Health Risk Assessment of 238U and 226Ra Water Sources in a Uranium Mine
Received:April 20, 2021   Revised:May 07, 2021   Accepted:May 08, 2021      Published Online:September 18, 2021
View Full Text  View/Add Comment  Download reader
DOI:doi:10.3969/j.issn.1007-7545.2021.10.015
KeyWord:238U;226Ra;pollution characteristics;modified Nemerow evaluation method; risk assessment
              
AuthorInstitution
GAO Yang 东华理工大学水资源与环境工程学院
GAO Bai 东华理工大学水资源与环境工程学院
LIN Cong-ye 东华理工大学水资源与环境工程学院
ZHANG Hai-yang 东华理工大学水资源与环境工程学院
LIU Yun-zhu 东华理工大学水资源与环境工程学院
Hits: 1807
Download times: 2232
Abstract:
      In order to understand pollution characteristics of source items in a uranium mining area and potential health risks to surrounding residents, water samples from pollution sources were collected, activity concentration and effective dose equivalent of 238U and 226Ra were tested and analyzed. The activity concentration distribution characteristics were analyzed by box line diagram and normal distribution. Radionuclide and water quality pollution status in the study area was evaluated by modified Nemero method, and health risks of radionuclide drinking water in different ages (infants, children and adults) were evaluated. The results show that concentrations of 238U and 226Ra in study area are far higher than the local background value, and activity concentration of 238U is higher than that of 226Ra. Radionuclide content of mine entrance water is higher than that of waste rock and industrial site, and water body in mining area is seriously polluted by radionuclides. Penetrating radiation dose in study area has little impact on surrounding environment, and if sorted by impact size, the order of radionuclide carcinogenic risk is mine entrance > industrial site > waste rock. Sensitivity of radionuclides in different age groups is infants > children > adults. Lifetime cancer risk of children exceeds the maximum acceptable risk value of ICRP (International Commission on Radiation Protection). The exceeding rates of children and adults are 85.7% and 71.4% respectively.
Close