RADIATION PROTECTION

Research progress on medical exposure and its health risk assessment caused by X-CT

YANGFAN Qiaochu, ZHENG Junzheng, GAO Linfeng

RADIATION PROTECTION. 2025, 45(1): 1-11.

Abstract ( 58 )

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X-ray computed tomography (X-CT), which is constantly being updated and developed, is indispensable for modern medicine because of its significant advantages in medical imaging. Along with economic development and technological progress, the demand for health checkups and disease diagnosis and treatment for the public is increasing, and X-CT including cone-beam CBCT and even the newly emerging static CT is becoming more and more widespread. As a result, the dose of medical exposure for patients and examinees due to X-CT occupies the largest share of medical exposure to the public from radiological treatment, and the possible radiation risks are of great concern to the whole society. To this end, this paper presents an overview that how to monitor and estimate the medical doses to individual subjects and the public due to X-CT imaging: starting with an analysis including the frequency of X-CT and its distribution characteristics, and then further to review the assessment methods, status and considerations of radiation risks associated with the X-CT. On this basis, four aspects of enhancing medical exposure protection in the widespread use of X-CT are focused to promote the development of X-CT while better pursuing the benefits and avoiding the harms to the public.

A study on the concentration control requirements for radioactive effluent discharge from nuclear power plants

HUANG Yanjun, SHANGGUAN Zhihong, ZHAO Feng, ZHANG Xiaofeng

RADIATION PROTECTION. 2025, 45(1): 12-20.

Abstract ( 43 )

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Concentration control is one of the main countermeasures of radioactive effluent discharge management for nuclear power plants. In this paper, the implication and requirements of effluent discharge concentration control were analyzed; the regulatory requirements and practices of concentration control for nuclear power plants were investigated and comparatively studied; and suggestions for further improving concentration control management methods were put forward.

Reflection of U.S. regulations on emergency preparedness requirements for small modular reactors

LI Bing, YANG Duanjie, CHEN Xiaoqiu, CHEN Yingying, CHEN Peng, ZHANG Cheng

RADIATION PROTECTION. 2025, 45(1): 21-26.

Abstract ( 34 )

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The main content of the newly released U.S. Federal Regulations 10 CFR 50.160 was introduced, which was amended by Nuclear Regulatory Commission to create an alternative, performance-based emergency preparedness framework for small modular reactors, non-light-water reactors, and non-power production or utilization facilities. A detailed analysis was conducted on the differences of emergency supervision between small and large reactors in the U.S.. Based on the current practice of emergency regulations for small reactors in China, regulatory reflection was provided in terms of emergency feasibility analysis, emergency protection actions, and the determination of emergency planning zone. Relevant suggestions were put forward. A performance-based approach should be adopted for small reactor emergency management.

A rapid method for enriching nuclides in environmental water samples and effluents from nuclear power plants

GUO Jie, OUYANG Jun, ZHANG Jiajun, ZHU Shenhe, QIN Hao, FENG Junjie

RADIATION PROTECTION. 2025, 45(1): 27-33.

Abstract ( 37 )

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In this paper, a composite column containing silver potassium ferric cobaltate and manganese dioxide was prepared for the enrichment of key radionuclides from liquid effluents of nuclear power plants. The effects of sample type, flow rate, pH, temperature and other factors on the enrichment efficiency of the column were studied experimentally. The method can achieve rapid enrichment of key artificial radionuclides in environmental water samples and liquid effluents of nuclear power plants. The adsorption efficiency can reach more than 90%. This method can effectively reduce the detection limit of γ nuclides in liquid effluents, shorten the enrichment time of environmental water samples, and can be used for environmental water samples monitoring in emergency situations.

Research on measurement methods of cosmic ray response

LIAO Yuhang, CAO Longsheng, YANG Yang, WU Jiajun, LIU Gongye

RADIATION PROTECTION. 2025, 45(1): 34-39.

Abstract ( 42 )

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Measurement of gamma radiation dose rate is an important part of radiation environment monitoring work, and the deduction of cosmic ray response value plays a crucial role in the accuracy of the measurement of gamma radiation dose rate. To address the limitations of the pressure-hull glass fiber boats and small wooden boats commonly used in current cosmic ray response measurement, this study introduces floating platforms and ice surfaces as measurement platforms for cosmic ray response measurement and conducts measurements of the cosmic ray response values of various instruments under different measurement platforms and scenarios. The results show that the measured cosmic ray response of high pressure ionization chamber ranges from 33.4 to 41.4 nGy/h, and that of the plastic scintillator detector ranges from 8.7 to 12.6 nGy/h. The measured cosmic ray response values of each instrument follow the following rules: glass steel ship > ice surface ≥ small wooden ship≈buoy platform. Overall, the new buoy platform is the most effective, convenient and economical measurement platform available.

Practice and suggestion on eye lens radiation dose monitoring in nuclear power plant

PU Lixing, BAI Han, CUI Yuwen

RADIATION PROTECTION. 2025, 45(1): 40-43.

Abstract ( 30 )

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During the refuelling outage at a nuclear power plant, the eye lens of operators will be exposed to higher doses due to high radiation level and complex composition of radionuclides in some places. Eye lens dose monitoring was carried out for all kinds of operations with high radiation risk during the refuelling outage at a nuclear power plant. Based on this practice, relevant suggestions on occupational eye lens exposure monitoring were put forward.

Application of ultrasonic fuel cleaning for reducing collective dose in nuclear power plant

LUN Zhenming

RADIATION PROTECTION. 2025, 45(1): 44-55.

Abstract ( 24 )

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Ultrasonic fuel cleaning can eliminate the axial offset anomaly of nuclear power plant fuel assembly and reduce collective dose. This paper mainly describes the principle of ultrasonic fuel cleaning and its application in global nuclear power industry. As for the application of ultrasonic fuel cleaning for reducing the collective dose, this paper analyzes the specific benefits of the implementation of nuclear power plant and the general benefits of typical nuclear power plant, and points out the safety risks of fuel assembly and worker. The economic cost of ultrasonic fuel cleaning in domestic nuclear power plants is preliminarily calculated, and the application suggestions are put forward for those reactor units with high collective dose.

Analysis and discussion of ⁵⁸Co peak of PWR nuclear power plant oxidation operation

DENG Qingquan

RADIATION PROTECTION. 2025, 45(1): 56-61.

Abstract ( 36 )

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During the third cycle refueling overhaul of Unit 4 of a nuclear power plant, a large number of activated corrosion products (⁵⁸Co) was released in the primary coolant during the oxidation operation, which had a great impact on radiation protection and the duration of the overhaul. Taking into consideration with the operating conditions of the third fuel cycle of Unit 4, this paper carries out a systematic analysis from the aspects of corrosion, migration deposition, purification, activation and dissolution. This paper summarizes three reasons for the high peak value of ⁵⁸Co in oxidation operation during the third cycle refueling overhaul of Unit 4. At the same time, relevant suggestions are put forward to reduce the peak value of ⁵⁸Co in oxidation operation and reduce the overhaul period occupied by purification process.

Development and application for point kernel computer code based on boundary representation geometry

TANG Songqian, WEN Xingjian, LV Huanwen, LI Wenhan, MIAO Jianxin, CHEN Xin

RADIATION PROTECTION. 2025, 45(1): 62-66.

Abstract ( 32 )

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The point kernel method is one of the most commonly used methods in shielding design. In order to overcome the problem in error-prone traditional point kernel code because of geometric description caused by not re-modeled directly using radiation protection field, a point-kernel code based on boundary representation geometry was developed. The accuracy of the program was validated using the OECD benchmark for spent fuel transport cask. The results show that the calculation results of this program are in good agreement with QAD. The complex geometric adaptability of the program was validated by using ACP1000 shielding calculation model for main equipment room. The results show that the program has the ability to calculate three dimensional radiation field in complex problem.

Low dose tritiated water induced radiation-adaptive responses in lung cancer cells based on the Nrf2 pathway

DING Ziyi, XU Zhao, CAO Jingwen, JI Taotao, ZHOU Yuanyuan, YANG Yanyan, LI Taosheng

RADIATION PROTECTION. 2025, 45(1): 67-76.

Abstract ( 23 )

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This study investigated the induction of radiation adaptive response and its high activity threshold by tritiated water (HTO) in human non-small cell lung cancer cells (A549). The role of the Nrf2 pathway in the induction of adaptive response by HTO was further explored. Five gradient activities of HTO (7×10³, 1.4×10⁴, 2.1×10⁴, 2.8×10⁴, 3.5×10⁴ Bq/mL) were set (accumulated radiation dose ranging from 0.55 to 8.27 mGy). A549 cells were pre-treated with HTO for 24 hours, followed by irradiation with 4 Gy X-rays. Cell viability was measured using MTT assay. The results showed that lower activities of HTO (7×10³ and 1.4×10⁴ Bq/mL) could restore the cell viability of A549 cells after 4 Gy irradiation, indicating the presence of an adaptive response. However, HTO with activities higher than 2.1×10⁴ Bq/mL resulted in no recovery of cell viability in A549 cells, indicating the disappearance of adaptive response. Moreover, with increasing activity, cell viability further decreased. Considering that the adaptive response induced by HTO with an activity of 1.4×10⁴ Bq/mL is the most significant, this activity of HTO was selected for the detection of oxidative levels. The results showed that HTO can significantly reduce the intra-cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels after high-dose X-ray irradiation, indicating that the adaptive response is regulated by oxidative levels. Moreover, the addition of Nrf2 inhibitor (ML385) during the pre-treatment stage of HTO (1.4×10⁴ Bq/mL) can significantly inhibit the radiation resistance induced by HTO, suggesting the involvement of the antioxidant pathway Nrf2 in this process.

Carry forward the "Spirit for Two Bombs & One Satellite" and "MaLan Spirit"

ZHENG Junzheng

RADIATION PROTECTION. 2025, 45(1): 77-94.

Abstract ( 22 )

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It must be deeply reminisced about the time when our country was still poor and backward and suffered the blockade and suppression of hostile forces such as international hegemonism, during which the arduous rise and stubborn development of independent nuclear science and technology as well as national defense science and technology industry in China. The unforgettable Eastern roar of the Malan Nuclear Test Site in the Lop Nur Desert on October 16, 1964, shattered the nuclear monopoly of world nuclear superpower. Following that, self-reliance, tenacious struggle, and accomplishing technological miracles such as "Two Bombs and One Satellite" that shocked the world were truly magnificent and glorious! Outstanding sons and daughters of the Chinese nation bravely took the responsibility as backbone of the country, disregarding their own safety and lives to achieve China’s status as a nuclear weapon state. The "Two Bombs and One Satellite" pioneers and the thousands of Malan soldiers who worked hard to build the country’s nuclear deterrence will go in history and inspire future generations. The whole society must steadfastly continue and practice the "Two Bombs & One Satellite spirit" and the "Malan spirit", fulfilling the duties and forging ahead for the great historical mission of revitalizing China.

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