Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.1515/aiht-2015-66-2587
Measuring and modelling the radiological impact of a phosphogypsum deposition site on the surrounding environment
Tomislav Bituh
orcid.org/0000-0001-7292-2942
; Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia
Branko Petrinec
; Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia
Božena Skoko
; Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia
Zlatko Vučić
; Institute of Physics, Zagreb, Croatia
Gordana Marović
; Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Phosphogypsum (PG) is a waste product (residue) from the production of phosphoric acid characterized by technologically enhanced natural radioactivity. Croatia’s largest PG deposition site is situated at the edge of Lonjsko Polje Nature Park, a sensitive ecosystem possibly endangered by PG particles. This field study investigates two aspects relevant for the general radiological impact of PG: risk assessment for the environment and risk assessment for occupationally exposed workers and local inhabitants. Activity concentrations of natural radionuclides (238U, 235U, 232Th, 226Ra, 210Pb, and 40K) were measured in the PG (at the deposition site), soil, and grass samples (in the vicinity of the site). The ERICA Assessment Tool was used to estimate the radiological impact of PG particles on non-human biota of the Lonjsko Polje Nature Park. The average annual effective dose for occupationally exposed workers was 0.4 mSv which was within the worldwide range.
Keywords
dose assessment; ERICA Tool; occupational dosimetry; radioactivity
Hrčak ID:
136508
URI
Publication date:
18.3.2015.
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