Chernobyl

 

CIS 02-904 DNA damage induced by UV-C irradiation in leukocytes of Chernobyl accident clean-up workers. Arutyunyan R.M., Hovhannisyan G.G., Ghazanchyan E.G., Nersesyan A.K., Central European Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2001, Vol.7, No.1, p.15-21. 20 ref. (In English)

The comet assay was used to estimate DNA damage induced by UV-C in leukocytes of 12 persons who were engaged during 1986-1987 in the clean-up of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant after the 1986 accident. Blood samples were collected in 1997, namely 10 years after the radiation exposure. Reference blood samples were obtained from 12 healthy persons of corresponding ages. Results show an increased repair capacity of DNA in leukocytes of irradiated persons exposed to UV-C, when compared with leukocytes from controls. This phenomenon is presumably due to a radio-adaptive response. There were no statistically significant differences in the spontaneous levels of DNA damage in leukocytes between the individuals in the two groups. Some hypotheses concerning adaptive response in cells of persons previously exposed to low doses of ionizing radiation are discussed. (78595)

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CIS 01-1203 Environmental radioactivity, population exposure and related health risks in the east Baltic region. Balonov M.I., Krisyuk E.M., Ramel C., Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health, 1999, Vol.25, Suppl.3, p.17-32. Illus. 56 ref. (In English)

Radioactive contamination, population exposures and the risk of damage to human health are surveyed in the east Baltic region. Principal sources include global fallout, the Chernobyl accident, and marine transport of radionuclides. A mean annual exposure of 2-3mSv comes from environmental radioactivity. Main contributors are primarily radon and its decay products. The Chernobyl accident brought an additional dose of about 0.5mSv in southern Finland and 1.4mSv in the most contaminated districts of the Leningrad region, Russia. Both external and internal exposure via contaminated food contributed to this exposure. Radiation health risks are lung cancer among the general population from indoor exposure to radon, acute radiation syndrome from occupational exposure, thyroid cancer among children in heavily contaminated areas and mutations among offspring of exposed parents. (77007)

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CIS 99-1641 Risk management: Role of social factors in major industrial accidents. Britkov V., Sergeev G., Safety Science, Oct.-Nov. 1998, Vol.30, No.1-2, p.173-181. 15 ref. (In English)

Societal factors play an important role in creating 'favourable' conditions for the occurrence of major industrial accidents. This general conclusion rests on the analyses of several serious accidents which took place in recent years, including the Chernobyl, Three Mile Island and Bhopal tragedies. Main factors of a social nature, such as regulatory functions and mechanisms, legal aspects and economic considerations, and acting in conjunction with technological factors, create preconditions which make major industrial accidents possible. The situation in the industrial safety sphere in the former USSR and its successor, the Russian Federation, taken as a case study, demonstrates the validity of the points raised in the presentation and serves as a basis for several conclusions. The three major accidents amply demonstrate the importance of societal factors in the origin and development of human-made technological disasters. Topics: analysis of accident causes; disasters; human behaviour; human factors; human failure; legal aspects; major hazards; plant safety organization; Russian Federation; social aspects. (73685)

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CIS 97-982 Environmental dose reconstruction and risk implications. Till J.E., ed., National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, USA, Oct. 1996. ii, 373p. Illus. Bibl.ref., ISBN 0-929600-53-3 (In English)

Dose reconstruction (DR), i.e. the retrospective process of estimating doses to the public from historic releases of radionuclides or chemicals to the environment was the topic of the 31st Annual Meeting of the US National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP), held on 12-13 Apr. 1995 in Arlington (VA). Engineering, statistics, biology, environmental transport of contaminants, uncertainty analysis, epidemiology and public interest are the main aspects discussed in relation to DR and its health implications (principally, radiation-induced cancers). Case studies for atmospheric weapons tests, nuclear weapons complex facilities and the Chernobyl accident are included to illustrate the strength and weakness of projects on DR in the general population as well as in plant facilities workers. The proceeding also includes a lecture in honour of S. Taylor, first NCRP President, covering radiation protection and measurements. (69023)

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CIS 96-333 Health consequences of the Chernobyl accident. World Health Organization, Distribution and Sales Service, 1211 Genève 27, Switzerland, 1995. vi, 38p. Illus. Price: CHF 11.00 (CHF 7.70 in developing countries)., ISBN 92-4-156181-5 (In English)

This report summarizes the results of international investigations into the health consequences of the Chernobyl nuclear accident (26 Apr. 1986). It concentrates on findings from the International Programme on the Health Effects of the Chernobyl Accident (IPHECA). Contents: causes of the accident and the extent of radioactive contamination; response by national authorities and international organizations; establishment and role of IPHECA; types of health consequences (radiation effects and psychological problems); results of IPHECA pilot projects on health consequences (dosimetry, thyroid disorders, leukaemia and related blood disorders, brain damage in utero, oral health); future work. (65934)

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CIS 94-1051 Radiation Protection Research and Training Programme - Evolution, achievements, perspectives. Commission of the European Communities, Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, 2985 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, 1993. vii, 123p. Price: ECU 15.00., ISBN 92-826-6286-1 (In English)

This report describes the evolution of the Commission's Radiation Protection Programme for 1987-92 and provides an overview of the progress made during that period, including the results obtained through the implementation of post-Chernobyl actions made possible by the 1988-89 revision of the research programme. A scientific evaluation by sectors covers: measurement of radiation dose and its interpretation; radioecology; consequences of radiation exposure to man; risk and management of radiation protection - assessment of human exposure and risks; optimization of radiation protection in medicine; education and training in radiation protection. (62452)

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CIS 93-1709 Monitoring and surveillance in accident situations - Post-Chernobyl action. Chadwick K., Menzel H., Commission of the European Communities, Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, 2985 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, 1993. xxiv, 163p. Illus. Bibl.ref. Price: ECU 20.00., ISBN 92-826-5330-7 (In English)

Following the Chernobyl reactor accident, the Commission of the European Communities redirected its radiation protection research programme to accommodate additional programmes concerned with preparedness for monitoring and surveillance of any future accident. The seven new research contracts are described in this report. They cover: accident detection networks; dose-rate measuring instruments; measurement of surface contamination with β-emitting radionuclides; in situ gamma-ray spectrometry; rapid methods of radionuclide analysis; in vivo measurements. (60787)

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CIS 93-697 Can nuclear power plant operators work without error?. (Russian: Mogut li operatory AĖS rabotat' bezošibočno?) Čačko S.A., Tehničeskaja ėstetika, 1992, No.2, p.10-13. Illus. 14 ref. (In Russian)

The basic findings of industrial psychology concerning "operator error" are reviewed. A primary cause of the Chernobyl disaster was not so much operator error per se as a lack of necessary standards. A case of human error amounts to a brief involuntary deviation from the standards or to a single fault in their formulation. Achieving error-free operation in practice requires dealing with three factors: the operator him/herself, the man-machine interface and the interactions of the personnel as a whole. (59678)

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CIS 91-2086 Work under extreme conditions. Luczak H., Ergonomics, June 1991, Vol.34, No.6, p.687-720. Illus. Bibl.ref. (In English)

In this paper, extreme conditions are defined in terms of deviation from the norm, and the mismatch between capacity and demand. Using an ergonomic job analysis technique, certain extreme conditions are identified, including extreme confinement, extremes in the physical environment, high probability of occupational disease and/or risk of injury. Work in three physical environments each with two extremes are discussed in detail: climatic influences, influences of gravity and acceleration, and influences of atmospheric pressure. Task and error-concepts for workers operating under extreme workload are investigated with reference to Chernobyl, stress-strain concepts for air traffic control, college examinations and shiphandling. (57111)

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CIS 94-1729 Radiation Protection Research and Training Programme. Finzi S., Gerber G.B., Bennett E., Commission of the European Communities, Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, 2985 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, 1990. 2 vols. xv, 245p. and xxxiv, 214p. Bibl.ref. Price: ECU 20.00 each report., ISBN 92-826-1940-0, ISBN 92-826-1941-9 (In English)

The first of these two reports describes the evolution of the Commission's Radiation Protection Programme over its 30 years of existence (1960-89) along with a synopsis of the most important results of the 1985-1989 Programme (radiation dosimetry and its interpretation, behaviour and control of radionuclides in the environment, effects of ionizing radiation, radiation carcinogenesis, genetic effects of ionizing radiation, evaluation of radiation risks and optimization of radiation protection). The second report contains summaries of ten post-Chernobyl activities carried out under the revised research programme for 1988-89. (62873)

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CIS 92-1846 Ionising radiations: Introductory overviews - I. Types and effects; II. Origins and control. Hughes D., Moseley T.J., Commission of the European Communities, H and H Scientific Consultants Ltd., P.O. Box MT27, Leeds LS17 8QP, United Kingdom, 1990. 2 videocassettes (22min. + 27min.). Price: GBP 24.95 each (GBP 44.95 for the two on one tape) + VAT + postage. (In English)

Contents of these training videotapes: (I) - History of man-made radiations; types of ionising radiation; effects of radiation on DNA; somatic and hereditary effects; units used for measuring effects; the Chernobyl disaster; stochastic and non-stochastic effects; comparative risks; dose limits. (II) - Beneficial and harmful results of radiation; units used for measurement; man-made sources; problems of reprocessing in the nuclear power industry; fall-out problems after an accident (Chernobyl); medical exposure (X-rays, nuclear medicine); problems of altitude (cosmic rays); radiation from food and drink; ground radioactivity; radon gas; survey of legislation in the UK. (59206)

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CIS 91-623 Evaluation of the radiation protection research programmes - (1980-1984 and 1985-1989). Wambersie A., Akehurst R.L., Marcus F., Proukakis C., Rajewsky M.F., Sinclair W.K., Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, 2985 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, July 1989. cx, 170p. Illus. Price: ECU 21.25. (In English)

The 6 programme sectors independently evaluated, were: A - Radiation dosimetry; B - Behaviour and control of radionuclides; C - Non-stochastic effects of ionising radiation; D - Radiation carcinogenesis; E - Genetic effects of ionising radiation; F - Evaluation of radiation risks. Recommendations include further study in the areas of: internal and accident dosimetry and biophysical modelling; certain phenomena associated with radionuclides in the environment following the Chernobyl accident; acute effects, particularly following irradiation in utero; molecular genetics and cell biology of radiation carcinogenesis; risk evaluation, with particular reference to radon and medical radiology. Detailed summaries in all 9 official languages of the Community. (55517)

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CIS 92-1006 Radiation protection practice. Australian Radiation Protection Society, Pergamon Press (Australia) Pty Ltd, 19a Boundary Street, Rushcutters Bay, NSW 2011, Australia, 1988. 3 vols. 1668p. Illus. Bibl.ref., ISBN 0-08-034440-2, ISBN 0-08-034441-0, ISBN 0-08-034442-9 (In English)

Proceedings of the seventh International Congress of the International Radiation Protection Association held in Sydney, Australia, 10-17 April 1988. Papers are presented under the following headings: radiation risks in perspective; instrumentation (dosimetry, environmental monitoring); accelerator safety; biology (metabolism, carcinogenic and teratogenic effects); natural radiation (radon exposure in dwellings and in mining); non-ionising radiation (optical range, video display terminals, electromagnetic fields, bioeffects, surveys and safety); nuclear fuel cycle (operational exposures); environmental transfers and modelling; medical radiation exposure; regulatory developments; radiation accidents (accident scenarios, medical treatment, emergency procedures, Chernobyl); management of radioactive materials (transportation, recycling, disposal); operational safety; contamination from weapons tests; training, education and communication. (58027)

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CIS 89-237 Chernobyl - was it the worst accident? A perspective view of industrial disasters. Marshall V.C., Loss Prevention Bulletin, June 1988, No.81, p.1-14. Illus. 16 ref. (In English)

Evaluation of the possible parameters which could be used to compare the Chernobyl disaster with other major industrial accidents. Parameters discussed: criteria of severity; immediate fatalities; delayed fatalities; physical injuries; psychosocial parameters; environmental end property damage. (51095)

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CIS 88-1332 The Chernobyl accident. Hall A.N., Hall S.F., Nixon W., Loss Prevention Bulletin, Aug. 1987, No.076, p.22-29. Illus. 3 ref. (In English)

The accident at the Chernobyl (USSR) nuclear power plant is described. Discussed are the reactors and plant design, the accident chronology, and the dispersion of activity and its radiological consequences. The summary and conclusions show the design shortcomings and changes to be made. (50190)

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CIS 87-1374 Risk assessment: controlling hazardous materials. Heising C.D., Journal of Hazardous Materials, May 1987, Vol.15, No.1-2, p.123-135. Illus. 19 ref. (In English)

Recent events such as the Bhopal chemical plant accident in India and the Chernobyl nuclear plant accident in the USSR have demonstrated that technologies have the potential to release hazardous materials to the environment with catastrophic consequences. This paper discusses probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) and suggests that this methodology can be useful in the regulatory arena. This conclusion is based both on previous experience (e.g. the Reactor Safety Study) and growing interest in the methodology from many different sectors, including regulatory agencies such as EPA, NASA, OSHA, and NRC, the military, in addition to the private sector, such as insurance companies. Since human error is a major contributor to accident risk in large technologies, this paper also discusses at some length how such error may be quantified in risk assessments, as well as how risk may be reduced through improved management practices. Finally, regulatory developments in this area, and future directions for change, are also highlighted. (48716)

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CIS 86-1737 The accident at Chernobyl and the medical response. Geiger H.J., Journal of the American Medical Association, 1 Aug. 1986, Vol.256, No.5, p.609-612. 11 ref. (In English)

Presentation of the facts surrounding the explosion and fire at the Chernobyl nuclear plant (Ukrainian SSR, USSR) on 26 April 1986. Coverage: circumstances of the accident (starting with a steam explosion that killed 2 workers); the initial medical response; medical care of patients who had been severely exposed (bone marrow transplants); studies of 6 sample clinical cases (all of them alive 39 days after the explosion); evacuation of neighbouring populations; plans for long-term epidemiologic follow-up. (46904)

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