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Is Polonium-210 a Good Indicator for Anthropogenic Radioactivity?
Ali Younes1, Cyrille Alliot2,3, Marcel Mokili4
11 Department of Chemistry, Hunter College of the City University of New York , New York, United States .
Cancer Biotherapy & Radiopharmaceuticals
|August 9, 2018
Summary
Polonium-210 (Po) in Lebanese cigarettes is 8.8 times higher than expected due to phosphate fertilizers. This radioactive element significantly contributes to the effective dose from smoking.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Radiochemistry
- Public Health
Background:
- Anthropogenic radioactivity from nuclear/chemical events releases significant materials into the environment.
- Polonium-210 (Po) is a highly toxic alpha emitter found at low environmental concentrations.
- Po assessment indicates anthropogenic radioactivity levels and contributes to human radiation dose.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess Polonium-210 (Po) concentration in Lebanese cigarettes.
- To determine the contribution of Po to the effective dose from smoking.
- To investigate the source of elevated Po levels in the Lebanese environment.
Main Methods:
- Radiochemical separation of Po.
- Spontaneous deposition of Po onto a copper disk.
- Alpha spectrometry for Po activity concentration measurement.
Main Results:
- Po concentration in Lebanese cigarettes was significantly higher (8.8 times).
- Elevated Po levels are attributed to excessive use of phosphate fertilizers in agriculture.
- Estimated individual committed effective dose from smoking is 219 ± 17 μSv/year.
Conclusions:
- Phosphate fertilizers are a significant source of environmental Po contamination.
- Cigarette smoking poses a considerable radiation dose due to Po.
- Environmental monitoring of Po can serve as an indicator of anthropogenic radioactivity.
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