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External radiation exposure of residents living close to the Mayak facility: main sources, dose estimates, and comparison with earlier assessments

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An Erratum to this article was published on 10 November 2004

Abstract

In 1951 and 1952 specialists from the Mayak production association investigated the radiological situation in the area of the Metlinski reservoir that was located 5–7 km from the site of liquid radioactive waste (LRW) discharge. Based on their measurements of both the specific radioactivity in the water and the dose-rate above the water surface, the γ-field above the water surface in 1951 was demonstrated to be mainly due to 95Zr+95Nb. The dose-rate at the shore of the reservoir was calculated for the period 1949–1951. In November and December 1951, the γ-field at the shore was mainly due to 140Ba+140La. For the period 1949–1951, the external exposure of the Metlino population due to the decay of these radionuclides was about 200 R (2 Sv), most of the dose having been produced in 1951. The contribution of 137Cs to external doses did at that time probably not exceed a fraction of several percent. This finding is in contradiction to the assumptions made in the most recent TRDS-2000 system that was developed to reconstruct the doses to the residents of the Techa river. The results presented here demonstrate that the reconstruction of external doses received by the Metlino population as well as by the Techa river residents can be improved for the most critical period between 1949 and 1954.

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Notes

  1. In contrast to current usage, activities in this article are specified in the former unit Ci (=3.7×1010 Bq). This is done in order to simplify the reference to historical records and also to facilitate comparison with those related Russian publications which still employ the former unit.

  2. In contrast to current usage, doses in this article are usually specified in the former unit R (Röntgen). This is done in order to simplify the reference to historical records and also to facilitate comparison with those related Russian publications which still employ the former unit.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mayak Production Association, 456780, Ozyorsk, Russian Federation

    Yury G. Mokrov

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  1. Yury G. Mokrov
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Correspondence to Yury G. Mokrov.

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An erratum to this article can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00411-004-0262-7

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Mokrov, Y.G. External radiation exposure of residents living close to the Mayak facility: main sources, dose estimates, and comparison with earlier assessments. Radiat Environ Biophys 43, 127–139 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00411-004-0243-x

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