Radiation exposure in a region with natural high background radiation originated from rare earth element deposits at Bat Xat district, Vietnam

Dũng, Nguyễn Văn; Thuan, Dao Dinh; Nhan, Dang Duc; Carvalho, Fernando P.; Thang, Duong Van; Quang, Nguyen Hao

doi:10.1007/s00411-022-00971-9

Cited by 7 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 28 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, REE deposits are known as radioactive materials that occur naturally, containing a significant amount of uranium ( 238 U) and thorium ( 232 Th) radionuclides [ 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Activity concentrations of uranium and thorium in REEs-bearing minerals may reach up to 50,000 Bq/kg and 350,000 Bq/kg, respectively [ 15 , 18 ]. Extraction of REEs from these minerals may expose workers to gamma radiation and dust inhalation, which eventually might have a negative impact on people’s health [ 18 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Spatial Variability of Rare Earth Elements in Groundwater in the Vicinity of a Coal-Fired Power Plant and Associated Health Risk

Vesković,

Lučić,

Ristić

et al. 2024

Toxics

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study investigated the occurrence and distribution of rare earth elements (REEs), including 14 lanthanoids, scandium (Sc), and yttrium (Y), in groundwater around a large coal-fired thermal power plant (TPP). The ICP-MS technique was used to analyze 16 REEs in groundwater samples collected from monitoring wells. REE concentrations ranged from 59.9 to 758 ng/L, with an average of 290 ng/L. The most abundant was Sc, followed by La, accounting for 54.2% and 21.4% of the total REE concentration, respectively. Geospatial analysis revealed the REE enrichment at several hotspots near the TPP. The highest REE concentrations were observed near the TPP and ash landfill, decreasing with the distance from the plant and the landfill. REE fractionation ratios and anomalies suggested the Light REE dominance, comprising over 78% of the total REEs. Correlation and principal component analyses indicated similar behavior and sources for most REEs. Health risk assessment found hazard indices (HI) of 1.36 × 10−3 and 1.98 × 10−3 for adults and children, respectively, which are far below the permissible limit (HI = 1). Likewise, incremental lifetime cancer risks (ILCR) were all below 1 × 10−6. Nevertheless, ongoing ash disposal and potential accumulation in the environment could elevate the REE exposure over time.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial Variability of Rare Earth Elements in Groundwater in the Vicinity of a Coal-Fired Power Plant and Associated Health Risk

Vesković,

Lučić,

Ristić

et al. 2024

Toxics

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The earth’s crust contains various concentrations of the radioactive elements 238 U, 232 Th, and 40 K, which are all naturally occurring (Carvalho and Oliveira 2006 ; Gupta and Walther 2019 ). Phosphate ore, the raw material used to manufacture phosphate fertilizers, can contain naturally occurring radioactive elements such as uranium ( 238 U, T 1/2 = 4.47 × 10 9 a), thorium ( 232 Th, T 1/2 = 14.05 × 10 9 a), and potassium ( 40 K, T 1/2 = 1.25 × 10 9 a) in increased concentrations depending on the origin and type of rock and fertilizer manufacturing procedure, but often in concentrations that can be considered elevated (IAEA 2013 , 2018 ; Haneklaus 2021 ; Van Dung et al 2022 ). The application of phosphate fertilizers can thus be a major source of radionuclides and heavy metals added to agricultural soils (Haneklaus et al 2017 ; De Souza Braz et al 2021 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of phosphate fertilizers on the radioactivity of agricultural soils and tobacco plants in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda

Mwalongo

Haneklaus

Carvalho

et al. 2023

Environ Sci Pollut Res

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Three brands of NPK fertilizers that contain variable concentrations of natural radioactivity are commonly used in tobacco plantations in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Tobacco plants are known for hyper-accumulation of natural radionuclides, particularly 238U. This study investigated if the elevated radioactivity in phosphate fertilizers could enhance radioactivity in soils and tobacco plant leaves. The 232Th, 238U, and 40K radionuclide levels in NPK-fertilized soils and tobacco leaves were measured using gamma-ray spectroscopy. The research included a one-year reference experiment with tobacco growing in plots, a ten-year semi-controlled experiment in well-managed tobacco farms, and a field survey of radioactivity in soils and tobacco leaves at three traditional tobacco fields in Migori (Kenya), Urambo (Tanzania), and Kanungu (Uganda). The findings demonstrated that soils and tobacco leaves exposed to NPK fertilizers with increased radioactivity had activity concentrations of 232Th, 238U, and 40K that were considerably higher (at all sites) than in the control samples (with no use of NPK fertilizers). As the continued application of NPK fertilizers raises concentrations of 232Th, 238U, and 40K in agricultural soils, the study assessed radiological risks for humans from exposure to agricultural soils enriched with phosphate fertilizers, and it was found to be below the exposure limit of 1 mSvy-1 suggested by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). However, tobacco consumers, both by snuffing and smoking, may face significant radiological risks, as the snuffing and smoking resulted in effective doses that were 2.41 to 6.53 and 1.14 to 2.45 times greater than the average yearly dose that the general public receives from inhalation of natural radionuclides (United Nations Scientific Committee on Atomic Radiations estimates). Furthermore, the results indicate that the lifetime excess cancer risk for tobacco snuffers and smokers ranged from 5 × 10-5 to 24.48 × 10-3 and 2.0 × 10-5 to 9.18 × 10-3, respectively. The influence of phosphorus-derived fertilizer containing relatively high natural radioactivity, potential human radiation exposure, and radiological risk due to gamma radionuclides is estimated and discussed. The results reveal that applying phosphate fertilizers enhances natural radioactivity in soil and is subsequently influenced by soil to tobacco plant uptake. Therefore, the study recommends that countries use fertilizers with lower radionuclide content to conserve soil quality and reduce gamma-emitting radionuclides in tobacco plants.

show abstract

“…Nam Xe and Dong Pao from Lai Chau are over the Fa Si Pan Granite formation [39], and while Muong Hum from Lao Cai is over a Paleozolic magmatic rock formation, that is partially covered by thin bedded limestone, clayey limestone, clay shale and calcareous sandstone [40]. Yen Phu from Yen Bai lies over a Quaternary sedimentary rock formation, however due to the vicinity of the Red River fault the aquifer includes areas influenced by magmatic activity [39].…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal 222Rn activity in spring water close to rare earth element and uranium mines in North Vietnam

Duong

Nguyễn³

et al. 2023

J Radioanal Nucl Chem

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract222Rn is among the most important issues for radiation exposure in/near high background radiation areas such as near rare-earth-element (REE) and uranium mines in North Vietnam. Seasonal 222Rn activity concentration in spring water was determined by RAD-7, with average ranges of 1270 ± 60–66,400 ± 2630 Bq m−3, therein the highest value was a REE, and the lowest a uranium mine. The 222Rn activity concentration was higher in the dry season, which could be attributed to 222Rn leaching to spring waters from nearby mines, and lower in the rainy season due to dilution by rain water. The 222Rn annual effective doses were within permissible limits.

show abstract

Radiation exposure in a region with natural high background radiation originated from rare earth element deposits at Bat Xat district, Vietnam

Cited by 7 publications

References 28 publications

Spatial Variability of Rare Earth Elements in Groundwater in the Vicinity of a Coal-Fired Power Plant and Associated Health Risk

Spatial Variability of Rare Earth Elements in Groundwater in the Vicinity of a Coal-Fired Power Plant and Associated Health Risk

Influence of phosphate fertilizers on the radioactivity of agricultural soils and tobacco plants in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda

Seasonal 222Rn activity in spring water close to rare earth element and uranium mines in North Vietnam

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About