Natural radiation in many provinces in Vietnam exceeded the threshold

Many points in some northern provinces such as northern Lai Chau province, south of Son La, Lao Cai towns - Than Uyen, Bao Thang - Muong La . have natural irradiation intensity exceeding the permitted level.

The above places have a natural irradiation intensity of more than 2mSv / year, and even some places are exposed to 5-7mSv / year. The above information has just been announced by Dr. Dao Van Thinh, Institute of Geology and Environment , Vietnam Geological Society at a recent workshop.

Due to geological hazards

According to Dr. Thinh, the Ministry of Industry in 2002-2005 investigated the geological hazard of the Northwest region, showing that the provinces of Hoa Binh, Yen Bai, Son La, Dien Bien, Lai Cai and Lai Chau have many geohazards. Very complicated substance . It is worth noting that the geological hazards caused by the field of natural radioactive radiation in many areas are at dangerous levels. Specifically, areas with irradiation intensity over 2mSv / year such as Lai Chau and Northeastern provinces of Dien Bien Phu city, south of Son La town, Muong Te - Dien Bien .

Scientists at the Institute of Geology and Environment rated the level of irradiation above 2mSv / year at the above points at the level of danger level II.

Picture 1 of Natural radiation in many provinces in Vietnam exceeded the threshold
X-rays at Thanh Nhan Hospital, Hanoi (Photo: Bich Ngoc ).

The area is considered to be a Class I hazard extending from the Vietnam-China border through Nam Xe - Tam Duong to Dong Pao. The range of natural radioactive anomalies has a common irradiation dose of 0.7mSv / year. The points with high dose of radiation above 5mSv / year mainly concentrated in Phong Tho, Lao Cai - Than Uyen, Bao Thang - Muong La.

The reason for the higher intensity of natural radioactivity at these points is explained by scientists in relation to granite and eruptive sediments. There are areas due to excessive concentration of uranium and thorium.

According to Mr. Ngo Dang Nhan, Director of Nuclear Safety and Radiation Department , Ministry of Science and Technology, Vietnam is a country with ancient sediment zone, so there will be many radioactive anomalies. This means that some areas of the country will appear radioactive anomalies.

Do not detect abnormal diseases

According to Mr. Pham Minh Duc, Department of Nuclear Radiation Safety and Technology Management, Hai Phong Department of Science and Technology, survey results of functional agencies under the Ministry of Science and Technology confirmed the preliminary Human populations living around areas with natural irradiation intensity such as in Lao Cai, Lai Chau and Ha Tinh . have not detected any special diseases.

Picture 2 of Natural radiation in many provinces in Vietnam exceeded the threshold
Technical officer of Department of Nuclear Safety and Radiation measures radiation levels in the environment during an inspection (Photo: Bich Ngoc ).

However, in theory, to assess whether people living in areas with high natural irradiation intensity as mentioned above is dangerous, it is complicated by relying on many inputs. In particular, it is necessary to check the contamination through checking the human blood formula to compare it with the previous time.

According to the recommendation of the International Committee for Intemational Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP ), for workers, the dose level should not exceed 50 mSv / year and the average dose for 5 years should not exceed 20mSv. /year. If a pregnant woman works under radiation conditions, the more stringent dose limit to be applied is 2 mSv / year.

' Thus, with areas measuring 5-7mSv / year radiation intensity is still too small - equivalent to 0.8 microSv / h, ' Duc said.

Earlier in 2009, the Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety conducted a survey to measure gamma radiation, measure the concentration of radioactive gases, take samples of soil, water and paddy in the area that were assessed as having radioactive fonts themselves. the highest course in Nam Xe (Lai Chau). There is an area with the highest radiation background here, the Color village (Nam Xe) - over 10 mSv / year. However, the agency said that the parameters show that it is still below the recommended level of intervention.