Annual average radon concentration in the show caves of Hungary

Radon can accumulate in underground areas such as show caves. Repairmen and tourist guides working in such caves may thus be exposed to significant radiation doses. Therefore, it is necessary to measure the radon concentration to estimate the exact radiation dose caused by radon. Considering that the radon concentration in caves usually shows significant seasonal fluctuations, the monthly change of radon concentration was studied for 1 year in nine show caves opened to the public in Hungary. Despite the fact that all of the caves were formed in karst rocks, the annual average radon concentration levels were rather different between each other (541–8287 Bq m⁻³). The significant monthly fluctuation of the radon concentration indicates that the annual average radon concentration in caves can only be accurately obtained by year-long measurements.     

Radiation dose of workers originating from radon in the show Cave of Tapolca,Hungary

In the last few decades attention has been given to improve workplace conditions, primarily to reduce the different health risks. In the air that accumulates in underground workplaces radon may constitute one of the health risks. The radon concentration in the show cave in Tapolca is especially high in summer months, with the annual average in the year 2005 being 7227 Bq/m³, in 2006 8591 Bq/m³. The radon concentration was found to be independent on the location of the measurement. Its value was rather similar for working hours and for the total period. The hours spent in the cave by the workers depend on the number of visitors. The radiation dose, estimated on the basis of personal dosimeters, is significant for those working there especially, employed during the whole year. Taking into consideration the actual working hours and the equilibrium factor, F = 0.4, given in the literature, it approaches and even exceeds the dose limit of 20 mSv/year. With a well organized work schedule, as well as the employment of outside workers during the summer period, the dose limit of 20 mSv/year can probably be maintained. However, on the basis of recent measurements, the actual equilibrium factor was determined to be F = 0.5, which in turn means a further 25% increase in the dose effect.     

Chemistry in Hungary

The following brief survey of the status of chemistry in Hungary focuses on chemistry education at Hungarian universities, the role of the chemical industry in the Hungarian economy, chemical research at university departments, and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and its major research areas. Chemical cooperation with institutions in other countries is also outlined, with emphasis on joint projects with German institutions.     

Medical dosimetry in Hungary

Radiation exposure of medical staff during cardiological and radiological procedures was investigated. The exposure of medical staff is directly connected to patient exposure. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of doses on uncovered part of body of medical staff using LiF thermoluminescent (TL) dosimeters in seven locations.Individual Kodak film dosimeters (as authorized dosimetry system) were used for the assessment of medical staff's effective dose. Results achieved on dose distribution measurements confirm that wearing only one film badge under the lead apron does not provide enough information on the personal dose.The value of estimated annual doses on eye lens and extremities (fingers) were in good correlation with international publications.     

Analytical chemistry in Hungary

Summary The past and present state of analytical chemistry in Hungary are reviewed in this paper. The publications by Hungarian authors are briefly analysed and the relationship of Hungarian and international activity in the field is discussed.

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Analytische Chemie in Ungarn

Zusammenfassung Ein überblick über Vergangenheit und Gegenwart der analytischen Chemie in Ungarn wird gegeben. Die Veröffentlichungen ungarischer Autoren werden kurz besprochen und die Beziehungen zur internationalen Entwicklung werden diskutiert.

     

Ground-truthing predicted indoor radon concentrations by using soil-gas radon measurements

Predicting indoor radon potential has gained in importance even asthe national radon programs began to wane. A cooperative study to produceradon potential maps was conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Department of Energy (DOE), and LawrenceBerkeley Laboratory (LBL) with the latter taking the lead role. They developeda county-wide predictive model based dominantly on the National Uranium ResourceEvaluation (NURE) aerorad data and secondly on geology, both small-scale databases. However, that model breaks down in counties of complex geology anddoes not provide a means to evaluate the potential of an individual home orbuilding site. In this current study, soil-gas radon measurements on a largescale are shown to provide information for estimating radon potential at individualsites sort out the complex geology so that the small-scale prediction indexcan be validated. An example from Frederick County, Maryland indicates a positivecorrelation between indoor measurements and soil-gas data. The method doesnot rely on a single measurement, but a series that incorporate seasonal andmeteorological considerations.     

Continuous measurements of radon and radon progeny as a basis for management of radon as a hazard in a tourist cave

A six month survey of radon, radon progeny and condensation nuclei (CN) has been conducted in an Australian tourist cave. The measurements have been made continuously at two sites within the cave: one a small chamber with a high air exchange rate close to one entrance and connected to several other entrances by complex passages; the other a large chamber with a low air exchange rate 1 km from the nearest entrance. The measurements form a basis for evaluation of the accuracy with which dose due to radon can be determined for different monitoring strategies. It is shown that the estimate of dose based on the measurement of radon concentration and recommendations in ICPR-65, is low by a factor of 1.3 at the well ventilated site and 1.5 at the site with a low air exchange rate and low CN. At each site the weekly average equilibrium factor and unattached fraction were steady, leading to the possibility of establishing a cave system average of these factors. However, given the technical diffuculties involved, it may not be practicable to make enough unattached fraction measurements to fully represent the cave system. Therefore it may be necessary to use a conservative approach to the dosimetry and add 50% to values determined by the ICRP-65 conversion convention.     

Determination of air-loop volume and radon partition coefficient for measuring radon in water sample

A simple method for the direct determination of the air-loop volume in a RAD7 system as well as the radon partition coefficient was developed allowing for an accurate measurement of the radon activity in any type of water. The air-loop volume may be measured directly using an external radon source and an empty bottle with a precisely measured volume. The partition coefficient and activity of radon in the water sample may then be determined via the RAD7 using the determined air-loop volume. Activity ratios instead of absolute activities were used to measure the air-loop volume and the radon partition coefficient. In order to verify this approach, we measured the radon partition coefficient in deionized water in the temperature range of 10–30 °C and compared the values to those calculated from the well-known Weigel equation. The results were within 5 % variance throughout the temperature range. We also applied the approach for measurement of the radon partition coefficient in synthetic saline water (0–75 ppt salinity) as well as tap water. The radon activity of the tap water sample was determined by this method as well as the standard RAD-H₂O and BigBottle RAD-H₂O. The results have shown good agreement between this method and the standard methods.     

Monitoring water-polluting pesticides in Hungary

A 5-year survey of pesticide active ingredients and residues in Hungarian surface water samples was carried out within the framework of a national monitoring program. Based on physicochemical and ecotoxicological properties of currently registered pesticide active ingredients, a range of analytes was selected to cover compounds that potentially contaminate surface waters due to their solubility properties or mode of use. Target analytes thus included acetochlor, atrazine, carbofuran, diazinon, fenoxycarb, metribuzin, phorate, prometryn, terbutryn, and trifluralin. During the sampling campaign these pesticides were monitored in Hungarian surface waters including streams, rivers and lakes. Samples were obtained annually in two runs: before and after pesticide sprayings in spring and early summer. Samples were prepared for analysis by solid-phase extraction and solid-phase microextraction. Target analytes were monitored by gas chromatography - mass spectrometry, using electron impact and chemical ionization techniques. Spatial distribution monitoring of the surface water pollutants indicated two heavily contaminated point sources, as well as a wide range of non-point contamination. One or more pesticide active ingredients above the detection limit of the instrumental method used were measured in 209 samples, giving the result that 59% of the samples collected during the sampling campaign contained pesticide residues.     

Indoor radon concentration survey in Mexico

Indoor radon evaluations in specific regions of the country have been performed in an effort to assess the magnitude of the radon problem and its public health consequences. The survey of this paper covers four large non-tropical regions of north and central Mexico, and reports the results of measurements of indoor radon concentrations in houses of towns with between 100,001 and 500,000 inhabitants. The measurements were done by using passive detectors, namely, the closed-end-cup system with CR-39 polycarbonate chips as detector material. The measurements were performed throughout the two coldest seasons (between 5 and 20°C), winter and spring, in integration periods of 28 days covering the six month cycle. The results show a moderate average radon concentration below 200 Bq·m⁻³ with occasional higher values. This is very probably due to the climate conditions and the traditional habits of open door and window ventilation. The IFUNAM (Instituto de Física, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México) Laboratory, where the closed-end cup system for radon was developed, has gained experience though this survey and is willing to share it for future surveys at regional or national levels.     

State of radon in crystalline polymers

The state of radon in crystalline polymers, polyethylene and polypropylene, has been studied by methods of macro- and microauto-radiography. Radon-222 was introduced into the samples by diffusion from the gas phase at various temperatures and time intervals. Effects on the state of radon of such factors as density and polymer crystallinity, extent of macromolecular chain branching, spherulite radius, content of different admixtures, -ray photon irradiation dose or irradiation with accelerated electrons, etc., were investigated. In pure polymers, radon was found to be in an atomically dispersed state. Radon forms thermally stable accumulations at the surface as well as in the bulk of the material due to admixtures, gas bubbles and crazes. The probable effect of radon's tendency to form accumulations on the kinetics of its diffusion in crystalline polymers is discussed.     

Peculiar properties of water as solute

Water has been investigated for a long time as the most important solvent; the peculiar behavior of water as solute has been studied in binary mixtures with organic solvents, mainly exploring the whole phase diagram. In this Article, we studied the behavior of water in binary mixtures with propylene carbonate in the phase diagram region where water acts as a solute as a function of the water molar fraction X(water). Surface tension measurements, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) have been used to investigate the state of water molecules and hydrogen bonds when water is to be considered a solute instead of a solvent, and peculiar and interesting properties were discovered. The interaction of water molecules among themselves and between water and propylene carbonate has been shown to be dependent on the water concentration in the mixtures. All of the measured properties showed a break at X(water) approximately 0.15-0.20 similar to the break due to the critical micellar concentration in surfactant solutions. In particular, from the FTIR spectra, it was possible to deduce that at this concentration water has a transition from pure solute ("multimers" solvated by PC) to cosolvent ("intermediate" and "network" water).     

乙烯的一种奇妙性质实验

高中化学教材中有验证乙烯化学性质的实验。我们把这一实验加以补充,即可验证乙烯的另一种奇妙的性质──果实催熟性。     

Peculiar side-chain fission of steroidal glycosides

The characteristic novel steroidal glycosides of the 23,26-oxygenated spirostanol-type and 16,22-dicarbonyl cholestanol-type obtained in our laboratory underwent the peculiar reactions of side-chain fission between C-22 and C-23 of the steroidal skeleton by acid or alkaline hydrolysis. These reactions would be applied to the structural determination of these sorts of glycosides and suggest the biogenetic pathway of the occurrence of C-22 lactone-type glycosides.