Polonium in size fractionated mainstream cigarette smoke, predicted deposition and associated internal radiation dose.
In this study, size fractionated mass and210Po activity concentrations in mainstream cigarette smoke (MCS) were monitored for three popular cigarette brands. Size segregated collection of MCS was carried out using a cascade type impactor, while mass and210Po activity concentration were analyzed gravimetrically and alpha spectrometry (following the radiochemical separation) respectively. Multiple-Path Particle Dosimetry (MPPD V2.11) model is used for prediction of deposition fraction calculations for the MCS deposition in different compartment of human respiratory tract. The activity concentration of210Po is founds 10.56 ± 2.46 mBq per cigarette for the tested cigarette brands.210Po size distribution indicates most of this associates with fine fraction (Dp < 2.23 μm) of cigarette smoke. The committed annual effective dose to smokers (smoking on an average 20 cigarette a day), considering the210Po and210Pb concentrations (assuming it is in secular equilibrium with210Po) in MCS, was estimated between 0.22 and 0.40 mSv, with mean value of 0.30 mSv for tested cigarette brands. Considering the risk factor of fatal cancer due to radiation exposure of lung (exposure time of 30 years); the average collective estimated fatal cancer risk is estimated as 1.5 × 10-4due to210Po and210Pb exposure to smokers.
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Section, Health Safety and Environment Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400085, India.
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Tiwari
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Section, Health Safety and Environment Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400085, India.
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Sahu
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Section, Health Safety and Environment Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400085, India.
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Bhangare
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Section, Health Safety and Environment Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400085, India. Electronic address: ggp@barc.gov.in.
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Pandit
D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D007856:Lead Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects; D011059:Polonium / Q000032:analysis*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000009:adverse effects
D007856:Lead Radioisotopes; D011059:Polonium
Cigarette smoke; Lung cancer; Polonium; Radiation dose; Respiratory tract