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223Ra-dichloride is an α-emitter therapy approved for the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer with symptomatic bone metastases. 223Ra-dichloride is the first targeted α-therapy for this indication with evidence of benefit in overall survival. The administration is intravenous, and extravasation can cause severe injuries such as tissue necrosis. To prevent this side effect, some procedures can be performed according to the guideline of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine. Ionizing radiation is a well-established risk factor for the development of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, but surprisingly there are few reports of local adverse effects related to extravasation of radiotherapies at the injection sites. Recently, a possible case of cutaneous cancer was observed after 223Ra-dichloride extravasation. Methods: To complement the prevention of extravasation, we developed a standardized technique to be performed before the injection of 223Ra. Results: Our technique was successfully applied to the study population, and no apparent extravasation was seen. Conclusion: Our study suggests that use of this standardized technique before administration of 223Ra is helpful in preventing extravasation during this treatment.

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This paper presents findings on groundwater physiochemical composition and radioactivity levels in households in Bac Lieu province, Vietnam. Through discriminant analysis, it was observed that groundwater quality exhibits spatial variations corresponding to saline intrusion zones. The paired-samples T-tests revealed significantly different ratios of Ra-224, Ra-226, and Ra-228 isotopes between Na-Cl and Ca-Na-HCO3 water types. All three water types had a ratio of Ra-226/Ra-228 of approximately one, indicating the presence of groundwater aquifers beneath the crust and fluvial marine sediment. Furthermore, strong associations between sulfate and calcium suggest that CO2 enrichment in groundwater aquifers indicates anoxic aquatic environments. Twenty-five of the thirty-three evaluated samples exceeded the national technical regulations for domestic water quality with parameters such as chloride, sulfate, sodium, gross alpha, or total dissolved solids. Fifteen samples exceeded gross alpha's allowable contamination threshold of 0.1 Bq/L. The combination of Ra-226 and Ra-228 did not surpass the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's recommended limit of 0.185 Bq/L. However, nineteen samples exhibited annual committed effective doses of radium isotopes for infants that exceeded the WHO recommendation of 0.1 mSv/year.

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One of the most well-liked energizing drinks is now tea, which is primarily used in Malaysia. The natural radioactivity in the associated soils where tea plants are cultivated plays a major role in determining the presence of radionuclides in tea leaves. The present study assesses the transfer of radionuclides from soil-to-tea leaves and then estimates the committed effective doses through tea consumption. Tea leaves and the associated soils were obtained from the largest tea plantation area, which is located in the Cameron Highlands, Malaysia. The marketed tea leaves in powdered form were obtained from the supermarkets in Kuala Lumpur. HPGe gamma-ray spectrometry was used to determine the prevailing concentrations of long-lived radioactive materials in tea leaves. Activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in tea soils ranged from 49 to 101.7 Bq kg-1, 74.5-124.1 Bq kg-1 and 79.6-423.2 Bq kg-1, respectively, while the respective values in tea leaves are 14.4-23.8 Bq kg-1, 12.9-29.5 Bq kg-1 and 297-387.5 Bq kg-1. Transfer factors of radionuclides showed typical values (<1.0) except for the 40K. The threshold tea consumption rates suggest that one should not consume more than 67 g of tea leaves per day (around 4 g of tea leaves are needed for making 1 cup of tea, so 17 cups per day) to avoid negative health effects. Committed effective doses due to tea consumption are found to be lower (5.18-6.08 µSv y-1) than the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (2000) reference dose guidance limit of 290 µSv y-1 for foodstuffs; however, it should be noted that the guidance limit is recommended for all foodstuffs collectively. Providing data on natural radioactivity in tea leaves grown in Malaysia, this study may help people manage a healthy lifestyle.

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The utilization of coal in Power Plants (PLTUs) can lead to the generation of fly ash waste, which may contain natural radionuclides that can potentially contaminate the surrounding environment. Despite Labuan PLTU's land-coastal location, marine environment monitoring remains minimal. A recent study conducted sediment and seawater sampling, revealing varying levels of natural radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K ranging from 3.4 to 27.5 Bq kg-1, 3.9 to 34.9 Bq kg-1, and 64.0 to 275.0 Bq kg-1 in sediments, respectively. Meanwhile, the activity concentration of natural radionuclides 226Ra and 232Th in seawater ranges from 0.5 to 1.1 Bq L-1 to 0.7-1.5 Bq L-1, respectively. These findings provide baseline data for marine radiation levels around PLTU Labuan. Additionally, risk assessments were conducted, indicating Raeq, Hin, and Hex ranges of 13.80-91.00 Bq kg-1, 0.04-0.25, and 0.05-0.31, respectively. The study concludes that Labuan's radiation levels are within safe limits for exposure.

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This investigation quantifies the activity concentrations of natural radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th, and 40K) in the soils and certain rocks of the Koytash-Ugam Range, Uzbekistan, and assesses their radiological risks. Gamma-spectrometric analysis of soil and rock samples revealed activity concentrations ranging from 456.2 ± 56.0 to 813.9 ± 76.0 Bq kg-1 for 40K, 18.2 ± 6.3 to 70.0 ± 12.0 Bq kg-1 for 226Ra, and 30.1 ± 2.9 to 57.9 ± 10 Bq kg-1 for 232Th. This data indicates a heterogeneous distribution of radionuclides, informing radiation safety and health risk assessments on a global scale. The calculation of radiological hazard indices, including the alpha-index (ranging from 0.09 to 0.35), gamma-index (ranging from 0.40 to 0.73), and both internal (ranging from 0.40 to 0.54) and external (ranging from 0.36 to 0.54) hazard indices, was undertaken to ascertain potential health risks. The radium equivalent activity ranged from 108.4 to 199.3 Bq kg-1, and the absorbed dose rates were 51.0-93.3 nGy h-1 indoors and 96.6-178.2 nGy h-1 outdoors. These metrics underlie the estimated annual effective dose of 536.5-988.5 × 10-3 mSv y-1, highlighting the variability in radiation exposure. Additionally, the potential lifetime cancer risk was projected at 1770.4 to 3262.0 per million, with an annual gonadal dose equivalent of 361.9 to 655.5 µSv y-1, reflecting natural background radiation influence. The results underscore the importance of safe material use in construction and the necessity for routine natural radioactivity monitoring. Radon flux density (RFD) values within acceptable construction limits (26-176 mBq m-2 s-1) suggest the area's suitability for development, considering recommended safety guidelines. This study not only aids local environmental and public health frameworks but also enriches the international knowledge base, facilitating comparative studies for the advancement of global radiation protection standards. Through a detailed examination of radionuclide distribution in an under-researched area, our research highlights the critical need for integrated international approaches to natural radiological hazard assessment.

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This study presents the first data on levels of natural radioactive elements in sediments from coastal ecosystems of the Republic of Congo. Sediment samples from five coastal sites were collected and analyzed by high-resolution gamma spectrometry for determination of activities of long-lived gamma-emitting radionuclides (234Th, 238U, 226Ra, 210Pb, 228Th, 228Ra, and 40 K). The specific activities were of the same order of magnitude as those measured in sediments of most countries neighboring the Republic of Congo. However, variations in activities were observed from one site to another and also from one sampling point to another within the same site without exceeding the global average reference values. It can be assumed, therefore, that no significant anthropogenic impact is perceptible in the study area. The most commonly used radiological hazard parameters, based mainly on 238U, 232Th, and 40 K activities, were assessed and the ERICA tool was applied to quantify the radiation exposure burden to human and biota resulting from radionuclides in sediments. Besides being useful for future monitoring efforts, the data produced in this work could be important for the worldwide database on radioactivity in the oceans and seas (MARIS) since no data are available in the Congolese marine environment.

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224Ra (t1/2 = 3.6 d) has been widely used as a tracer in environmental water research. Here, we present a new method for measuring 224Ra in natural waters using a pulsed ionization chamber (PIC)-based radon detector. This method is based on the measurement of the 224Ra daughter isotope 220Rn (thoron) after reaching secular equilibrium within 7 min. Radium isotopes are concentrated on ''Mn-fibers'' before measurement of 220Rn, which can be distinguished from 222Rn by the difference in their half-lives. The measurement efficiency of the method is 0.20 ± 0.01 cps/Bq at an optimum airflow rate of 1.0 L/min and a water/Mn-fiber weight ratio of 1.0. Results from natural water samples obtained by this method agree well with analysis via RaDeCC, an established technique for 224Ra assessments. Since the PIC system is lighter compared to RaDeCC, easier to operate, and does not require the usage of helium carrier gas and desiccant, this method is recommended for in-situ 224Ra measurement in long-term fieldwork with limited logistical support.

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Aim: Nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) is a good nanocarrier to load 223Ra, but the low specific activity (sp.act.) of 223Ra@nHA limits its application in medicine. Methods: We proposed a method for preparing nHA using PEG as a template, which significantly increases the sp.act of 223Ra@nHA and a new method to loaded 99mTc for in vivo tracking. Results: The nHA synthesized using PEG as a template was associated with higher sp.act for 223Ra in comparison to nHA with identical particle size and without PEG. The nHA load 99mTc-MDP was associated with higher labeling rate and stability in comparison to 99mTc. Conclusion: All these findings suggest that using PEG as a template and 99mTc-MDP could be the most effective of synthetic 223Ra/99mTc@nHA.

[Box: see text].

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This study explored the alteration of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs: 226Ra (≈238U), 232Th, 40K) in an anthropogenically disrupted urban river-basin (Turag, Bangladesh) in terms of constitutional substances (Sc, Ti, V, Fe, La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Ho, Yb, Lu, Hf, Ta, W, Th, U) of heavy-minerals. Average activity concentrations of 226Ra (≈238U), 232Th, and 40K were 41.5 ± 12.9, 72.1 ± 27.1, and 639 ± 100 Bqkg-1, respectively which were relatively higher compared to crustal origin. ∑REEs, Ta, W, Th, and U were ~2 times higher compared to crustal values with Ce and Eu-anomalies. APCS-MLR and PMF receptor models were used to determine the various anthropogenic and/or geogenic sources of NORMs and elements. Layer-wise variations of NORMs and elements were observed to trace the response of sedimentary processes towards the incoming pollution load. Presence of REEs indicates moderate degree of ecological risk to aquatic biota. However, carcinogenic risk (3.84 × 10-4 Sv-1) were significantly higher than threshold limit.

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In this present study, the nuclear track detector LR-115 (II) was employed to assess radon (222Rn) exhalation rate, effective radium (226Ra) content, and the annual effective dose from coal and soil samples collected in and around the coal mining area of Tiru region of Nagaland, India. The 222Rn mass and surface exhalation rates and 226Ra contents were found to be in the ranges of 7.3-17.3 mBq kg-1 h-1, 242.9-573.6 mBq m-2 h-1 and 1.0-2.3 Bq kg-1, respectively, for coal and 15.8-22.0 mBq kg-1 h-1, 523.8-730.4 mBq m-2 h-1 and 2.1-2.9 Bq kg-1, respectively, for soil. The 222Rn exhalation rates and 226Ra contents in soils were found to be higher than in coal. The estimated annual effective doses for coal and soils were found to be in the ranges of 17.6-41.6 and 38.0-53.0 µSv y-1, respectively. This study is an important contribution to the understanding of radiation exposure in the coal mining area of the thrust-bound sedimentary sequence of the Naga Schuppen Belt, and it would have potential impact on further human health studies. However, the measured values for all the samples were found to be within the globally recognised permissible range.

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Coal based thermal power plants contribute about ~ 72% of the power generation in India. Indian coal is of bituminous type, having a high ash content with 55-60% ash. Due to considerable environmental importance the collected fly ash has become a subject of worldwide interest in recent years. In the present study radon exhalation rate and the activity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K radionuclides in fly ash samples from Kasimpur Thermal Power Plant, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India have been measured by 'Sealed Can technique' using LR-115 type II detectors and a low-level NaI (Tl)- based gamma-ray spectrometer, respectively. Radon exhalation rate has been found to vary from 57.1 ± 5.3 to 119.4 ± 7.7 mBq m-2 h-1 with an average value of 87.3 ± 5.8 mBq m-2 h-1. Activity concentration of 226Ra ranged from 20.0 ± 8.5 to 30.0 ± 9.7 Bq kg-1 with an average value 23.4 ± 9.0 Bq kg-1, 232Th ranged from 17.0 ± 9.9 to 69.0 ± 13.8 Bq kg-1 with an average value of 46.5 ± 12.1 Bq kg-1 and 40K ranged from 130.0 ± 7.2 to 332.0 ± 11.1 Bq kg-1 with an average value of 177.0 ± 8.1 Bq kg-1.

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Natural radioactivity measurement, radiation monitoring of the region, dose assessment and interpretation of radiological-related parameters are crucial aspects from the public awareness and environmental safety point of view. The ionising radiations (gamma-rays) emitted from radionuclides such as 226Ra, 232Th and 40K present in environmental materials contributes significantly to the external radiation dose received by the public. High-efficiency gamma spectrometry based on a 4″ × 4″ NaI (Tl) detector was employed for estimating activity concentrations of the gamma-emitting radioelements. The spectra from the detector were recorded using a PC-based 1k multichannel analyser system (WinTMCA 32). Each sample spectrum was acquired for a counting period of 60 000 s (16.67 hr). Assuming the daughter products of 226Ra and 232Th in equilibrium, the activity concentration of these radionuclides were estimated by using the prominent gamma photo peaks of daughter products. Using the same technique, dose-related radiological parameters were calculated for all the samples. The activity concentrations of the radionuclides and the dose-related parameters for the samples were found to be comparable with the global literature values. The data generated from our study will contribute to the baseline radiological data of the region.

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The natural radioactivity concentration was studied for 40 soil samples of the Churchandpur and Ukhrul districts of Manipur, India, by using gamma-ray spectroscopy. The average radioactivity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in Churchandpur was found as 39.9 (range: 30-56), 72.1 (range: 57-93) and 564.1 (range:360-867) Bq kg-1 respectively, whereas, in Ukhrul, average radioactivity for the same was found as 30.3 (range: 16-54), 54.2 (range:24-89) and 637.1(range:103-901) Bq kg-1, respectively. The calculated radioactivity parameters were compared with the world average values. The measured radium equivalent activity (Raeq), absorbed dose rate ($\dot{\mathrm D}$), annual effective outdoor dose(E) and the external hazard index (Hex) were observed as 165 (range: 63.7-234.8) Bq kg-1, 77.6 (36.9-108.0) nGy h-1, 0.11 (0.05-0.13) mSv y-1 and 0.5 (0.1-0.6), respectively. This study aims to provide baseline data for radionuclide present in the Churchandpur and Ukhrul districts of Manipur.

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Natural radionuclides are universally spread and can be found in varying levels in rock, soil and water depending on the geology. A potential health threat may be caused by them to humans on consumption of water, food and inhalation of air due to the presence of radionuclides. In the present study, an attempt has been made to study the distribution of 238U, 226Ra, 222Rn and 210Po in groundwater samples of Kodagu district, India. The activity concentrations of 238U, 226Ra, 222Rn and 210Po were found to vary from 0.44 to 8.81 µg L-1, 0.71 to 7.66 mBq L-1, 1.54 to 9.61 Bq L-1 and 0.47 to 4.35 mBq L-1, respectively. The associated dose due to radiation was assessed and was observed to be below the recommended standards. The total effective dose to the population was calculated and was found to be less than the recommended WHO standard of 100 mSv.

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River and atmosphere are traditionally recognized as the primary nutrient sources impacting coastal ecosystems. Despite the increasing attention towards the often-neglected submarine groundwater discharge (SGD), its understanding and significance in highly human-impacted marginal seas remain limited. This study utilizes unprecedented high-resolution data (561 seawater and 282 groundwater radium samples) to provide precise estimates of 226Ra and 228Ra sources and sinks in the Eastern China Marginal Seas. A coupled 226Ra and 228Ra mass balance model enable an integrated SGD flux of (3.7 ± 2.4) × 1012 m3 yr-1, surpassing rivers by 3.4 times. Furthermore, nutrient delivery from SGD exceeds riverine and atmospheric inputs, potentially inducing substantial changes in coastal nutrient cycles. These alterations have profound implications for primary production and biological communities, deviating significantly from the Redfield ratio. Therefore, comprehending the significance of SGD in nutrient budgets is vital for a comprehensive understanding of biogeochemical dynamics and functionality of marginal sea ecosystems.

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Seawater movements are challenging to track and monitor for the transport of various soluble materials. Since the 1960s, naturally occurring radium isotopes (Ra), particularly 228Ra, with a half-life of 5.75 y, have provided unique insights into oceanic seawater circulations within a 30 y timescale. Since the 1980s, especially in the 2000s, frequent research expeditions and improvements in analytical techniques have enabled the determination of fine-scale lateral variations in 228Ra/226Ra ratio and 228Ra concentration. These results describe ocean-, sea-, and basin-scale seawater circulations and current mixing, including seasonal variations. Additionally, the source areas of Ra in seawater (i.e., coastal and shallow shelf areas) often overlap with areas containing contaminants released by human activities. Notably, the surface current systems inferred from the distribution of 228Ra closely explained the transport patterns of radiocesium derived from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant. Databases of 228Ra/226Ra ratios and 228Ra concentrations have the potential to predict flow pathways and timescales for various soluble contaminants in ocean and sea environments.

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Several life-prolonging therapies for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) are available, including radium-223 dichloride (223Ra), which was approved based on phase 3 data demonstrating improved overall survival (OS) and a favorable safety profile. To date, real-world evidence for 223Ra use in Taiwan is from three studies of <50 patients. This observational study (NCT04232761) enrolled male patients with histologically/cytologically confirmed mCRPC with bone metastases from centers across Taiwan. 223Ra was prescribed as part of routine practice by investigators. Patients with prior 223Ra treatment were excluded. The primary objective was to assess 223Ra safety; secondary objectives evaluated efficacy parameters, including OS. Overall, 224 patients were enrolled. Most patients had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0/1 (79.0%) and ≤20 bone metastases (69.2%); no patients had visceral metastases. 223Ra was first- or second-line therapy in 23.2% and 47.7% of patients, respectively. The total proportion of patients who received 5-6 223Ra cycles was 68.8%; this proportion was greater with first-line use (84.3%) than second- (65.7%) or third-/fourth-line use (64.1%). More chemotherapy-naïve patients (61.9%) completed the 6-cycle 223Ra treatment than chemotherapy-exposed patients (56.7%). Any-grade treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and serious TEAEs occurred in 54.0% and 28.6% of patients, respectively, while 12% experienced 223Ra-related adverse events. Median OS was 15.7 months (95% confidence interval 12.13-19.51); patients receiving 5-6 223Ra injections and earlier 223Ra use had longer OS than those receiving fewer injections and later 223Ra use. 223Ra provides a well-tolerated and effective treatment for Taiwanese patients with mCRPC and bone metastases.

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It has been found that algae have a variety of health benefits, although investigations showed that they contain radiotoxic elements, including 226Ra, 232Th, 40K, and 137Cs, which may affect human health. This study is connected to activity concentration measurements of the above radionuclides in the algae supplements available in the Middle East markets. The annual effective radiation doses of measured radionuclides in analyzed algal supplements have been calculated. The highest values of annual effective doses have been estimated for 226Ra in Ecklonia (13.39 µSv/y) and for 232Th in Red Marine Algae (11.80 µSv/y), both from South Korea. In algal "superfoods", the effective dose of 137Cs is not significantly affected by the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the activity levels of radionuclides are low, the naturally occurring radionuclides provide the most effective doses, and algae supplements can be considered safe.

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This study evaluates the radiological risk associated with the consumption of infant powdered milk in Albania. Infant powdered milk is the basic foodstuff for their growth and development in many countries around the world. The activity concentration of radionuclides (40K, 226Ra, 232Th and 137Cs) was measured in fourteen types by using the gamma-ray technique. The results indicated that the activity concentration of 40K, 226Ra and 232Th were detected in all selected samples, whereas 137Cs were not detected in most of them. The activity concentration of 40K, 226Ra and 232Th varies from 92.83 ± 4.32 to 400.53 ± 17.00 Bq kg-1, 0.80 ± 0.15 to 4.91 ± 0.28 Bq kg-1 and 0.19 ± 0.02 to 1.89 ± 0.14 Bq kg-1, respectively. The highest value for 137Cs was found to be 0.36 ± 0.03 Bq kg-1. The average values of Annual Effective Dose (AED) due to consumption of powdered milk were found to be 664.54 ± 31.11 µSv y-1 for infants ≤1 year and 138.53 ± 5.40 µSv y-1 for infants 1-2 years. The values of dose in this study were lower than the recommended limit of 1 mSv y-1 set by WHO/FAO and ICRP for all ages. Therefore, brands of powdered milk are safe, so, these can be normally consumed by infants in Albania.

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Volcanic eruption is associated with the release of large volumes of pollutants in the environment, which can pose a risk to humans and other living organisms. The elemental and radioisotope composition of ash released during the Shiveluch Volcano eruption in 2023 was analyzed using ICP-MS and low-background gamma spectrometry. The ash consisted of 59% SiO2, 16.7% Al2O3, 5.3% CaO, 4.6 % Na2O, 4.5% Fe2O3, 1.4% K2O, 0.48% TiO2, 0.17% P2O5, 0.15% S, 0.078% MnO and 44 trace elements. Hazard Quotient and Hazard Index were calculated in order to evaluate the potential health risks to children and adults due to exposure to contaminants via inhalation, ingestion, and dermal contact. All values were below the unit, indicating a low probability of non-carcinogenic and cancerogenic risk occurrence in target groups. The average activity concentrations of the natural radionuclides were 350, 12.4 and 4.84 Bq/kg for 40K, 226Ra and 232Th. Radiological indices, including external and internal risk assessment, radium equivalent activity, annual effective dose, gamma index, and excess lifetime cancer risk were calculated to estimate the radiological hazard for the population. The values of all indices were below the recommended safety limits, indicating a low level of hazard for the exposed population.

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