title: Integrated natural radiation exposure studies in stable Yugoslav rural communities.
abstract: The results of field investigations of natural radiation exposures of the general population in two stable rural communities in Yugoslavia are presented. The principal emphasis was on exposures to contemporary indoor radon, but measurements of external penetrating radiation absorbed dose rates in air were carried out in the majority of cases. In addition, in a limited number of dwellings, measurements of thoron gas concentrations were made. By means of making a series of sequential 3-month radon measurements, both seasonal variations and annual average radon levels in the dwellings were determined. Using passive alpha track detectors, individual radon and thoron indoor concentrations as high as 9591 Bq m(-3) and 709 Bq m(-3), respectively, were detected while absorbed dose rates in air in the dwellings as high as 430 nGy h(-1) were recorded. On the basis of these different types of measurements, assessments could be made of the integrated natural radiation exposures being received by the populations. In addition to contemporary radon measurements, retrospective radon exposure assessments in most of the dwellings were made on the basis of measurements of 210Po concentrations in both surface (glass) traps and in volume (porous materials) traps. A description is given of the sampling strategies and protocols used in this field work. It is shown that at least one stable rural community receiving high natural radiation exposures, has been clearly identified and plans for future health investigations of the population there are outlined.
authors.affiliation: Radiation Medicine Department, Institute of Nuclear Sciences Vinca, Belgrade, Yugoslavia.
authors.forename: Z S
authors.initials: ZS
authors.lastname: Zunic
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: McLaughlin
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Birovljev
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Simopoulos
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jakupi
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gordanic
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Demajo
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Trotti
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Falk
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vanmarcke
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Paridaens
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fujimoto
mesh_terms: D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis*; D000398:Air Pollution, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011886:Radon / Q000032:analysis; D017687:Radon Daughters / Q000032:analysis; D012423:Rural Health; D015022:Yugoslavia
chemical_list: D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive; D017687:Radon Daughters; D011886:Radon