Radioecological hazard for the population living in the regions with high radioactive granites

Abstract

The relevance of the research is caused by the need to explain the high morbidity in the areas of radioactive rocks and soils. The study was carried out in the framework of a new scientific field - Medical Geology. The main aim is to define the volume of radon emission in the area of high8radioactive granite outcrops and evaluate their radiological hazard and medical8biological consequences. Objects: geochemical and mineralogical composition of granite, weathering crusts and soils, the volume of radon emission and incidence in various regions of the world (Zhuhai city in Guangdong Province, China; the town of IchassiPres in Auvergne region, France; the town of Belokurikha in Altai Krai, Russia; and urban8type settlement Kolyvan, Novosibirsk Oblast, Russia). Methods: a wide range of methods including instrumental neutron activation, x8ray phase analysis, gamma spectrometry, fragmenta8 tion radiography, electron microscopy, express measurement of radon volume activity, calculation of radon density flux, equivalent ef8 fective dose and the frequency of newly detected diseases (incidence) were used in the research. Results. The current article provides the summarized data on the effects of ionizing radiation on the human body. According to the re8 sults of geochemical, mineralogical, radioecological and medical8statistical studies the authors have revealed that the radionuclides are released from the structural lattices of accessory minerals and sorbed on clay minerals at soil formation. This process contributes to the increase of radon emission and background radiation. The high activity of radon (Rn) and the elevated concentrations of radioactive ele8 ments in the underlying rocks and soils lead to the increase in disease rates including some types of cancer, anemias, and congenital de8 fects. The territories of risk in the incidence of lung cancer include Belokurikha in the Altai Krai and Kolyvan in the Novosibirsk Oblast; nasopharyngeal cancer - Guangdong province; hematopoietic tissue cancer - Kolyvan; anemia - Guangdong; congenital malforma8 tions - Kolyvan.