Nuclear Activation Methods in the Estimation of Environmental Pollution and the Assessment of the Industrial Plant Impact on the Citizens of Gdansk (Poland)

Abstract

Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) is a sensitive analytical technique useful for performing both qualitative and quantitative multi-element analysis of major, minor, and trace elements in samples from almost every conceivable field of scientific or technical interest. The NAA method was applied to estimate the atmospheric air quality assessment based on the analytical investigation of rainwater composition in comparison to a moss biomonitoring study performed in selected urban areas of Gdańsk, Poland, during the half-year of exposure. The main objectives of this project were: comparison of dry and alive moss abilities to bioaccumulate inorganic pollutants; and, detection and identification of natural and anthropogenic pollutant sources in this region. An impact of Gdansk Phosphatic Fertilizer Plant “Fosfory,” Poland, on occupational staff and citizens living near the plant has also been examined. The elements, Al, As, Au, Br, Ca, Cl, Cu, Dy, I, In, K, La, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, S, Sb, Sm, U, V, and Zn, have been determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) in the indoor workplace air; in urine, hair, and toenails collected from workers and persons living in a neighborhood near the plant; and from people from the control group not connected with the plant in any way. Analyses of hair and nails was performed at the Interfaculty Reactor Institute in Delft, The Neatherlands, at a 2MW swimming-pool nuclear reactor and at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Dubna, Russia. The essential differences in concentrations of elements for workers and control group were evaluated using non-parametric Mann-Whitney U-tests. Significant differences between workers/citizens of the factory neighborhood and the control group were found for some elements (i.e., Mg, Sb, S, and V), but in the base of these differences, it is hard to define if the factory impact exists. An impact of Federeal-Mogul BIMET S.A. in Gdansk, the biggest manufacturer of slide bearings in Poland, on occupational staff has been also examined. The concentrations of Cu and Pb are much higher in samples taken from workers then from the control group. These results also indicated that hair and toenail samples are useful in the evaluation of that impact. Workers of the slide bearing factory are occupationally exposed to elements, which can be harmful to their health.

Keywords:

• Biomonitoring
• Bog moss
• Environmentrics
• Hair analysis
• Instrumental neutron activation analysis
• Nail analysis
• Occupational exposure
• Sphagnum palustre

Notes

This paper was submitted as part of a Special Memorial Issue honoring George-Emil Baiulescu.