Distribution of childhood thyroid dose among cohort members for epidemiological health study in the Bryansk region

Title: Distribution of childhood thyroid dose among cohort members for epidemiological health study in the Bryansk region

Author: Konstantinov, Yuri O. / Bruk, Gennadi Y. / Ershov, Eduard B. / Lebedev, Oleg V.

Reference: International Congress Series, 1234, p.307-319, May 2002

doi: 10.1016/S0531-5131(01)00620-3

Keywords: Chernobyl; Dosimetry; Iodine-131; Thyroid

Abstract: With the aim of carrying out a long-term medical follow-up with radiation dose reconstruction, a cohort of subjects was selected among inhabitants of the most contaminated area in Russia following the Chernobyl accident (the western districts of Bryansk region). The cohort is comprised of 1065 subjects who were under 10 years old at the time of the accident. Most of them were examined on health status in the Chernobyl Sasakawa Health and Medical Cooperation Project. Since the main findings of studies in the project were thyroid abnormalities, selection of subjects was conducted on the basis of the plausible estimates of radiation dose to the thyroid. To estimate thyroid doses, the data from direct measurements of ¹³¹I in the thyroid and questionnaire data on individual dietary habits in May 1986 were used. Reasonable approximations were applied to reconstruct individual doses from available data, including doses for those persons who had not been measured for thyroidal radioiodine. The distribution of internal radiation dose to the thyroid among cohort members was obtained. The individual doses to particular subjects are estimated with inevitably essential degree of uncertainty. However, the distribution of subjects into wide dose intervals, from under 200 mGy to over 2 Gy, seems to be an acceptable approach for cohort study in radiation epidemiology.

URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0531513101006203

Iodine-129 in thyroid and urine in Ukraine and Denmark

Title: Iodine-129 in thyroid and urine in Ukraine and Denmark
Author: Hou, Xiaolin / Malencheko, A.F. / Kucera, J. / Dahlgaard, H. / Nielsen, S.P.

Reference: Science of The Total Environment, 302 (1-3), p.63-73, Jan 2003

doi: 10.1016/S0048-9697(02)00321-2

Keywords: Iodine-129; Thyroid; Urine; Ukraine; Denmark; Chernobyl accident

Abstract: Human thyroids collected from Gomel in Belarus, sheep thyroid from Jutland and human urine from Zealand in Denmark were analysed for 129I and 127I concentrations. The ratios of 129I/127I in human thyroid in Gomel are 2.65–11.0×10−9 with an average of 7.21×10−9, which is one order of magnitude higher than those from Asia and South America (10−10), but significantly lower than those observed in west Europe (10−8). A weak negative correlation (P<0.05) between 129I/127I ratio in human thyroid and the age of the subjects was observed in Gomel. The average ratio of 129I/127I in sheep thyroids from Jutland of Denmark is 1.81×10−7, which is two orders of magnitude higher than those in south hemisphere, and Asia. It is also significantly higher than those observed in other west European countries before 1984 and that in human thyroid in Gomel. The high thyroid 129I level in Jutland is attributed to the release of reprocessing plants in France and UK. The 129I/127I ratios in human urine in Zealand of Denmark are 0.86–2.86×10−8. The possibility of using urine 129I to evaluate the thyroid exposure to 129I is investigated.

URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969702003212

Risk of Radiation Exposure to Children and Their Mothers

Title: Risk of Radiation Exposure to Children and Their Mothers

Author: Petrova, A.

Reference: Encyclopedia of Environmental Health, Jan 2011

ISBN:9780444522726

Keywords: Children; Mothers; Radiation; Risk

Abstract: There is realistic concern about the impact of ionizing and nonionizing radiations on the health of children and their mothers. The magnitude and type of risks that are associated with radiation exposure to children and mothers must be determined to prevent the health consequences of such exposure. The developing organism is more sensitive to radiation and vulnerable to the development of radiation-induced pathology. Prenatal development, characterized by intensive cell proliferation, cell differentiation, and cell migration, is highly sensitive to radiation exposure. …Human epidemiological studies showed increased stillbirth trend, birth defects, thyroid cancer, and infant leukemia after the Chernobyl Nuclear Power accident in several European countries. …

URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780444522726002129

Molecular analysis of radiation-induced thyroid carcinomas in humans

Title: Molecular analysis of radiation-induced thyroid carcinomas in humans

Author: Rabes, Hartmut M

Reference: International Congress Series, 1236, p.207-215, Jul 2002

doi: 10.1016/S0531-5131(01)00750-6

Keywords: Papillary thyroid carcinoma; Gene rearrangement; RET; NTRK1; Genotype/phenotype correlations

Abstract: Correlations have been found between radiation exposure and thyroid carcinoma development, particularly in children. Recent studies on a large cohort of radiation-induced papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC) after the Chernobyl reactor accident disclosed a common type of underlying genetic alteration. A high prevalence of rearrangements of the receptor tyrosine kinase (TK) c-RET was observed, besides some rearrangements involving NTRK1. Radiation-induced RET rearrangements in PTC consist most frequently of fusions to the H4 gene (RET/PTC1) or to the ELE1 (ARA70) gene (RET/PTC3). Both fusions are formed by balanced paracentric inversions on chromosome 10. An analysis of the fused genes in ELE1/RET rearrangements revealed DNA double-strand breaks spread over a distance of about 2.3 kb in two introns and the interposed exon of ELE1, exon 11 and intron 11 of RET, without significant clustering in these parts of the genes. Topoisomerase I sites were found exactly at or in close vicinity to all breakpoints, suggesting a role for this enzyme in formation of DNA strand breaks or inversions. The genes fuse at short regions of sequence homology and short direct or inverted repeats (microhomology-mediated DNA end joining). A minority of PTC cases contain novel types of RET rearrangement, with RIα, GOLGA2, HTIF, HTIF homolog, RFG8, ELKS, KTN1 and PCM-1 as the 5′-fused genes. These novel types of gene fusions are formed by interchromosomal translocation. The formation of these rare types of rearrangement seems to be highly related to radiation as they have rarely been found in sporadic PTC. All RET gene fusions seem to act similarly on RET function: The strict physiological control of RET TK activity is suspended through constitutive activation by 5′-fused parts of genes containing coiled-coil domains with dimerization potential. RET expression in thyrocytes, which under normal conditions, lack RET TK activity apparently triggers clonal expansion and early invasion of the affected cells. RET-fused genes, some of which are transcriptional coactivators, are important determinators of the peculiar phenotype of the tumour and for its clinical course. This is most significant in RET/PTC3 rearrangements with ELE1 as the RET-fused gene: this type of rearrangement leads more often to the phenotype of a solid variant of PTC, and to rapid tumour development and early lymph node metastasis. Up to now, no other genetic aberration has more frequently been observed in PTC than RET rearrangement, thus suggesting that RET rearrangement represents a genetic marker lesion of radiation history in the development of a PTC.

URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0531513101007506

Chapter 8 Mechanisms of radiation-induced carcinogenesis: The thyroid model

Title: Chapter 8 Mechanisms of radiation-induced carcinogenesis: The thyroid model

Author: Nikiforov, Yuri E. / Fagin, James A.

Reference: Advances in Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, 2, p.169-196, Jan 1998

doi: 10.1016/S1569-2566(98)80016-1

Keywords: biological effects of radiation , papillary carcinoma, children

Abstract: Based on present information on the biological effects of radiation, the ultimate nature of the genetic events giving rise to the papillary carcinomas in the exposed children may have resulted either directly from DNA damage to oncogenic sequences (that is, ret/PTC), or may be due to downstream events taking place after the genome of the affected cell has been destabilized by as yet unexplained mechanisms. It is now clear that radiationinduced papillary carcinomas of Chernobyl have certain “signature” genetic features—namely a high prevalence of a particular form of ret/PTC rearrangement. This provides a definable end-point for future studies of radiation-induced DNA damage in thyroid cells, and may allow for the testing of more targeted hypothesis as to the natural history of these tumors. The exposure to the thyroid gland resulted from internal irradiation from absorbed shortlived radioiodines and, to a lesser extent, penetrating gamma radiation. Appearance of thyroid carcinomas was noted 10 years after the exposure, with seven papillary, one follicular, and seven occult thyroid cancers diagnosed among the 250 exposed individuals during 34 years of careful monitoring.

URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1569256698800161

Oncogenic rearrangements of the ret proto-oncogene in thyroid tumors induced after exposure to ionizing radiation

Title: Oncogenic rearrangements of the ret proto-oncogene in thyroid tumors induced after exposure to ionizing radiation

Author: Bounacer, A. / Wicker, R. / Schlumberger, M. / Sarasin, A. / Suárez, H.G.

Reference: Biochimie, 79 (9-10), p.619-623, Oct 1997

doi: 10.1016/S0300-9084(97)82012-3

Keywords: radiation-associated thyroid tumors; ret proto-oncogene; activating rearrangements; RET/PTC oncogene

Abstract: A high frequency (≃ 60%) of ret rearrangements in Chernobyl papillary thyroid c, reinomas (PTC) has been reported recently. The data suggested that the radiation exposure may be a direct inducer of activating rearrangements in the ret gene. In our study, we have analyzed for the presence of RET/PTC oncogenes using the RT-PCR, XL-PCR. Southern blot and direct sequencing techniques, 39 human thyroid tumors from patients who had received external radiation for benign or malignant conditions. As controls, we studied 39 ‘spontaneous’ tumors. Our results indicate that: 1) the overall frequency of ret rearrangements was 84% in papillary carcinomas () and 45% () in follicular adenomas; 2) in contrast with the results obtained in the Chernobyl tumors, the most frequently observed chimeric gene was RET/PTC1; and 3) all the tumors were negative for RET/PTC2. In the ‘spontaneous’ tumors, only the papillary carcinomas presented a ret rearrangement (15%; ). Our data confirm the crucial role played by the ret proto-oncogene activating rearrangements in the development of radiation-associated thyroid tumors, and show, for the first time, the presence of RET/PTC genes in follicular adenomas appeared after external irradiation.

URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0300908497820123

David V Becker

Title: David V Becker
Author: Williams, Ruth

Reference: The Lancet, 375 (9723), p.1342, Apr 2010

doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(10)60566-1

Keywords: Radiologist, thyroid endocrinologist

Abstract: Radiologist, thyroid endocrinologist, humanitarian. Born on May 24, 1923, in New York, USA, he died of heart disease on Jan 31, 2010, in New York aged 86 years.

Hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer are nowadays routinely treated by the administration of radioactive iodine. In the 1950s, however, the field of nuclear medicine was in its infancy and David Becker and his colleagues were pioneers. Becker was among the first to use radioiodine for imaging the thyroid, and for diagnosing and treating thyroid diseases. He established radioiodine as a clinical tool, but also studied its adverse effects after high-level exposure. This expertise was called upon in the wake of the Chernobyl power plant explosion of 1986.

URL:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140673610605661

RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT IN THE CHERNOBYL EXCLUSION ZONE – 25 YEARS SINCE THE CHERNOBYL NUCLEAR POWER PLANT ACCIDENT

Title: RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT IN THE CHERNOBYL EXCLUSION ZONE – 25 YEARS SINCE THE CHERNOBYL NUCLEAR POWER PLANT ACCIDENT

Author: Farfan, E. / Jannik, T.

Reference: HEALTH PHYSICS JOURNAL, 2011

Keywords: Radioactive waste, Chernobyl, ChNPP accident, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone

Abstract: Radioactive waste management is an important component of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident mitigation and remediation activities of the so-called Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. This article describes the localization and characteristics of the radioactive waste present in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone and summarizes the pathways and strategy for handling the radioactive waste related problems in Ukraine and the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, and in particular, the pathways and strategies stipulated by the National Radioactive Waste Management Program. The brief overview of the radioactive waste issues in the ChEZ presented in this article demonstrates that management of radioactive waste resulting from a beyond-designbasis accident at a nuclear power plant becomes the most challenging and the costliest effort during the mitigation and remediation activities.

URL: http://www.osti.gov/bridge/product.biblio.jsp?query_id=2&page=0&osti_id=1024196

Chernobyl: Consequences of the Catastrophe for People and the Environment

Title: Chernobyl: Consequences of the Catastrophe for People and the Environment

Author: Dreicer, Mona

Reference: Environmental Health Perspectives, 118 (11), p.A500-A500, Nov 2010

Keywords:

Abstract: As we near the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl accident, there is still significant disagreement on the degree of long-term adverse impacts in the region and the world, despite decades of environmental and heath effects research. As scientific research continues, assessments of the impacts have resulted in revisions of the earlier reports of large-scale impacts. According to the authors, Chernobyl: Consequences of the Catastrophe for the People and the Environment was written to provide a “brief and systematic” documentation of consequences of the accident.

URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2974725/

Aerosol radioactivity record in Bratislava/Slovakia following the Fukushima accident – A comparison with global fallout and the Chernobyl accident

Title: Aerosol radioactivity record in Bratislava/Slovakia following the Fukushima accident – A comparison with global fallout and the Chernobyl accident

Author: Povinec, P.P. / Sýkora, I. / Holý, K. / Gera, M. / Kováčik, A. / Brest’áková, L.

Reference: Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 114, p.81-88, Dec 2012

DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2012.05.008

Keywords: Atmospheric radioactivity; Aerosols; Global fallout; Radionulides; Fukushima accident

Abstract: Results of radioactivity measurements in Bratislava aerosols following the Fukushima accident showed that at least three radioactive plumes arrived to Bratislava as indicated by ¹³¹I/¹³⁷Cs activity ratios. When compared with the Chernobyl results available for the Bratislava station, the Fukushima radionuclide levels were almost five orders of magnitude lower, with the maximum values for ¹³¹I and ¹³⁷Cs of 0.5 and 0.07 mBq/m³, respectively. The ¹³¹I and ¹³⁷Cs vs. ⁷Be aerosol activity records showed that the increases in ¹³¹I and ¹³⁷Cs activity concentrations were accompanied by ⁷Be increases, indicating that both the horizontal and vertical transports of radionuclides were responsible for observed radionuclide concentrations. The ¹³⁴Cs/¹³⁷Cs activity ratio was close to 1, as has also been reported by other investigators.

URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0265931X12001221