Abstract Recent years have witnessed more attention paid to the health effects of the natural radionuclide 226Ra, and a series of research carried out on the detection methods of 226Ra at home and abroad. The common 226Ra detection methods are emanation scintillation, gamma spectrometry, liquid scintillation counting, alpha spectrometry and alpha counting. Emanation scintillation is mature enough as a classical method, while gamma spectrometry and liquid scintillation counting proceed fast. Due to the radiation of 226Ra, these detection methods still have the problems such as the requirement for large samples, long detection periods, complicated steps, high detection limits and low recovery rates. This paper reviews the five methods above and summarize their advantages and disadvantages, so as to provide the reference for selecting and optimizing the detection methods for different samples as well as perfecting the standard method in China.

Objective: To quantitatively compare five occupational health risk assessment models in assessing silica dust hazard risk in small open pits, so as to provide the reference for the research of occupational health risk assessment methodology Methods : Seven small open pits were selected as the evaluation sites. The models from Singapore, the United Kingdom's Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Essentials ( COSHH Essentials ), Australia, Romania, and the International Council on Mining and Metals ( ICMM ) were applied to assessing the occupational health risk of the workers exposed to silica dust. The risk ratios ( RRs ) were calculated, and the parallelism, accuracy and correlation of the evaluation results of the five models were compared. Results : The RRs of the Singaporean model, COSHH model, Romanian model, Australian model and ICMM model were 0.8, 1.0, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8, respectively. The Singaporean model and the Australian model were able to distinguish transport drivers from sprinkler drivers in the health risk exposed to silica dust, which was consistent with the actual risk of the two posts. Except for COSHH model, the RRs of the other four models were positively correlated ( P<0.05 ); the RRs were all positively correlated with concentration ratios ( CRs ) ( P<0.05 ), and the correlation coefficient between RRs and CRs of the Singaporean model was the largest (0.801). Conclusion Among the five models, the Singaporean model can more accurately evaluate the hazard risk of silica dust in posts of open pits, and has a good correlation with the other models.

Objective To establish a rapid,high-efficiency and clean way to monitor and pretreat the radioactivity in foods.Methods Food samples,20 kg each of cabbage,crucian,shrimp,pork and 20 L of milk,were collected around Qinshan nuclear power plant,totaling 10 samples for each food.Each type of foods was arranged in two groups each with 10 samples.Samples were pretreated using traditional ashing method (TAM) and microwave ashing method (WAM) separately.HDEHP were used for 90Sr separation and measurement.Calculations were made for the time spent on food pretreatment.The ash-fresh ratio and the recovery rate of 90Sr by the two different method were calculated,with the quality of ash being evaluated.Results The mean time spent on pretreatment was cabbage 20 h,crucian 54 h,shrimp 46 h,pork 58 h and milk 74 h for TAM group,and cabbage 8.5 h,crucian 26 h,shrimp 23 h,pork 26 h and milk 30 h for WAM group,respectively.The time spent by WAM was half the time less than by TAM,especially for animal edible product.The ash-fresh ratios from WAM group were higher than from TAM group.The recovery rates of 90Sr from WAM group in the analytical process were all above 75％,higher than from TAM group.Ashes produced by WAM were hoary,uniform,carbon residue-free and fully ashed.Conclusions WAM pretreatment can pretreat food rapidly,efficiently,cleanly with less loss and better ashing effect.These can meet the requirement of rapid pretreatment of radioactivity in food.

Objective:To investigate the levels of gross radioactivity in drinking water and of 90Sr in food around Sanmen nuclear power plant (NPP) before and after operation. Methods:From 2012 to 2019, 7 drinking water monitoring sites were selected around the Sanmen NPP to collect source water, factory water and peripheral water, respectively, in order to measure and analyze the total radioactivity level in drinking water. Based on the dietary habits of local residents, 4 kinds of food such as grains, vegetables, freshwater fish and marine fish grown locally were sampled to measure and analyze the activity concentration of 90Sr. Results:Before the operation of Sanmen NPP, the total α radioactivity and total β radioactivity in drinking water around the NPP were 0.001-0.063 Bq/L and 0.019-0.210 Bq/L, respectively. After operation, the total α radioactivity and total β radioactivity were 0.001-0.084 Bq/L and 0.025-0.079 Bq/L, respectively. Both were lower than the national standard value given in the GB 5749-2006 " Sanitary standards for drinking water" . There was no significant change in the radioactivity level of source water, factory water and peripheral water during the wet and dry periods. The activity concentration of 90Sr in these four types of food ranged from 0.037 to 1.216 Bq/kg before operation and from 0.049 to 0.692 Bq/kg after operation, all lower than the standard value of " Standard for the concentration in radioactive substances in food" (GB 14882-94). Conclusions:Before and after the operation of Sanmen NPP, the total α and total β radioactivity in drinking water and 90Sr activity concentration in food are stable, below the national standard limit.

Objective:To investigate and analyze the radioactivity level of 90Sr in offshore seawater and seafood therein around Sanmen nuclear power plant (NPP) and to estimate the annual committed effective dose to local population from ingestion of 90Sr in seafood from 2015 to 2019. Methods:From 2015 to 2019, the offshore seawater and 3 kinds of marine products grown locally in Sanmen and consumed by local residents were collected for measurement of the level of 90Sr radioactivity. The committed effective doses to the local population were estimated based on monitoring result and consumption data on seafood in Zhejiang offshore. Results:The radioactivity concentrations of 90Sr ranged from 2.4 to 4.1 mBq/L in the seawater, close to the natural radioacrive background level and from 6.7×10 -2 to 1.3 Bq/kg in seafood, lower than the standard values specified in the "Limited concentrations of radioactive materials in foods" (GB 14882-94). Annual committed effective dose to the local population from 90Sr attributable to consumption of seafood in Sanmen County from 2015 to 2019 were 2.2×10 -4-4.2×10 -4mSv, respectively, far lower than the worldwide committed effective dose result ing from internal exposure. Conclusions:From 2015 to 2019, the radioactivity concentration of 90Sr in seawater and seafood are stable, with neglectable dose burden to the local population.

Objective:To investigate and analyze the radioactivity levels of 90Sr and 137Cs in drinking water and 137Cs in food after the installation of the first AP1000 nuclear power unit in China. Methods:From 2012 to 2019, four drinking water monitoring points around AP1000 nuclear power unit located at Sanmen nuclear power plant site were collected during the wet season and dry season, 90Sr and 137Cs and radioactivity concentrations were determined in drinking water. Local rice, cabbage, crucian and mullet were collected to determine the radioactivity concentration of 137Cs. Results:From 2012 to 2019, the radioactivity concentrations of 90Sr and 137Cs in drinking water were 1.2-9.8 mBq/L and 0.2-8.1 mBq/L, respectively. The radioactivity concentration of 137Cs in food were 1.1×10 -2-2.8×10 -1 Bq/kg, lower than the limits specified in the Limited concentrations of radioactive materials in foods (GB 14882-94). Conclusions:After the installation of the first AP1000 nuclear power unit in China, the radioactivity levels of 90Sr and 137Cs in drinking water and 137Cs in foods are stable, without environmental impact identified.

Objective:To investigate the levels of gross radioactivity in drinking water in Hangzhou city before and after Qiandao Lake as the water source to the main urban area of Hangzhou.Methods:Since 2012, water samples were collected from water source, factory water and peripheral water in rainy and dry seasons, respectively, to determine their gross α and β activity concentrations for comparison and analysis.Results:The gross radioactivity levels in drinking water in Hangzhou are lower than the limits specified in the national standard "Standards for drinking water quality" (GB 5749-2006), without statistically significant difference for these water sources between the rainy and dry season ( P>0.05). The gross α(0.008±0.000)and gross β(0.034±0.013)levels in Qiandao lake were both less than those in Qiantang river ( Z=-3.235, -4.058, P<0.05), with significant difference ( Z=-2.181, -4.577, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in gross α and gross β in factory water and peripheral water before and after the operation of Qiandao Lake water supply project ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The gross radioactivity in drinking water in downtown Hangzhou are low from 2012 to 2020. The gross radioactivity levels in Qiandao Lake are lower than in the lower reaches of Qiantang river and Dongtiao steam. No impact was generated on radioactivity levels in drinking water after Qiandao lake supplied water to Hangzhou.

Objective:To investigate the activity concentrations of 90Sr and 137Cs in water in Hangzhou urban area. Methods:From 2012 to 2020, Qiantang River water as an important drinking water source, tap water as direct drinking water for residents, and West Lake water in tourists crowded area were selected forwater quality monitoring with respect to conctnts of 90Sr and 137Cs. The activity concentrations of 90Sr and 137Cs in water samples, as collected in wet and dry seasons resepectively, were determined by radiochemical analysis, with the 137Cs to 90Sr activity ratios obtained. Results:From 2012 to 2020, the activity concentrations of 90Sr and 137Cs in tap water were (2.0±1.1) - (7.4±0.4) mBq/L and (0.45±0.06) - (7.1±0.6) mBq/L, respectively. The 137Cs to 90Sr activity ratios ranged from 0.07 to 2.40. The activity concentrations of 90Sr and 137Cs in Qiantang River were (3.7±1.1) - (17.0±4.4) mBq/L and (0.28±0.01) - (15.0±4.5) mBq/L, respectively. The 137Cs to 90Sr activity ratios ranged from 0.03 to 0.90. The activity concentrations of 90Sr and 137Cs in West Lake water were (2.2±0.5) - (11.0±2.0) mBq/L and (0.32±0.04) - (7.9±1.9) mBq/L, respectively. The 137Cs to 90Sr activity ratios ranged from 0.05 to 1.20. Conclusions:The activity concentrations of 90Sr and 137Cs in water in Hangzhou urban area were at the background levels, lower than the concentration limits, 10 Bq/L both for 90Sr and 137Cs recommended by WHO in the 4 th edition of Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality.

Objective:To investigate and analyze the level of the gross radioactivity, and its variation trend, in surrounding drinking water since the second phase expansion project at Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant was officially put into operation.Methods:From 2010 to 2022, the source water, factory water and tap water within 30 km of Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant were collected in the flood season (May) and dry period (October) every year. The total α and total β radioactivity concentrations in drinking water was measured and analyzed. The levels of total radioactivity in drinking water around different nuclear power plants in China and around non-nuclear power plant areas was compared.Results:The mean radioactivity concentrations of total α and total β were (0.021±0.019) and (0.204±0.058) Bq/L in source water, (0.010±0.005) and (0.185±0.056) Bq/L in factory water , and (0.012±0.007) and (0.170±0.058) Bq/L in tap water, respectively, all lower than the limits stipulated in the Sanitary Standards for Drinking Water. There were no significant differences in the monitoring result of betweem the three types of water samples both in the flood and dry periods ( P> 0.05). The total radioactivity level in drinking water around Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant site was close to that in drinking water around different nuclear power plants in China and around areas without nuclear power plants. Conclusions:Following the second phase of the expansion project officially being put into operation, the total α and β radioactivity level in drinking water around the Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant has been in a stable trend and lower than the guidance level given in national standard.

Objective:To investigate the data on death cause of residents around Sanmen nuclear power plant from 2015 to 2019.Methods:The data on death cause of residents in Sanmen county from 2015 to 2019 were collected, and the top 10 diseases in death causes ranking and radiation-related malignant tumors were analyzed.Results:The average mortality rate of residents in Sanmen county was 575.87 per 100 000 population from 2015 to 2019, lower than the national level and close to that in Zhejiang Province. The top 10 death causes remain unchanged, higher than 95.79% of total deaths. The mortality rate of malignant tumor increased from 159.23 per 100 000 population in 2015 to 191.51 per 100 000 population in 2019 (χ 2=15.889, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the proportion of mortality from radiation-related tumor(leukemia and thyroid cancer) in Sanmen county in recent 5 years ( P>0.05). Conclusions:From 2015 to 2019, the death rates of residents in Sanmen county were relatively stable. The effects of the operation of the nuclear power plant on the health of the local residents need to be continuously monitored.