Assessment of aerosol radioactivity in the atmospheric air of populated areas

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Abstract

Introduction. Due to the tense situation in the world, which may lead to deliberate emergencies at radiation-hazardous facilities as a result of terrorist or sabotage actions, the availability of methods for operational control of radioactive aerosols in the atmospheric air, as well as knowledge of background levels of α- and β-activity of aerosols in the locations of nuclear power facilities, mining and processing facilities

The aim of the study was to assess the radioactivity of aerosols in the atmospheric air according to the indices of α- and β-activity (using the example of the cities of Voronezh, Novovoronezh, Pavlovsk, Lipetsk, Stary Oskol).

Materials and methods. Atmospheric air sampling was carried out using a flow meter-sampler of PU-5 aerosol mixtures. The α- and β-activity of the surface of the AFA-RSP-20 filters was measured with the MKS-AT1117M dosimeter-radiometer with interchangeable detection units BDPA-01 and BDPB-01.

Results. The results of measurements of aerosols α- and β-activity in the atmospheric air in all control points in the territories of populated places established the α-activity of the aerosols to vary from 1.10 • 10–3 to 6.75 • 10–3 Bq/m3, total (total) β-activity – from 3. 49 • 10–3 to 2.12 • 10–2 Bq/m3. The maximum indices values took place at control points near the open-pit mining of the Shkurlatovsky granite deposit (near Pavlovsk, Voronezh region).

Limitations. The limitations of the study are related to possible errors of the proposed and tested methodology, single (one-time) measurements, variable meteorological conditions affecting a specific result.

Conclusion. The maximum values of aerosols α- and β-activity in the atmospheric air of populated areas are determined by the results of one-time measurements (6.75 • 10–3 Bq/m3 and 2.12 • 10–2 Bq/m3) do not cause concerns for the health of the living population.

Compliance with ethical standards. The study does not require the submission of the conclusion of the biomedical ethics committee or other documents.

Contribution:
Kuzmichev M.K. – measurement;
Klepikov O.V. – justification of measurement points, analysis of instrumental measurement materials;
Kurolap S.A. – concept and design of the study;
Kulnev V.V. – general analysis of the material, preparation of conclusions, preparation and editing of the article;
Kizeev A.N., Nikanov A.N. – significant contribution to the concept of research, preparation conclusions, final approval of the manuscript.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgment. The study was carried out within the framework of the Russian Science Foundation (RSF) project No. 20-17-00172 (https://rscf.ru/project/20-17-00172).

Received: May 3, 2024 / Accepted: June 19, 2024 / Published: September 10, 2024

About the authors

Maksim K. Kuzmichev

Center of Hygiene and Epidemiology in the Voronezh Region; Voronezh State Medical University

Author for correspondence.
Email: noemail@neicon.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0009-9903-7201

MD, PhD, head of the Radiological Laboratory of the Center of Hygiene and Epidemiology in the Voronezh Region, Voronezh, 394038, Russian Federation, Associate Professor of the Department of Hygienic Disciplines of the Voronezh State Medical University, Voronezh, 394036, Russian Federation

Russian Federation

Oleg V. Klepikov

Center of Hygiene and Epidemiology in the Voronezh Region; Voronezh State University; Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies

Email: noemail@neicon.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-9228-620X

MD, PhD, DSci., professor, Department of Geoecology and Environmental Monitoring, Voronezh State University, Voronezh, 394018, Russian Federation; Professor, Departments of Industrial Ecology, equipment of chemical and petrochemical industries, Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies, Voronezh, 394036, Russian Federation

Russian Federation

Semyon A. Kurolap

Voronezh State University

Email: noemail@neicon.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-6169-8014

MD, PhD, DSci. (Geogr.), professor, head of the Department of Geoecology and Environmental Monitoring, Voronezh State University, Voronezh, 394018, Russian Federation

Russian Federation

Vadim V. Kulnev

Voronezh State University; Central Chernozem Interregional Department of the Federal Service for Supervision of Natural Resources

Email: noemail@neicon.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-1646-9183

MD, PhD, leading specialist-expert, Department of State Environmental Supervision in the Voronezh region, Central Chernozem Interregional Department of the Federal Service for Supervision of Natural Resources, Voronezh, 394087, Russian Federation

Russian Federation

Aleksei N. Kizeev

North-West Public Health Research Center

Email: noemail@neicon.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-8689-7327

MD, PhD, senior researcher, Department of Social and Hygienic Analysis and Monitoring, North-West Public Health Research Center, St.-Petersburg, 394087, Russian Federation

Russian Federation

Aleksander N. Nikanov

North-West Public Health Research Center

Email: noemail@neicon.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-3335-4721

MD, PhD, leading researcher, head of the Scientific Department of Occupational Pathology, North-West Public Health Research Center, St.-Petersburg, 394087, Russian Federation

Russian Federation

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Copyright (c) 2024 Kuzmichev M.K., Klepikov O.V., Kurolap S.A., Kulnev V.V., Kizeev A.N., Nikanov A.N.


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