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Radiation Dose Assessment of Thorium-containing Gas Mantle in Consideration of Usage Status in Republic of Korea

Date

2023

Authors

Shin, Jimin
Seo, Hee
Jiyoung, Lee
Kim, Minkyung
Lee, Sangmin

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Abstract

The IAEA recommends various considerations for specific exemption regulation of consumer products containing radioactive isotopes. One of which is that the results of the dose assessment for all predicable scenarios arising from the use of the products should meet the criteria of 10 μSv/y for general cases and 1 mSv/y for low-probability scenarios. It is necessary to regularly review justification of the radiation regulation exemption considering the usage of consumer products and the latest technology status. In this study, we performed the radiation dose assessment on the exposure scenarios according to the life cycle of the thorium-containing gas mantles in consideration of the status in Republic of Korea. Description of the Work or Project The gas mantles are used as a wick for gas lanterns, and the maximum mass of the product currently produced is 3.5 g. According to Nuclear Safety Act in Republic of Korea, the maximum radioactivity of thorium in the gas mantle exempted from regulation is 700 Bq/g. Therefore, it was assumed that the radioactivity per unit product of the gas mantle is 2,450 Bq. We evaluated the radiation doses for all predictable exposure scenarios when using the gas mantles (i.e., transport, distribution, use, accident, and disposal). The majority of the gas mantles exceeding the generic exemption criteria are imported, so in the case of the transport scenarios, we assumed that gas mantles are distributed from the Incheon Import Logistics Center to retail stores via the parcel distribution centers. In addition, classification at the parcel distribution centers and display at the retail stores were considered as distribution scenarios. Currently, the gas lanterns are mostly used for camping in Republic of Korea; hence, we developed use scenarios related to camping. In the case of accident scenarios, not only traffic accidents during transport and fires at warehouses and houses, but also cases in which children handle a used mantle at campground were considered. Finally, the gas mantles are discarded as general waste, and the disposal methods of general waste are classified as incineration and landfill. So, the incineration and landfill are considered as disposal scenarios. Conclusions Although we assumed the maximum activity of the gas mantle for conservative evaluation, the results of the dose assessment for all scenarios under considerations were far below the IAEA recommendations (i.e., 10 μSv/y and 1 mSv/y). Our next step is to conduct dose assessment for other consumer products containing radioactive isotopes.

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Keywords

Consumer product, Radioactive isotope, Gas mantle, Exposure scenario, Dose assessment

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