Study of Radon in dwellings - Case study in Moimenta da Beira (Poster)

Exposure to ionizing radiation causes changes in the cells of living organisms causing lung cancer. Radon is descended from uranium in rocks and soils and has a tendency to concentrate in enclosed spaces such as homes. This study aimed the evaluation of the radon concentration inside houses of the Moimenta da Beira. This was a study of the described correlational level II, and the type of cohort is transverse. The sample included 19 dwellings. The collection of data used is the passive type detectors LR-115 and also a questionnaire on the characteristics of the dwelling. It was concluded that the average radon concentration in-side houses of Moimenta da Beira (687,63 Bq/m3) shows values well above the legislated (400Bq/m3). Indicators as "building materials", "old", and “ventilation options", among others do not influence the levels of concentration, concluding that the type of existing soil is the main source of radon.

Radon Mapping -- Where's it hot or not? (Poster)

Full size poster (approximately 3'x4') portraying the EPA's Map and Radon Zones, the LBNL's radon map and state/county results maps. Maps would be compared and contrasted as to what information they do and don't convey. A matrix of data elements and how to obtain them would complement the maps.

Emerging Contaminant in Source Water from Medical Treatment: Iodine 131 (Poster)

Image: www.npr.org

With releases of radiation from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its partners increased its monitoring of drinking waters, air and other potential radionuclide exposure routes and a review of EPA’s historical RadNet database.  During this enhanced monitoring, elevated 131I concentrations were detected in surface waters used as source waters for two of the Philadelphia Water Department’s (PWD) drinking water plants.  Review of RadNet data identified episodes of detectable 131I in finished drinking water at the PWD’s three drinking water treatment plants since the late 1990s.  The PWD, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) and the US EPA initiated a robust monitoring program to determine the source of the 131I and to develop a better characterization of the levels and variability of source water 131I.   It was discovered that the source of the 131I probably came from excretion from thyroid cancer patients into two source waters. Besides monitoring, PWD partnered with the Philadelphia PSR to conduct research and in-person interviews of radiology staff of local hospitals and advocacy group to understand the medical uses of 131I and provide guidance to the PWD.  Although PWD did not exceeded the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for drinking water distributed to customers (the finished water is regulated, not the source water), no action has been required but a potential emerging contaminant has been identified and several new ideas have been generated to addressing this issue among health professionals.