Retrospective measurements of airborne (129)Iodine in Austria

Author(s)

Tania Jabbar, Gabriele Wallner, Peter Steier, Christian Katzlberger, Norbert Kandler

Abstract

The knowledge about the distribution of anthropogenic I-129 is crucial for a successful establishment of transport mechanisms, fate and behaviour in the environment. In present study, the historical record of dry deposition of I-129 in Austria over four decades back to the 1960s is reconstructed. The I-129/I-127 isotopic ratio of the order of 10(-9)-10(-7) in airborne particles revealed a prominent anthropogenic I-129 signature. The time profile of airborne I-129 follows directly the pattern of the gaseous emissions from European reprocessing plants. Furthermore, temporal variations of I-129 were traced monthly over two years. The potential risks of internal exposure to I-129 are associated with both inhalation and ingestion. Since dose via inhalation was found insignificant, the thyroid equivalent dose from the internal exposure of I-129 using a value of 10(-8) for the isotopic ratio I-129/I-127 in the thyroid and ICRP reference man was calculated. The corresponding thyroid cancer risk factor of 10(-11) for an adult from life-time exposure is one order of magnitude higher than for a 1-year old child. Due to low radiation toxicity of I-129 the annual dose is 8 x 10(4) times lower than the dose limit of the National Research Council, USA which is 0.04 mSv y(-1) to whole body or any organ for a combined beta and photon emitting radionuclide.

Organisation(s)

Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Isotope Physics

External organisation(s)

AGES - Österreichische Agentur für Gesundheit und Ernährungssicherheit

Journal

Journal of Environmental Radioactivity

Volume

112

Pages

90-95

No. of pages

6

ISSN

0265-931X

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2012.05.010

Publication date

2012

Peer reviewed

Yes

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

103014 Nuclear physics, 104023 Environmental chemistry

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being

Portal url

https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/e844b768-1a20-486d-a4ed-171f410dfbe2