Radioactive Risk for Humans - Jean-Claude Amiard

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Auteur(s) : Jean-Claude Amiard - Jean-Claude Zerbib

Editeur : Wiley

Langue : Anglais

Parution : 01/11/2024

Format : Moyen, de 350g à 1kg

Nombre de pages : 368.0

ISBN : 9781786308849

Résumé :

Once scientists discovered radioactivity, they soon recognized its dangers. However, the assessment of radioactive risk to humans is still the subject of heated debate.

In this book, the authors present a summary of past and recent scientific work on estimating radioactivity in the anthroposphere and the radioactive contamination of human beings. They describe the various sources of exposure to ionizing radiation (external, internal and dietary) and estimate the irradiation doses suffered by humans under various conditions (both naturally occurring for the general public and professionals, and from accidents). The harmful effects of ionizing radiation at various biological levels (molecular, cellular and tissue) and health effects at the individual level are also discussed.

Particular focus will be placed on radiation-induced occupational illnesses. The relationship between doses of ionizing radiation and its harmful effects is discussed with reference to high, medium and low doses. The controversies on this subject are outlined, and international and French regulatory values are provided. Finally, an estimate of the radioactive risk for humans is suggested.

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Biographie:

Jean-Claude Amiard is a Doctor of Science (State) in radioecology, Director of Research Emeritus at the CNRS (University of Nantes, France) and former Associate Professor in Quebec and China. He is the author of more than 250 publications, 80 books/chapters and 150 communications at international conferences.

Jean-Claude Zerbib is an experienced radiation protection engineer. He has managed a laboratory specializing in nuclear analysis and the radiation protection of accelerators. He has also overseen radioactive waste management and measurement and site decontamination. He is the author of more than 140 publications.

Sommaire:

Preface xiii

Acronyms and Abbreviations xxiii

Introduction xxxi

Chapter 1 Radioactive Danger 1

1.1 Introduction 1

1.2 Radionuclides and radioelements 4

1.3 Radionuclide-related dangers 5

1.4 Elements of nuclear physics 6

1.4.1 Nuclear structure 7

1.4.2 Electrons 9

1.4.3 Stability of the atomic nucleus and nuclear reactions 10

1.4.4 Various types of ionizing radiation 12

1.4.5 Radiation properties 21

1.5 References 22

Chapter 2 Radioactive Contamination of the Anthroposphere 25

2.1 Introduction 25

2.2 Sources of radioactive contamination of the anthroposphere 26

2.3 Natural radioactive contamination of the anthroposphere 28

2.3.1 Natural contamination of physical environments 29

2.3.2 Natural food contamination 31

2.3.3 Natural contamination of seafood 31

2.3.4 Natural contamination of buildings 32

2.4 Anthropogenic radioactive contamination 33

2.4.1 Anthropogenic radioactive contamination of the physical environment 33

2.4.2 Anthropogenic radioactive contamination of seafood products 35

2.4.3 Anthropogenic radioactive contamination of other foods 36

2.4.4 Radioactive contamination of polluted sites 36

2.5 Conclusions 39

2.6 References 40

Chapter 3 Human Exposure to Radionuclides 43

3.1 Introduction 43

3.2 Types of exposure to ionizing radiation 43

3.2.1 The distinction between irradiation and contamination 43

3.2.2 Multiple exposure pathways 45

3.3 External exposure pathways 45

3.3.1 External exposure from natural sources 46

3.3.2 External exposure of artificial origin 47

3.4 Internal exposure pathways 49

3.4.1 Radionuclide penetration routes (contamination) 49

3.4.2 Internal exposures of natural origin 50

3.4.3 Internal exposure of artificial origin 50

3.5 Conclusions 50

3.6 References 51

Chapter 4 Radioactive Contamination of Food and Trophic Transfer 53

4.1 Introduction 53

4.2 Transfer of radionuclides from food to humans 53

4.2.1 Human digestion 54

4.2.2 Distribution of radionuclides in foodstuffs 55

4.2.3 Bioaccessibility 55

4.2.4 Bioavailability 56

4.2.5 Absorption factors during ingestion 57

4.3 Transfers from the environment to animal products consumed by humans 57

4.3.1 Food transfer coefficients 57

4.3.2 The influence of product processing 60

4.4 Transfers from the environment to plant products consumed by humans 61

4.5 Transfer from drinking water to humans 63

4.6 Environmental monitoring of products consumed by humans 64

4.7 References 66

Chapter 5 Human Bioaccumulation of Radionuclides 71

5.1 Human bioaccumulation of radionuclides 71

5.1.1 Transmembrane passage 71

5.1.2 Epithelial and cerebral barriers 73

5.1.3 Body distribution 74

5.1.4 Molecular mechanisms 76

5.1.5 Bioaccumulation of natural radionuclides 76

5.1.6 Bioaccumulation of artificial radionuclides 78

5.2 Protecting people from radionuclides 85

5.2.1 The search for chemical radioprotectors 85

5.2.2 The use of potassium iodide tablets in the event of a nuclear accident 86

5.2.3 Short and extended containment 87

5.2.4 Radiation protection is all about prevention 87

5.3 Therapeutic removal of radionuclides from humans 87

5.4 Conclusions 89

5.5 References 90

Chapter 6 Estimates of Human Radiation Doses 97

6.1 Introduction: from exposure to dose 97

6.2 Expressing exposure 98

6.2.1 Absorbed...