks of nuclear energy, how they are distributed across geographic and socioeconomic strata, and whether they can be reduced to an acceptable level at a reasonable cost should play an essential role in development of a rational low-carbon energy policy. This article reviews information about the potential human health consequences of severe accidents at nuclear power plants and irradiated fuel storage facilities and discusses some of the uncertainties in these analyses.
URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780444522726001859
Title: Chernobyl in retrospect
Author: Young, Robert W.
Reference: Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 39 (1-3), p.27-IN4, Jan 1988
doi: 10.1016/0163-7258(88)90036-8
Keywords:
Abstract: …subsequently concentrated in the thyroid, which uses and stores iodine…high levels of 131I can cause thyroid cancer, benign thyroid tumors, and hypothyroidism…Accident Evacuated Pripyat 49,000 Chernobyl 12,000 30-km radius 74…
URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0163725888900368
Title: The management of cancer in the older adolescent
Author: Albritton, K. / Bleyer, W.A.
Reference: European Journal of Cancer, 39 (18), p.2584-2599, Dec 2003
doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2003.09.013
Keywords: Cancer; Adolescents; Young adults
Abstract: Cancer in adolescents 15–19 years of age occurs at nearly twice the rate observed in 5- to 14-year-olds, but as of yet they have no explicit organisation for research and care, such as that structured for younger paediatric patients. Adolescents with cancer must be recognised as a subgroup of oncology patients with specific characteristics and needs requiring dedicated interest and management. The need is made most evident as outcome data indicates that adolescents are lagging behind in survival gains made in recent decades by both children and adults with cancer. Improvements in the overall survival, quality of care and quality of survival of adolescents with cancer will only occur by surmounting the challenges, discussed in this review, unique to this group of patients.
…health standpoint of cancer control, and by adjustment…Radiation-induced cancer may occur in adolescents…childhood. Rates of thyroid cancer in children and adolescents…Slavic countries since the Chernobyl accident in 1986 [12…
URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959804903008098
Title: From the molecular characterization of iodide transporters to the prevention of radioactive iodide exposure
Author: Dayem, M. / Navarro, V. / Marsault, R. / Darcourt, J. / Lindenthal, S. / Pourcher, T.
Reference: Biochimie, 88 (11), p.1793-1806, Nov 2006
doi: 10.1016/j.biochi.2006.07.015
Keywords: Iodide; Thyroid; Transport; Wolff-Chaikoff effect; Radiotoxicology
Abstract: …being the accident at Chernobyl on April 26, 1986. It…core at the time of the Chernobyl explosion (see the UNSCEAR…effect related to the Chernobyl accident was an unusual…in the occurrence of thyroid cancers in children from…
URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0300908406001593
Title: The relationship of soil organic carbon to 210 Pb ex and 137 Cs during surface soil erosion in a hillslope forested environment
Author: Teramage, Mengistu T. / Onda, Yuichi / Kato, Hiroaki / Wakiyama, Yoshifumi / Mizugaki, Shigeru / Hiramatsu, Shinya
Reference: Geoderma, 192, p.59-67, Jan 2013
doi: 10.1016/j.geoderma.2012.08.030
Keywords: 137Cs; 210Pbex; Distribution; Radionuclide; Soil; SOC
Abstract: ► We evaluate the correlation of SOC with 210Pbex and 137Cs in forest environments. ► SOC shows strong and persistent affinity to 210Pbex than 137Cs. ► In forest soil, SOC and 210Pbex are replenished continuously from natural sources. ► 210Pbex model can help to trace SOC in forests around the world.
URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016706112003254
Title: Bird population declines due to radiation exposure at Chernobyl are stronger in species with pheomelanin-based coloration
Author: Galván, Ismael / Mousseau, Timothy A. / Møller, Anders P.
Reference: Oecologia, 165 (4), p.827-835, Apr 2011
doi:10.1007/s00442-010-1860-5
Keywords: Eumelanin, Glutathione, Pheomelanin, Plumage coloration, Radioactive contamination
Abstract: Eumelanin and pheomelanin are the most common pigments providing color to the integument of vertebrates. While pheomelanogenesis requires high levels of a key intracellular antioxidant (glutathione, GSH), eumelanogenesis is inhibited by GSH. This implies that species that possess the molecular basis to produce large amounts of pheomelanin might be more limited in coping with environmental conditions that generate oxidative stress than species that produce eumelanin. Exposure to ionizing radiation produces free radicals and depletes antioxidant resources. GSH is particularly susceptible to radiation, so that species with large proportions of pheomelanic integument may be limited by the availability of GSH to combat oxidative stress and may thus suffer more from radiation effects. We tested this hypothesis in 97 species of birds censused in areas with varying levels of radioactive contamination around Chernobyl. After controlling for the effects of carotenoid-based color, body mass and similarity among taxa due to common phylogenetic descent, the proportion of pheomelanic plumage was strongly negatively related to the slope estimates of the relationship between abundance and radiation levels, while no effect of eumelanic color proportion was found. This represents the first report of an effect of the expression of melanin-based coloration on the capacity to resist the effects of ionizing radiation. Population declines were also stronger in species that exhibit carotenoid-based coloration and have large body mass. The magnitude of population declines had a relatively high phylogenetic signal, indicating that certain groups of birds, especially non-corvid passeriforms, are particularly susceptible to suffer from the effects of radioactive contamination due to phylogenetic inertia.
URL: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00442-010-1860-5
