Open AccessINHALATION OF TRANSURANIC ELEMENTS IN CASE OF EMERGENCIES IN THE EXCLUSION ZONE OF THE CHERNOBYL NPP
Author(s) -
К. Н. Буздалкин,
V. N. Bortnovsky
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
mediko-biologičeskie i socialʹno-psihologičeskie problemy bezopasnosti v črezvyčajnyh situaciâh
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.147
H-Index - 2
eISSN - 2541-7487
pISSN - 1995-4441
DOI - 10.25016/2541-7487-2019-0-3-59-65
Subject(s) - radionuclide , inhalation , environmental science , radiochemistry , nuclear medicine , medicine , chemistry , nuclear physics , physics , anatomy
Relevance . In the radioactive contamination territory, any work must be carried out with mandatory individual dosimetric monitoring of participants using all the irradiation pathways. However, at present, the control of personnel exposure through the respiratory organs is not carried out due to the lack of methodological and technical support. Intention . To estimate the irradiation doses of personnel expected as a result of inhalation of transuranic elements during fires in the Belarusian sector of the Chernobyl exclusion zone. Methodology . The objects of research are aerosol particles containing 137 Cs, 90 Sr, 238 Pu, 239 Pu, 240 Pu, 241 Pu and 241 Am, formed as a result of high temperature sublimation and combustion of forest materials. The subject of research is the irradiation doses of personnel as a result of inhalation intake of 137 Cs, 90 Sr, 241 Am, 238 Pu, 239 Pu, 240 Pu and 241 Pu during fire fighting. Results and Discussion . The expected doses of internal irradiation in fire extinguishing participants in the Belarusian sector of the Chernobyl exclusion zone due to inhalation of transuranic elements were estimated. The assessments were carried out both by direct measurements of the volume activity of radionuclides in the breathing zone of fire fighting participants and via calculations. It is shown that the contribution of 137 Cs to the “inhalation” dose of personnel can be only 1 %. It is established that in the Belarusian sector of the Chernobyl exclusion zone the contribution of transuranic elements to the expected effective dose of internal radiation is about 60 %. Radiation doses of personnel expected as a result of inhalation of radionuclides did not exceed 0.1 mSv per year, which is significantly less than the control level established in the Polesye State Radiation Ecological Reserve for personnel (5 mSv per year). Conclusion . The proposed methods make it possible to conservatively assess the expected inhalation doses in personnel in case of fire fighting in the exclusion zone of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, as well as to ensure their accounting for individual dosimetric control.