Dynamics of family picture in graphic works by paranoid schizophrenic patients

The naturally radioactive but chemically inert gas, radon, is formed from the radioactive decay of radium which is part of the uranium series. Radon gas, which has a half life of 3.8 days, must escape from soil particles through air-filled pores in order to enter the atmosphere following the decay of radium. The concentration of radon in the atmosphere varies, depending on the place, time, height above the ground and meteorological conditions. It is thus an inescapable source of radiation exposure, both at home and at work. The potential hazards posed by exposure to radiation from indoor radon gas and its daughter products are of great concern worldwide. Noting of an excessive lung cancer risk among several groups of underground miners exposed to radon and its daughter products, studies on radon concentrations in the workplace and in dwellings have been conducted in many countries. The results have shown that the distribution of radon concentrations are approximately lognormal from which population weighted; the arithmetic mean of radon concentration of 40 Bq.m-3 has been adopted worldwide for dwellings and workplaces. The principal methods for reducing a high indoor radon concentration are: reducing the radon supply by reversing the pressure difference between the building and the soil; raising the resistance of the foundations to soil gas entry; removing the radon sources such as water or underlying soil; diluting the concentration by increasing the ventilation rate; and reducing the concentration of radon progeny by filtering and increasing the circulation of indoor air. Buildings which have a radon concentration higher than 200 Bq.m-3 should be investigated by the national authorities concerned; meanwhile, householders should be advised to take simple temporary precautions, such as increasing ventilation, until a permanent remedy can be effected.     

A case of spontaneous resolution of nonimmune hydrops fetalis

Indoor average 222Rn concentrations have been measured in more than 400 houses in Istanbul city. The average radon concentrations in the houses were found to be between 10 Bq m-3 and 260 Bq m-3 and the mean value was 50 Bq m-3.     

Vertical distribution of outdoor radon and thoron in Japan using a new discriminative dosimeter

Passive measurements of outdoor radon and thoron concentrations were conducted from June 1992 to June 1993 at a monitoring station over a soil area (10 m x 6 m) in Chiba city, Japan. The measurement period was divided into 4 parts to investigate seasonal variations of radon and thoron concentrations. Ten passive radon-thoron discriminative dosimeters (R-T dosimeters) were placed in duplicate at 5 different altitudes to show the vertical distributions of outdoor radon and thoron concentrations. Outdoor radon concentrations showed no significant difference within 1.0 m above the ground, and the annual average of outdoor radon concentration was 3.85 +/- 0.19 (SE) Bq m-3. Annual averages of outdoor thoron concentrations at 0.04, 0.15, 0.25, 0.70, and 1.0 m above the ground were 40.5 +/- 4.4, 22.5 +/- 3.7, 13.9 +/- 3.1, 9.5 +/- 2.9 (SE) Bq m-3, and < 9.0 Bq m-3; the lower detection limit of the dosimeter, respectively, and their vertical profiles, n(z) (Bq m-3), were expressed well by the formula n(z) = alpha z beta. Vertical profiles of the atmospheric turbulent diffusion coefficient were also estimated from the observed thoron profiles, as expressed by the power function K(z) = AzB, of which B values were estimated to vary from 1.034 to 1.609 if averaged thoron exhalation rates during the measurement periods were within 0.3 to 2.8 (Bq m-2 s-1).     

Value and limits of surgery in stage IIIB non-small-cell bronchial cancers

Storage of radon-producing material in two silos and two waste pits is one of the major environmental and occupational issues at a former uranium production facility, now a Superfund site. In addition, up to 100 metric tons of thorium is stored on the northeast side of the site. Concentrations of radium up to 17,600 Bq g(-1) (477,000 pCi g(-1)) or higher for silos and up to 45 Bq g(-1) (1,200 pCi g(-1)) for waste pits have been reported. This study was conducted to identify factors and climatic conditions that contribute to higher radon levels and to assess workers' exposure at the site. Data covering a 12-mo period were compiled from monitoring hourly real-time radon levels at indoor (within 3 buildings) and outdoor (at 14 on-site and 2 off-site monitoring stations) locations and from hourly site-specific meteorological information. The ranges of radon levels were as follows: 1.8-3,655 Bq m(-3) (0.05-98.8 pCi L(-1)) outdoor on-site, 3.7-329 Bq m(-3) (0.1-8.9 pCi L(-1)) outdoor off-site, and 1.8-111 Bq m(-3) (0.05-3.0 pCi L(-1)) indoor on-site. Only radon levels in the vicinity of the storage silos were significantly higher than levels off-site. Radon concentrations showed diurnal variations, with maximum levels occurring in the early morning and minimum levels in the afternoon. Seasonal variation was also observed, with radon levels higher during the summer through early fall and lower during the late winter through spring. Wind speed, relative humidity, and wind direction appeared to be the most significant predictors of radon concentration. The estimated radon dose to workers, calculated by using exposure models and annual average levels of radon in the work area, was below recommended exposure limits. These results suggest that the emission control methods at this site have been effective in maintaining environmental radon contamination and workers' exposure at acceptable levels.     

Indoor radon exposure and risk of lung cancer: a nested case-control study in Finland

BACKGROUND: Inhaled radon has been shown to cause lung cancer among underground miners exposed to very high radon concentrations, but the results regarding the effects of residential radon have been conflicting. PURPOSE: Our aim was to assess the effect of indoor radon exposure on the risk of lung cancer. METHODS: To investigate this effect, a nested case-control study was conducted in Finland. The subjects of the study were the 1973 lung cancer case patients (excluding patients with cancers of the pleura) diagnosed from January 1, 1986, until March 31, 1992, within a cohort of Finns residing in the same one-family house from January 1, 1967, or earlier, until the end of 1985 and 2885 control subjects identified from the same cohort and matched by age and sex. In September 1992, a letter was sent to all study subjects or proxy respondents explaining the purpose and methods of the study. After giving informed consent, the study participants were asked to fill out a questionnaire on smoking habits, occupational exposures, and other determinants of lung cancer risk and radon exposure. The odds ratio (OR) of lung cancer was estimated from matched and unmatched logistic regression analyses relative to indoor radon concentration assessed by use of a 12-month measurement with a passive alpha track detector. RESULTS. Five hundred seventeen case-control pairs were used in the matched analysis, and 1055 case subjects and 1544 control subjects were used in the unmatched analysis. The OR of lung cancer for indoor radon exposure obtained from matched analysis was 1.01 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.94-1.08) per 2.7 pCi/L (100 Bq m-3) after adjustment for the cigarette smoking status, intensity, duration, and age at commencement of smoking by subjects. For indoor radon concentrations 1.4-2.6, 2.7-5.3, 5.4-10.7, and 10.8-34.5 pCi/L (50-99, 100-199, 200-399, and 400-1277 Bq m-3, respectively), the matched ORs were 1.03 (95% CI = 0.84-1.26), 1.00 (95% CI = 0.78-1.29), 0.91 (95% CI = 0.61-1.35), and 1.15 (95% CI = 0.69-1.93), respectively, relative to the concentration below 1.4 pCi/L (0-49 Bq m-3). The unmatched analysis yielded similar results with somewhat smaller CIs. In the analyses stratified by age, sex, smoking status, or histologic type of lung cancer, no statistically significant indications of increased risk of lung cancer related to indoor radon concentration were observed for any of the subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results do not indicate increased risk of lung cancer from indoor radon exposure. IMPLICATION: Indoor radon exposure does not appear to be an important cause of lung cancer.     

Radon-222 and gamma ray levels associated with the collection, processing, transmission, and utilization of natural gas

The natural gas industry in British Columbia was investigated for exposure to radioactive contaminants such as radon-222 and lead-210. Radon activity associated with the gathering system ranged from 7-921 Bq/m3. The pipelines to the processing facility contained sludge that had a mean lead-210 activity of 0.494 Bq/g (0.379 standard deviation [SD]) and a mean radium-226 activity of 0.417 (0.398 SD). Within the processing facility the highest levels of radon were associated with propane production streams, and activities as high as 4958 Bq/m3 were found. Equipment handling these streams was also found to have a buildup of scale with lead-210, radium-224, and radium-226 activity. The transmission of salable gas to the consumer indicated a decrease in radon activity that was slightly lower than the estimated radon activity based on the half-life of radon, the distance from the production facility, and the speed of gas transmission. The risk of radon exposure to the worker was deemed well below the guidelines and would be controlled more than adequately by means of the occupational standards for the natural gas components. Gamma ray exposure was also well below the occupational standards. Radon exposure to the consumer was virtually nonexistent in the Vancouver region from both natural gas and propane. Although this might not be the case for consumers of propane closer to the production facilities, its contribution is likely to be minimal.     

Importance of a nursing model during changes in the hospital: a sweeping developmental process has begun within the nursing services]

Radon exposure was shown to be carcinogenic and suggested as a possible causative factor for lung cancer in man. A hypothesis is introduced that medium high radon (between 110 and 165 Bq/m3) causes lower cancer risk among women younger than 61 years, independent of the type of cancer. The presented results verify this statement with a probability of not less than 98%.     

Copy-milled all-ceramic Celay-InCeram crowns for modified CeraOne abutments: a technical report

The effective radiation doses received by children living in high radon areas are similar to those which have been associated with an excess risk of malignant disease elsewhere. However, the only cancer known to be associated with radon is lung cancer--a disease which is not a condition of childhood. Thorne and his colleagues have conducted a study which could have demonstrated an excess of childhood malignancy only if the risk associated with radon was very high. The risk to health of high levels of radon in the environment remains uncertain. The United Kingdom Case Control Study of Childhood Cancers, under the chairmanship of Sir Richard Doll, is assessing risk from many factors including measured radon exposure and it is with great interest that we await the results.     

禾本植物对覆土铀尾矿库滩面温度与氡析出的影响

铀尾矿库属于特殊核设施,是核工业铀矿冶系统最主要的环境辐射污染源,铀尾矿库滩面控氡一直是生态环境修复的重大难题。采用堆砌物理模型进行对照试验,分析覆土植被修复后铀尾矿库滩面氡析出及温湿度特征,并采用R/S分析法分析植被覆盖对滩面温度变化及氡析出率的影响。结果表明：植被修复后铀尾矿库滩面温度变化程度降低,氡析出率降低,植被覆盖后氡析出率维持在0.31 Bq/(m²·s)以下,相较于单层红土覆盖氡析出率峰值下降74%,相较于多层覆土覆盖,氡析出率峰值下降45%,氡析出率波动程度降低,单层红土覆盖层、多层覆土覆盖层氡析出率标准差分别为0.345、0.123 Bq/(m²·s);植被培养至平均株高17cm、30cm时氡析出率标准差为0.027、0.062 Bq/(m²·s),氡析出率震荡区间减小,稳定性增加。该研究从铀尾矿库滩面度温度变化和氡析出率震荡程度两个方面分析植被覆盖对铀尾矿库滩面的影响,可以对铀尾矿库生态修复方案提供技术支撑。     

Assessment of Indoor Air Quality in Interior Alaskan Homes

Interior Alaska has indoor air quality issues similar to those of other far northern communities associated with long cold winters and reduced ventilation rates. Moreover, geological features in the hills around Fairbanks, Alaska increase the likelihood of elevated radon levels. To better quantify these features, our team has gathered data at 68 homes. We used CO2 concentrations as a surrogate for indoor air quality as well as to help determine ventilation rates to be used in subsequent modeling work. We found the CO2 data correlated well using basic mass conservation considerations for yearly averages. The summer CO values ranged from 1 to 9 ppm and the winter values from 0 to 23 ppm. For homes with woodstoves, we found the indoor PM10 concentrations rose after the stoves were fired up. Here PM10 refers to particles smaller than 10 μm. Over 40% of the tested homes in the hills around Fairbanks had radon levels>4?pCi/L compared to a nationwide average of 7%. Active subslab depressurization systems tested were very effective in reducing indoor radon concentrations (average reduction of over 90% for eight homes).     

Phase I dose-escalation study of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and concomitant radiation therapy

Long-term exposure to indoor radon may lead to an increased lifetime risk of lung cancer. Because millions of U.S. residential homes may have elevated radon levels, indoor radon exposure may pose a substantial public health threat. In Anne Arundel County (Maryland), a county-wide residential radon survey indicated that 82% of all residential radon readings in the survey were below Environmental Protection Agency remediation guidelines. Of the elevated indoor measurements, however, 94.4% were distributed in the southern portion of the county. These results are consistent with data compiled by the EPA and the U.S. Geologic Survey. Continued residential radon testing should be encouraged, especially in areas with elevated readings.     

Management of Radon in Tunnel Drilling

According to the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) report in 1982, radiation from radon contributes about 50% of all natural radiation sources to the public. The situation is worse in Hong Kong where large area is granitic containing larger amount of uranium when compared to the global mean. Radon level can therefore be on the high side during tunneling especially where poor ventilation is envisaged. This article includes realistic field study of radon in tunnel under construction. A maximum concentration of over 30,000?Bq/m3 was recorded (1 Becquerels per cubic meter is equivalent to 0.027?pico?Curies/L). Radon concentration in tunnel environment is found to be related to groundwater ingress, ventilation provision and geology. A review of the current statutory control in Hong Kong is done as well as its comparison with other countries’ practices. In fact, the situation can be improved through education, adopting control legislation and more specifically, having a suggested radon management plan in every tunnel drilling project.     

Biliary tract complications in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A multicenter study of 148 biliary tract injuries in 26,440 operations

BACKGROUND: Several ecologic analyses have shown significant positive associations between mean indoor radon concentrations and risk of leukemia at all ages (acute myeloid leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia) and for children (all leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia [ALL]). As part of an age-matched, case-control study of childhood ALL in the United States, we investigated the association between the incidence of ALL in children under age 15 years and indoor radon exposure. METHODS: Radon detectors were placed in current and previous homes of subjects where they resided for 6 months or longer. Children were included in analyses if radon measurements covered 70% or more of the 5-year period prior to diagnosis for case subjects (or from birth for case subjects under age 5 years) and the corresponding reference dates for control subjects. Radon levels could be estimated for 97% of the exposure period for the eligible 505 case subjects and 443 control subjects. RESULTS: Mean radon concentration was lower for case subjects (65.4 becquerels per cubic meter [Bqm(-3)]) than for control subjects (79.1 Bqm(-3)). For categories less than 37, 37-73, 74-147, and 148 or more Bqm(-3) of radon exposure, relative risks based on matched case-control pairs were 1.00, 1.22, 0.82, and 1.02, respectively, and were similar to results from an unmatched analysis. There was no association between ALL and radon exposure within subgroups defined by categories of age, income, birth order, birth weight, sex, type of residence, magnetic field exposure, parental age at the subject's birth, parental occupation, or parental smoking habits. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to prior ecologic studies, the results from this analytic study provide no evidence for an association between indoor radon exposure and childhood ALL.     

Presence and activity of cytochrome P450 isoforms in minipig liver microsomes. Comparison with human liver samples

The average tritiated water concentration in the indoor air of the occupationally exposed worker's residence (55 Bq m(-3), range 53-59 Bq m(-3)) was higher than the indoor air of control residences (0.7 Bq m(-3), range 0.4-0.8 Bq m(-3)). The worker had an average concentration of tritium-in-urine of 30 kBq L(-1) from chronic intakes of occupational levels of tritiated water. Higher residential concentrations of tritiated water vapor were due to tritium transferred by the worker. Urine samples from an adult co-occupant were collected and had tritiated water concentrations between 89 and 345 Bq L(-1). These concentrations were higher than for individuals (range, 6-32 Bq L(-1)) living in other residences having similar outdoor and indoor concentrations of tritiated water in air. The range of measured tritiated water in urine was in agreement with the prediction of biokinetic models for tritium intakes as recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection Publication 56. The tritiated water vapor in the indoor air of the exposed worker's residence contributed about 96% of the daily tritium intakes. The annual average tritium dose to the family member (7 microSv) was well below the International Commission on Radiological Protection Publication 60 recommended annual dose limit (1 mSv) for members of the public. We conclude that, for a few members of the public living near a heavy-water research reactor facility, daily intakes of tritium will relate to tritiated water dispersed by the exposed worker, as well as to tritium transported by the atmosphere from the reactor site.     

Specificity of the Speed''s test: arthroscopic technique for evaluating the biceps tendon at the level of the bicipital groove

A historical cohort study was conducted in Misasa town, Tottori prefecture, Japan, where radon spas have been operating for a long time. Misasa town was divided into an elevated radon level area and a control area, with mean indoor radon levels of about 60 and 20 Bq/m3, respectively. In total, 3,083 subjects in the elevated radon level area and 1,248 in the control area, all aged 40 or older on January 1, 1976, were followed up until December 31, 1993, for a mean period of 14 years. The mortality rates from all causes exhibited no difference between the elevated radon level area and the control area for both sexes. No difference was observed in the incidence of all-site cancers (age, period-adjusted rate ratios by Poisson regression, RR = 1.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.79-1.42 for males, RR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.65-1.24 for females), while stomach cancer incidence seemed to decrease for both sexes (RR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.44-1.11 for male, RR = 0.58, 95% CI 0.34-1.00 for female) and lung cancer incidence for males only seemed to increase (RR = 1.65, 95% CI 0.83-3.30 for male, RR = 1.07, 95% CI 0.28-4.14 for female) in the elevated radon level area. Caution is needed in the interpretation of these findings, however, since the individual exposure level was not measured and major confounding factors, such as smoking and diet, could not be controlled in this study.     

Calculation procedure of potential alpha energy concentration with continuous air sampling

A continuous potential alpha energy concentration monitor was developed to estimate the lung dose for inhalation of radon progeny. A silicon semiconductor detector was used as a detector. The build-up method was used and alpha particles emitted from 218Po, 214Po, 212Bi, and 212Po were detected. As 218Po and 212Bi have alpha particles of nearly the same energy, three detecting channels were set up. Counts corresponding to each nuclide were sent to a printer every 30 min. For the purpose of determining the potential alpha energy concentration of radon progeny continuously, a proper calculation procedure was investigated in detail. With this method, 218Po concentration and potential alpha energy concentration of radon progeny could be continuously obtained. The potential alpha energy concentration based on this procedure agreed well with that calculated from individual radon progeny concentration. When the measurement was done at 30-min intervals, the minimum detectable concentrations of 218Po concentration and equilibrium equivalent radon concentration were 0.3 Bq m(-3) and 0.15 Bq m(-3), respectively. The monitor can be used not only to estimate the lung dose but also to analyze environmental behavior of radon progeny.     

Intracranial epidermoid and dermoid cysts. Results of microneurosurgery

A number of radon-related properties have been surveyed in underground shopping centers in Hong Kong. These parameters include the radon concentration, the total potential alpha energy concentration of radon progeny, the equilibrium factor and the unattached fraction of radon progeny. The mean values recorded for these were 29.2 +/- 7.8 Bq/m3, 3.60 +/- 1.53 mWL, 0.46 +/- 0.16 and 0.05 +/- 0.03, respectively. Based on these figures, we have calculated the average radon dose received by employees in an underground shopping center in Hong Kong to be 0.22 mSv/yr, which represents an approximate increase of 8% over the total dose of about 2.7 mSv/yr received by the average person in Hong Kong.     

Domestic violence in the workplace

1. It is important for workers, management, and health and safety personnel to recognize a history of domestic violence may place an individual at risk for acts of violence at work. 2. Employers and unions are beginning to recognize domestic violence may impact the economic well being of a workplace by decreasing productivity and attendance, and by increasing insurance and health care costs. 3. Few companies have policies related to general safety, general workplace violence, or specifically to domestic violence. All departments within the corporation or business should help to develop and implement these policies, and training in the policies must include all levels of the business.     

Control of exposure to airborne viable microorganisms during remediation of moldy buildings; report of three case studies

Three different techniques for reducing exposure to microorganisms were tested during remediation of moldy buildings. Concentrations of spores (fungi and actinomycetes) were determined by filter sampling before, during, and after remediation. The local exhaust method used for asbestos dismantling was the most effective control method. In the construction zone, concentrations of microorganisms were 4-25 times higher during remediation than before it. In the adjacent area no increase in concentrations was seen. When the construction zone was placed under negative pressure with a fan and isolated with a plastic barrier, concentrations of microorganisms were about 100 times higher there during remediation work. Nevertheless, levels remained low in the adjacent area. The use of a portable exhaust fan with a side-draft hood decreased concentrations of fungi to one-tenth compared with demolition without the control technology. Furthermore, this method prevented the migration of fungal spores from the construction zone to the adjacent area, although it was less effective in prevention of actinomycete spore migration. It also decreased the levels of microorganisms in the construction zone below the preconstruction level within 2 hours. This study showed that levels of airborne microorganisms, including from the working area to adjacent area, can be reduced with commonly used dust control methods during demolition work. However, microorganism levels in the construction zone remained elevated. Therefore, personal protection of construction workers is needed even with control techniques.     

Residential radon exposure and lung cancer among nonsmoking women

BACKGROUND: Radon at sufficiently high concentrations is known to cause lung cancer among underground miners and in experimental laboratory animals. PURPOSE: Our aim was to determine whether indoor levels of radon are associated with a detectable increase in lung cancer. Nonsmoking women were selected because they offer the best opportunity to detect radon-related risk while minimizing the potentially confounding influences of cigarette smoking and occupation. METHODS: A population-based, case-control study of incident lung cancer was conducted in Missouri. A total of 538 non-smoking white women diagnosed with lung cancer between 1986 and 1992 and 1183 age-matched control subjects were identified from the Missouri Cancer Registry and from driver's license and Medicare listings, respectively. Information on lung cancer risk factors was obtained by telephone interview. Year-long radon measurements were sought in every dwelling occupied for the previous 5-30 years. RESULTS: Radon measurements covered 78% of the relevant residential period, and women reported being indoors for 84% of this time. The time-weighted average radon concentrations were exactly the same for case subjects and control subjects (1.82 pCi/L of air [pCi L-1]). Radon levels greater than 4 pCi L-1 were experienced by 6.5% of the case subjects and 6.8% of the control subjects. For all data combined, there was little evidence for a trend of lung cancer with increasing radon concentrations (two-tailed trend test, P = .99 continuous data analysis; P = .19 categorical data analysis). A positive dose-response trend was suggested for the adenocarcinoma cell type and among directly interviewed women (two-tailed trend test; P = .31 continuous data analysis; P = .04 categorical data analysis), but not for other histologies or among those who had surrogate interviews. CONCLUSIONS: The possibility of detecting a risk from indoor radon in this study was maximized by (a) including a large number of nonsmoking women with high indoor occupancy, (b) conducting a large number of radon measurements near the time of the diagnosis of cancer, and (c) controlling for known causes of lung cancer. However, an association between lung cancer and the exposure to domestic levels of radon was not convincingly demonstrated. IMPLICATIONS: The magnitude of the lung cancer risk from radon levels commonly found in U.S. dwellings appears low.