Radiological Hygiene
Investigation of 131I radioactivity levels in soil around the nuclear medicine decay pool after the 7·20 extraordinary rainstorm disaster in Zhengzhou, Henan
Xuan Yuelan, Zhao Yanfang, Zhang Qinfu, Wu Li, Wang Man
Published 2023-02-25
Cite as Chin J Radiol Med Prot, 2023, 43(2): 106-111. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112271-20220728-00308
Abstract
ObjectiveTo explore whether or not radioactive wastewater leakage or overflow exists in the nuclear medicine decay pool after the 7·20 extraordinary rainstorm disaster and to analyze its causes, so as to provide scientific basis for the design, construction and maintenance of the nuclear medicine decay pool and the radiation protection management of nuclear medicine in the future.
MethodsThree hospitals A, B and C where 131I therapy are being performed were selected in Zhengzhou city, Henan province. Sampling points were set based on the monitoring result of the environmental radiation level around the nuclear medical decay pool in line with the relevent standard method. Soil samples were collected at different depths. The 131I radioactivity level in the soil was measured using HPGe gamma spectrometer, with the measured result being processed and analyzed.
ResultsExcept for Hospital B where no 131I was detected, different 131I activity concentrations were detected in the soil samples collected around the nuclear medicine decay pool at Hospitals A and C. The 131I activity concentrations ranged from 16.4 to 98 111.8 Bq/kg at Hospital A and from 10.6 to 7 176.6 Bq/kg at Hospital C. After a time period of decay, the repeated detection has shown that the 131I activity concentrations ranged from 1.3 to 17.0 Bq/kg at Hospital A and from 3.9 to 7.1 Bq/kg at Hospital C. The 131I activity concentration in the soil at the depth of 0-5 cm was higher than that at the depth of 5-10 cm soil at the same sampling point. The ratios of activity concentration of 131I between different depths ranged from 1.3 to 13.1, with the median value of 5.9.
ConclusionsAfter the 7·20 extraordinary rainstorm disaster, the surrounding environment of nuclear medicine decay pools at a few hospitals was contamminated by 131I to some extent. To prevent the risk of leakage of radioactive wastewater, the safety evaluation and management of radiation protection should be made better with increased awareness during the design, evaluation, construction and use of nuclear medicine decay pools.
Key words:
"7·20" extraordinary rainstorm; Decay pool; Soil; 131I; Radioactivity level
Contributor Information
Xuan Yuelan
Radiological Health Department, Third People′s Hospital of Henan Province, Henan Hospital for Occupational Diseases, Zhengzhou 450052, China
Zhao Yanfang
Radiological Health Department, Third People′s Hospital of Henan Province, Henan Hospital for Occupational Diseases, Zhengzhou 450052, China
Zhang Qinfu
Radiological Health Department, Third People′s Hospital of Henan Province, Henan Hospital for Occupational Diseases, Zhengzhou 450052, China
Wu Li
Radiological Health Department, Third People′s Hospital of Henan Province, Henan Hospital for Occupational Diseases, Zhengzhou 450052, China
Wang Man
Radiological Health Department, Third People′s Hospital of Henan Province, Henan Hospital for Occupational Diseases, Zhengzhou 450052, China
