Gross Alpha and Beta Activities and Related Lifetime Risks Assessment Due to Ingestion of Drinking Water from Different Sources in the District of Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire

Drinking good quality water is essential for better health. It is therefore essential to assess the radiological quality of all water consumed in the District of Abidjan in order to prevent related hazards. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the risk of cancer due to the ingestion of alpha and beta emitting radionuclides in the different types of water consumed in the region. A total of 63 water samples with 43 tap water samples, 5 bottled mineral water and 15 sachet water samples was collected and taken to GAEC laboratory for analysis. The low background Gas-less Automatic Alpha/Beta counting system (Canberra iMaticTM) was used to determine alpha and beta activity concentrations. Activity concentrations of both gross alpha and gross beta obtained in water sample were respectively lower than the WHO recommended limits of 0.1 Bq/l and 1 Bq/l. Also, the annual effective dose and total equivalent effective dose found in mineral bottled water samples were higher than in other types of water. The assessment of radiological lifetime risk has shown values of cancer risk due to ingestion alpha and beta emitters lower than recommended limit. These results indicate that there is no health hazard associated to consumption of water in the District of Abidjan.

Natural Radioactivity and Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk Associated with Soil in Kargi Area, Marsabit-Kenya

The main aim of investigating activity concentrations together with distribution of radionuclides naturally in soil from Kargi was to evaluate radiological health hazard together with environmental radioactivity. Research shows radionuclides as one source of exposure due to radiation with detrimental effects health wise for populations found in areas considered high background radiation. After collecting 117 soil samples from the area, analysis was done in order to measure their natural radioactivities due to 40K, 232Th and 226Ra radionuclides. Measurements method of gamma spectrometry employing a high purity germanium (HPGe) detector was employed basically to evaluate the radiological hazard of radioactivities. For 40K, 232Th and 226Ra, mean calculated activities were 353.19 ± 110.07, 7.98 ± 3.98 and 7.37 ± 2.60 Bq·kg -1 respectively. Mean values of absorbed and effective dose rates, external and internal hazard indices together with radium equivalent activity were 23.82 ± 6.59 nGy·h -1 and 0.14 ± 0.04 mSv·y -1, 0.12 ± 0.03 and 0.14 ± 0.04 and 45.90 ± 12.65 Bq·kg -1 respectively. Comparing with approved global values, the values were found to be below the given global limits. Evidence of involvement of metasomatic activity of the radioelements or fractionation during weathering is seen as calculations give a higher value Th/U. Excess cancer risk, calculated from the samples showed lower values as compared to global standard values hence minimal chance of getting cancer disease. The area is safe from cancer causing radionuclides.

Investigation of the Radiological Risk of Farmlands and the Transfer Factor from Soil to Crops in Jalingo and Wukari L.G.A of Taraba State, Nigeria

The activity concentrations of radionuclides, absorbed dose rate, excess lifetime cancer risk, and soil-to-plant transfer factor have been evaluated in soil and crop samples from Jalingo and Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State, Nigeria. The activity concentrations were determined with the aid of High Purity Germanium detector. The absorbed dose and excess lifetime cancer risk were evaluated and forecasted for 60 years using the ResRad off-site model. The average activity concentration of 40K, 232Th, and 238U in the soil samples were 633.13, 141.15, and 71.20 Bq·kg-1 respectively, for the Jalingo study area, and while that of the Wukari study area was;199.21, 87.23, and 25.37 Bq·kg-1 respectively. The average soil-to-plant transfer factors for 40K, 232Th, and 238U were 0.51, 0.10, and 0.27 respectively for the Jalingo study area while that of Wukari are 0.40, 0.57, and 0.74 respectively. The mean annual effective dose equivalent for the study area is higher than the world average of 0.07 mS·vy-1. The excess lifetime cancer risk for the study areas has values that are higher than the safety limit. The ResRed model showed that direct radiation from the crops is the major contributor to excess cancer risk among other pathways. The radiological hazard indices reveal health risks to farmers, especially in the Jalingo area.

Toxicity of Radon-222 in Groundwater across Keana in Nasarawa,Nigeria

The most common supply of freshwater for drinking,irrigation,and other domestic uses is groundwater;however,because of increased radon concentrations brought on by mining activities,its quality is still a severe concern.Using a liquid scintillation detector,this study investigated the radon content,its related toxicity,and its risk to human health in the groundwater of the Keana in Nasarawa,Nigeria.Ten(10)borehole samples and five(5)well samples totaling fif­teen(15)groundwater samples were taken.The results showed that the average radon concentration in water samples from Keana was 2.25 Bq/L.The mean annual effective dosage(ingestion)for adults and children in Keana was 0.016 mSv/y and 0.027 mSv/y,respectively.In Keana,the additional lifetime cancer risk per adult was 5.65×10^(-5),and per child,it was 8.79×10^(-5).The study’s radon concentration was lower than the benchmark of 11.1 Bq/L established in 1991 by the Nigerian Standard Organization and the US Environmental Protection Agency.The results of this study indicate that the level of radon is safe;as a result,people can continue farming and other activities.To reduce the risk of cancer,however,more research could be done in the area.Further research should be done by looking at additional sources in the study area in order to cover the entire zone.Further investigation should be carried out both during the dry and wet seasons because radon concentrations in groundwater alter over time due to dilution by recharge from rainfall.

Prevalence and predictors of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in South Asian women with polycystic ovary syndrome

BACKGROUND Polycystic ovary disease(PCOS)may be a risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)due to common pathogenetic pathways,including insulin resistance and obesity.Both PCOS and NAFLD are more severe in South Asian women.Data on NAFLD in South Asian women with PCOS are lacking.AIM To investigate prevalence and predictors of NAFLD and liver fibrosis in PCOS patients from South Asia.METHODS We conducted an observational routine screening program by means of transient elastography(TE)with associated controlled attenuation parameter(CAP).NAFLD was defined as CAP≥288 decibels per meter.Significant liver fibrosis(stage 2 and higher out of 4)was defined as TE measurement≥8.0 kilopascals.Elevated alanine aminotransferase(ALT)was defined as ALT>24 IU/L,as per upper limit of normal reported in South Asian women.Biochemical hyperandrogenism was defined as free androgen index>5.Predictors of NAFLD were determined by logistic regression analysis.RESULTS 101 PCOS patients(mean age 36.3 years)with no significant alcohol intake or viral hepatitis were included.Prevalence of NAFLD and significant liver fibrosis was 39.6% and 6.9%,respectively.Elevated ALT was observed in 40%and 11.5%of patients with and without NAFLD,respectively.After adjusting for duration of PCOS and insulin resistance measured by homeostasis model for assessment of insulin resistance,independent predictors of NAFLD were higher body mass index[adjusted odds ratio(aOR)1.30,95% confidence interval(CI):1.13-1.52],hyperandrogenism(aOR:5.32,95%CI:1.56-18.17)and elevated ALT(aOR:3.54,95%CI:1.10-11.47).Lifetime cardiovascular risk was higher in patients with NAFLD compared to those without NAFLD(0.31±0.11 vs 0.26±0.13).CONCLUSION Despite their young age,NAFLD diagnosed by TE with CAP is a frequent comorbidity in South Asian women with PCOS and is strongly associated with higher body mass index and hyperandrogenism.Non-invasive screening strategies could help early diagnosis and initiation of interventions,including counselling on weight loss,cardiovascular risk stratification and linkage to hepatology care where appropriate.

Health Effects of Radiation Exposure to Human Sensitive Organs across Some Selected Mining Sites of Plateau State,Nigeria

The association of radiation with matter,being it from external means(i.e.external sources)or from internal pollution of the body by toxic substances,can pose biological hazard which may show the clinical symptoms later.The nature and extent of these symptoms and the time they take to appear are a function of the amount of radiation absorbed and the rate at which it is received.This study aimed at assessing the health effects of radiation exposure to human sensitive organs across some selected mining sites of Plateau State Nigeria.Finding of this study have revealed that the mean Dorgan values for the lungs,ovaries,bone marrow,testes,kidney,liver and whole body for different mining points of Plateau State are 0.29 mSv/y,0.26 mSv/y,0.31 mSv/y,0.36 mSv/y,0.28 mSv/y,0.21 mSv/y and 0.30 mSv/y respectively.From the findings presented,it can be concluded that the background radiation in Plateau State is not an issue of health concern in regards to sensitive organs and may not course immediate health effect except when accumulated over long period of time which may cause cancer to the indoor members on approximately seventy years of exposure.

Biochar reduces uptake and accumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) in winter wheat on a PAH-contaminated soil

For years, biochar has been successfully used for the remediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) in contaminated soils, not only for improving their removal from soil but also for reducing their uptake by crops. However, the underlying mechanism of biochar application reducing PAH uptake and accumulation in winter wheat remains unclear. Pot trials were conducted on a PAH-contaminated soil amended with bamboo biochar, coconut shell biochar,and maize straw biochar(MSB) for an entire growth period of winter wheat. Compared with no biochar control(CK), application of the three types of biochar significantly(P < 0.01) reduced grain PAH concentration, total equivalent concentration(TEC), and incremental lifetime cancer risk(ILCR), indicating that biochar application, especially MSB, reduced the risk of exposure to PAHs in wheat grain. Furthermore, all three types of biochar significantly(P < 0.05)reduced PAH uptake and accumulation in wheat roots and stems, probably because biochar application enhanced the degradation of PAHs in the rhizosphere soil. Compared with CK, application of the three types of biochar significantly(P < 0.05) reduced the concentration of PAHs in the rhizosphere soil by15.9%–33.7%. It was found that the degradation rate of high-molecular-weight(HMW) PAHs(5-and 6-ring PAHs) was significantly(P < 0.05) higher than that of low-molecular-weight(LMW) PAHs(2–4-ring PAHs) regardless of the type of biochar used. Additionally, all three types of biochar significantly increased the relative abundance of the dominant bacterial phyla and genera in soil. Redundancy and correlation analyses also showed that there was a strong correlation between the removal rate of PAHs and dominant bacteria in the rhizosphere soil. This study indicated that biochar effectively reduced the health risk from dietary exposure to PAHs in wheat grains by increasing the abundance of bacteria related to PAH degradation, promoting the biodegradation of PAHs in the rhizosphere soil, and consequently reducing PAH uptake by wheat.

Fate of PM2.5-bound PAHs in Xiangyang, central China during 2018 Chinese spring festival: Influence of fireworks burning and air-mass transport

Variations of levels,possible source and air mass transmission were investigated for 16 USEPA priority-controlled PAHs in PM2.5 during 2018 Chinese Spring Festival(CSF)in Xiangyang City,central China which is the North-South pollutant airmass transport channel of China.Totally 37 samples were collected.Mass concentrations of 16 PAHs for the Pre–CSF day(Pre–CSFD),during the CSF day(CSFD)and after the CSF day(Af–CSFD)are 33.78±17.68 ng/m3,22.98±6.49 ng/m3,and 8.99±4.44 ng/m3,respectively.High resolution samples showed that 16 PAHs are higher in the morning(06:00–11:00)or afternoon(11:30–16:30),than those in the evening(17:00–22:00)and at night(22:30–05:30),whereas the result is reversed during the CSFD.Fireworks burning can obviously increase the mass concentration of PAHs.Air mass trajectory indicated that Xiangyang is a sink area of pollutants for northwest and southeast,and the sources of the northeast and southwest.The air mass only can be transmitted out through northeast and southwest.It is effective for improvement of air quality in Wuhan and Hunan to control fireworks emission in Henan and local areas.Fireworks burning was an important source for PAHs during CSFD,biomass,coal combustion,and traffic emission were the main sources of PAHs for Pre–CSFD and Af–CSFD periods.The health risk on the CSFD was higher than the acceptable levels,especially during the intensive fireworks burning,the risk value far exceed 1.0×10^-4,controlling burning fireworks is required.