GENORAD

Obtained results

In 2015 (October-December) a detailed documentation was performed in order to achieve the specified objectives. A standardized questionnaire and a consent form have been developed. Additionally, work protocols were updated and a booklet was created for informing the survey participants (see caption Other results).

During 2016 (January to December) the participants selection for the study was done: 40 women in the target area (Băiţa, Nucet, Fînaţe, Cîmpani) and 40 women in the control area (Cociuba Mică, Gurani, Pietroasa). Glass retrospective dosimetry detectors were placed, along with radon, thoron and decay products detectors for contemporary evaluation and the local water supply was sampled.

During this stage, the work protocol was improved for the film developing of LR-115 detectors used in retrospective dosimetry of Po-210 withheld in household glass. An installation containing acrylic slides was created for storing 3 detectors of 3x3 cm and a PTFE (polytetrefluoroethylen) carousel for inserting 12 slides, respectively. Thus, the system enables the simultaneous developing of 36 film detectors with the specified conditions mentioned in the scientific literature. The setup is self developed and guided only by the specifications mentioned in articles in the corresponding field. The retrospective evaluation of the radon activity concentration of the two studied zones was performed through the film detectors developing. Also, through measurements of radon and radium activity in water samples, the annual effective dose by ingestion was calculated.

During the months of August and September, blood samples were taken from 76 of the 80 patients in Family medicine cabinets. The collected blood was transported, separated and stored in the Radiobiology laboratory at the Institute of Oncology "Prof. dr. Ion Chiricuţă". The first assessment was performed for establishing the degree of DNA damage through two tests (comet and micronuclei), as well as a benchmarking of the repair kinetics.

In 2017, the second campaign of measuring indoor radon and thoron concentrations was completed. After the etching of the detectors, the annual effective dose was assess based on the measurements made (indoor radon and thoron concentrations, radon and thoron progenies concentrations, gamma dose, radon and radium in water samples). At the same time, the two cytogenetic tests were applied in order to assess the degree of damage induced to the DNA. The degree of dependence between the identified DNA lesions and the annual effective dose was evaluated. The obtained results are described in detail in Report 2017.

Part of the results were presented at the "8th International Conference on Protection against radon at home and at work, 12-16 September 2016 Prague, Czech Republic", and Third East-European Radon Symposium, 15-19 May 2017, Sofia, Bulgaria, respectively. Two ISI publications were published and another one is under review.

As a derived result of the present project, two international collaboration agreements were established (prof. Dr. D. Pressyanov - University of Sofia, Bulgaria and Dr. Rosaline Mishra - Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mubai, India, respectively).