Analysis of monitoring results for radioactivity levels in environmental and biological samples in Nanjing City, China, 2020-2024
10.13491/j.issn.1004-714X.2025.06.014
- VernacularTitle:2020—2024年南京市环境及生物样品中放射性水平监测结果分析
- Author:
Jie QI
1
;
Lei YUE
1
;
Qingqian YAN
1
;
Sheng YANG
1
;
Chunye LI
1
Author Information
1. Nanjing Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing 210003, China.
- Publication Type:OriginalArticles
- Keywords:
Gross alpha;
Gross beta;
Environmental medium;
Biological sample;
Cumulative dose
- From:
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health
2025;34(6):864-870
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To monitor the radioactivity levels in environmental media and food samples in Nanjing City, assess the safety risk levels in environmental and food samples, and promptly identify potential radioactive contamination. Methods The cumulative dose of environmental surface radiation and the gross alpha and gross beta activity concentrations in aerosols, sedimentary dust, drinking water, and food were measured, and the measurement results were statistically analyzed. Results From 2020 to 2024, the gross alpha and gross beta activity concentrations in both source water and treated water in Nanjing City were lower than the national limits for drinking water. The ranges of gross alpha and gross beta activity concentrations in the monitored aerosols were 0.0002-0.0042 Bq/m3 and 0.0001-0.0028 Bq/m3, respectively. The gross α and gross β activity concentrations in sedimentary dust were 0.024-0.244 Bq/m2·d and 0.100-0.716 Bq/m2·d, respectively. There were no significant differences in the annual concentrations of gross alpha and gross beta activity between aerosols and sedimentary dust (P > 0.05). The overall differences in gross alpha and gross beta activity concentrations among samples from different types of food were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Among all samples, the deoxidizer/desiccant had the highest concentrations of gross alpha and gross beta activity. In edible samples, the gross alpha activity concentration of tea was higher than those in other types of food, though all values were within the limits for radioactive substances in food. The gross beta activity concentration in milk powder was higher than those in other types of food. The quarterly environmental surface radiation dose in Nanjing City from 2020 to 2024 ranged from 0.19 to 0.54 mSv. The annual difference in cumulative dose was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusion The investigation established natural radioactive background data and baseline data in environmental and biological samples in Nanjing City over the past five years. Some samples showed increases in monitoring results. It is recommended to continue monitoring the gross alpha and gross beta activity concentrations and conduct gamma radionuclide testing.
