• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.351-356
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• 2021

Korean nuclear power plants (NPPs) have various radiation protection programs to attain radiation exposure as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA). In terms of ALARA, this paper provides a comprehensive overview of administrative dose control for occupationally-exposed workers in Korean NPPs. In addition to dose limits, administrative dose constraints are implemented to resolve an inequity of radiation exposure in which some individuals in NPPs receive relatively higher doses than others. Occupational dose constraints in Korean NPPs are presented in this paper with the background of how those values were determined. For pressurized water reactors, 80% and 90% of the annual average limit for an effective dose, 20 mSv/y, are set as the primary and secondary dose constraints, respectively. Pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs) have also established the primary and secondary dose constraints corresponding to 70% and 80% of the effective dose limit, and additional constraints for tritium concentration are provided to control internal exposure in PHWRs. Follow-up measures for exceeding these administrative dose constraints are also introduced compared to exceeding the dose limits. Finally, analysis results of dose distributions show how the implementation of administrative dose constraints impacted the occupational dose distributions in Korean NPPs during the years 2009-2018.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.9
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• pp.1262-1268
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• 2012

The present investigation was designed to determine whether supplementation of different level of vitamin E for 12 months to arsenic exposed goats (50 ppm as sodium arsenite) affords protection against the blood hemato-biochemical parameters caused by the metalloid. A total of 24 crossbred (Alpine${\times}$Beetal) lactating goats were assigned randomly into 4 equal groups (control, $T_1$, $T_2$ and $T_3$) of 6 in each, on the basis of average body weight ($36.10{\pm}0.11$ kg) and milk yield ($1.61{\pm}0.04$ kg/d). The animals in $T_1$, $T_2$ and $T_3$ were given 50 ppm arsenic, while in $T_2$ and $T_3$, additionally; vitamin E at the rate of 100 IU and 150 IU/kg dry matter (DM) respectively was additionally supplemented for the period of 12 months. Hemoglobin (Hb), total leukocyte (TLC) and blood lymphocyte % were decreased (p<0.05) in arsenic fed groups and vitamin E supplementation in the experimental group showed a protective potential. Significant increases (p<0.05) in aspertate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) activities among arsenic supplemented groups were recorded, however vitamin E supplementation at higher doses showed a protective effect (p<0.05) against AST but in the case of ALT no ameliorating effect was found in either of the doses. Plasma total protein was decreased (p>0.05) but creatinine level was periodically increased in all As supplemented groups and vitamin E supplementation did not produce any protective effect. It can be concluded that arsenic exposure resulted in varying degree of changes in hemato-biochemical parameters and activities of antioxidant enzymes in goats but concomitant treatment with Vitamin E is partially helpful in reducing the burden of arsenic induced effect.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.31
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• pp.1.1-1.13
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• 2016

Objectives To investigate the accuracy and scientific validity of the current very low risk factor for hereditary diseases in humans following exposures to ionizing radiation adopted by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation and the International Commission on Radiological Protection. The value is based on experiments on mice due to reportedly absent effects in the Japanese atomic bomb (A-bomb) survivors. Methods To review the published evidence for heritable effects after ionising radiation exposures particularly, but not restricted to, populations exposed to contamination from the Chernobyl accident and from atmospheric nuclear test fallout. To make a compilation of findings about early deaths, congenital malformations, Down's syndrome, cancer and other genetic effects observed in humans after the exposure of the parents. To also examine more closely the evidence from the Japanese A-bomb epidemiology and discuss its scientific validity. Results Nearly all types of hereditary defects were found at doses as low as one to 10 mSv. We discuss the clash between the current risk model and these observations on the basis of biological mechanism and assumptions about linear relationships between dose and effect in neonatal and foetal epidemiology. The evidence supports a dose response relationship which is non-linear and is either biphasic or supralinear (hogs-back) and largely either saturates or falls above 10 mSv. Conclusions We conclude that the current risk model for heritable effects of radiation is unsafe. The dose response relationship is non-linear with the greatest effects at the lowest doses. Using Chernobyl data we derive an excess relative risk for all malformations of 1.0 per 10 mSv cumulative dose. The safety of the Japanese A-bomb epidemiology is argued to be both scientifically and philosophically questionable owing to errors in the choice of control groups, omission of internal exposure effects and assumptions about linear dose response.

• Korean Journal of Digital Imaging in Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2009

Far reducing medical radiation exposure and managing patient doses, Entrance surface doses(ESDs) were measured at Diagnostic Radiology Department in ASAN medical center, also we determined and compared with the Diagnostic Reference Level(DRL) of some other countries. ESDs were measured far the most common types of X-ray procedures, such as chest PA, lumbar spine AP, lumbar spine lateral, Pelvis AP, Skull PA. ESDs were measured by Glass dosimeter and Unfors Xi meter. Those were applied collimation center of phantom's entrance skin surface. The results of ESDs were compared Glass dosimeter with Unfors Xi meter. Those were measured within 5% statistical difference. It seemed well agreement at two devices. In most cases ESDs measured far the different types of X ray procedures were found to be lower than the DRL of IAEA, but ESDs on chest PA, lumbar spine AP, lumbar spine lateral, Pelvis AP, Skull PA were proximity ar excesses at DRL of advanced country. Through this study, we need an investigation and improvement at present diagnostic radiology exam system. Also, radiologists make an effort to reduce patient dose and having a technical skill.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.397-403
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• 2018

Mobile X-ray generators are used not in the radiation area but in open space, which causes the exposure of secondary radiation to the healthcare professionals, patients, guardians, etc., regardless of their intentions. This study aimed to investigate the shielding effect of the developed radiation restrictor to block the secondary radiation scattered during the use of mobile X-ray generator. Upon setting the condition of mobile X-ray generator with chest AP, spatial doses were measured by the existence of human equivalent phantom and radiation restrictor, and measured by the existences of phantom and radiation restrictor at the same length of 100 cm. Measurements were taken at intervals of 10 cm every $30^{\circ}$ from $-90^{\circ}$ (head direction) to $+90^{\circ}$ (body direction). Upon the study results, spatial doses in all direction were increased by 45% on average when using phantom in the same condition, however, they were decreased by 64% on average when using the developed radiation restrictor. The dose at 100 cm from the center of X-ray was $3.0{\pm}0.08{\mu}Gy$ without phantom and was increased by 40% with $4.2{\pm}0.08{\mu}Gy$ after phantom usage. The dose when using phantom and the developed radiation restrictor was $1.4{\pm}0.08{\mu}Gy$, which was decreased by 66% compared to the case without using them. Therefore, it is considered the scattered radiation can be shielded at 100-150 cm, the regulation of the distance between beds, effectively with the developed radiation restrictor when using mobile X-ray generators, which can lower the radiation exposure to the people nearby including healthcare professionals and patients.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.45-63
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• 2017

The oldest commercial reactor in South Korea, Kori-1 Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), will be shut down in 2017. Proper treatment for decommissioning wastes is one of the key factors to decommission a plant successfully. Particularly important is the recycling of clearance level or very low level radioactively contaminated metallic wastes, which contributes to waste minimization and the reduction of disposal volume. The aim of this study is to introduce a conceptual design of a recycle system and to evaluate the doses incurred through defined work flows. The various architecture diagrams were organized to define operational procedures and tasks. Potential exposure scenarios were selected in accordance with the recycle system, and the doses were evaluated with the RESRAD-RECYCLE computer code. By using this tool, the important scenarios and radionuclides as well as impacts of radionuclide characteristics and partitioning factors are analyzed. Moreover, dose analysis can be used to provide information on the necessary decontamination, radiation protection process, and allowable concentration limits for exposure scenarios.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.451-457
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• 2002

The purpose of the present experiment was to investigate the micronuclei (MN) frequency in cytokinesis-blocked (CB) cells after various doses of gamma-rays in two species (fish and fowl) and so to contribute to the clarification of the question whether these species are suitable as a target organism in the test system. The frequencies of binucleated cells, and gamma-ray-induced MN in CB cells at several doses were measured in three donors of two species. No binucleated cell was noted in erythrocyte. The peaks of binucleated lymphocyte formation were found at a concentration of 2% phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and $3{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ cytochalasin B (Cyt-B) in fish at 144 hours after incubation and 2% PHA and $6{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ Cyt-B in fowl at 72 hours after incubation. But the micronucleus counts failed to show any evidence of radiation damage. Measurements performed after irradiation showed a dose-related decrease in the formation of binucleated cells in each of the donors studied. Results indicated that the assays were not suitable for this due to blastization inhibition (binucleation failure) after irradiation. We concluded that the use of CB cell from fish and fowl for detecting the results of mdiation exposure was highly questionable.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.75-88
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• 2019

Diagnostic reference level (DRL) is employed to optimize the radiation doses of patients. The objective of this study is to review the DRLs for interventional procedures in Korea and abroad. Literature review was performed to investigate radiation dose index and measurement methodology commonly used in DRL determination. Dose area product (DAP) and fluoroscopy time within each major procedure category were systematically abstracted and analyzed. A wide variation was found in the radiation dose. The DAP values and fluoroscopy times ranged 0.01-3,081 Gy·㎠ and 2-16,878 seconds for all the interventional procedures, 8.5-1,679 Gy·㎠ and 32-5,775 seconds for the transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), and 0.1-686 Gy·㎠ and 16-6,636 seconds for the transfemoral cerebral angiography (TFCA), respectively. The DRL values of the DAP and fluoroscopy time were 238 Gy·㎠ and 1,224 seconds for the TACE and 189 Gy·㎠ and 686 seconds for the TFCA, respectively. Generally, the DRLs of Korea were lower than those of other developed countries, except for the percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with stent in arteries of the lower extremity (LE PTA and stent), aneurysm coil embolization, and Hickman insertion procedures. The wide variation in the radiation doses of the different procedures suggests that more attention must be paid to reduce unnecessary radiation exposure from medical imaging. Furthermore, periodic nationwide survey of medical radiation exposures is necessary to optimize the patient dose for radiation protection, which will ultimately contribute to patient dose reduction and radiological safety.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.69-76
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• 1993

In order to investigate radiation effects on the liver, functional changes of liver were analyzed after irradiation. Doses of 10 Gy, 15 Gy and 20 Gy were exposed partially to the liver of male rats(Sprague-Dawley) with X-ray(4MV linear accelerator) at room temperature. On 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks after irradiation, sera of the animals were compared with those of unirradiated animal by liver function tests. Enzyme activities in sera such as alkaline phosphatase and concentrations of bilirubin in liver function tests. The content of the activities of many enzymes including alkaline phosphatase in sera were increased slightly with increasing exposure dose in all experiments and the activities of these enzymes increased markedly in 20 Gy irradiated groups. The contents of serum bilirubins including direct and indirect bilirubins increased continuously along with the time lapse after irradiation. However, in 20 Gy irradiated group, the content of serum bilirubin decreased slightly during 2 or 4 weeks after irradiation and increased markedly there after. From these above results, functional changes of the liver were induced in all irradiated groups. Damaged liver was recovered along with time collapsed after irradiation to the doses of 10 Gy and 15 Gy while no recovery was deteced within 8 weeks after irradiation to 20 Gy. These results suggest that careful attontion must be paid to liver not to be included in exposure field in radiation therapy.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.119-138
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• 2016

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to review size, shape, and crystal structure-dependent toxicity of major metal oxide particles such as silicon dioxide, tungsten trioxide, aluminum oxide, and titanium dioxide as byproducts generated in semiconductor fabrication facility. Methods: To review the toxicity of major metal oxide particles, we used various reported research and review papers. The papers were searched by using websites such as Google Scholar and PubMed. Keyword search terms included '$SiO_2$(or $WO_3$ or $Al_2O_3$ or $TiO_2$) toxicity', 'health effects $SiO_2$(or $WO_3$ or $Al_2O_3$ or $TiO_2$). Additional papers were identified in references cited in the searched papers. Results: In various cell lines and organs of human and animals, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, hepatoxicity, fetotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and histopathological changes were induced by silicon dioxide, tungsten trioxide, aluminium oxide, and titanium dioxide particles. Differences in toxicity were dependent on the cell lines, organs, doses, as well as the chemical composition, size, surface area, shape, and crystal structure of the particles. However, the doses used in the reported papers were higher than the possible exposure level in general work environment. Oxidative stress induced by the metal oxide particles plays a significant role in the expression of toxicity. Conclusions: The results cannot guarantee human toxicity of the metal oxide particles, because there is still a lack of available information about health effects on humans. In addition, toxicological studies under the exposure conditions in the actual work environment are needed.