Occupational radiation damage

In high radiation fields, the spinel crystal structure has been shown to change. The structure, while still cubic, becomes disordered with a reduction in lattice parameter. The disordered rock-salt structure has a smaller unit cell reflecting the more random occupation of the octahedral sites by both trivalent and divalent ions. Increased radiation damage results in the formation of completely amorphous spinels. Radial distribution functions (g(r)) of these amorphous phases have Al-0 and Mg-O radial distances that are different from equivalent crystalline phases. The Al-0 distance in the amorphous form is reduced from Al-O of 0.194nm in the crystalline phase to 0.18nm in the amorphous phase, while the Mg-O distance is increased (0.19nm in the crystal to 0.21 nm in the amorphous phase). Differences between the Al-O distances of crystalline and amorphous phases are a characteristic of both calcium and rare earth aluminates. 

To stay below the threshold levels for radiation damage, the National Committee on Radiation Protection and Measurement recommends the following standards for occupational conditions in controlled areas ... 

Toxic Effects on the Blood-Forming Tissues Reduced formation of erythrocytes and other elements of blood is an indication of damage to the bone marrow. Chemical compounds toxic to the bone marrow may cause pancytopenia, in which the levels of all elements of blood are reduced. Ionizing radiation, benzene, lindane, chlordane, arsenic, chloramphenicol, trinitrotoluene, gold salts, and phenylbutazone all induce pancytopenia. If the damage to the bone marrow is so severe that the production of blood elements is totally inhibited, the disease state is termed aplastic anemia. In the occupational environment, high concentrations of benzene can cause aplastic anemia. 

Expts have shown that if TEA is thickened with only 1% polyisobutylene (instead of the usual 6%) it is possible to produce a chemical fireball which radiates sufficient thermal energy to destroy or damage military targets. It is reported that such a weapon could cause third degree burns on occupants of bunkers within a few seconds, whether or not the agent hit individuals. Previously only nuclear weapons were able to produce damaging levels of thermal radiation (Ref 5)... 

Ondeger 0, Zorlu AF, Basaran N (1999) Use of the alkaline comet assay to monitor DNA damage in technicians exposed to low-dose radiation. J Occup Environ Med 41 693-698 Valenzuela MT, Nunez Ml, Guerrero M, Villalobos M, de Almodovar JMR (2000) Capillary electrophoresis of DNA damage after irradiation apoptosis and necrosis. J Chromatogr A, 871 321 -330 van Eldik R, Meyerstein D (2000) High-pressure radiolysis as a tool in the study of transition metal reaction mechanisms. Acc Chem Res 33 207-214... 

The above technology would also make it possible to defuel the intact starboard reactor core of NS serial 175. After damaged RC monolithization the radiation situation within the starboard RC would improve, and thus defuelling under permissible (or close to permissible) occupational dose levels would be possible. 

Protecting your employees against harmful stuff they can breathe (silica dust), absorb through their skin (ionizing radiation), or noise that can damage their hearing, all deal with occupational health. 

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