Application of molecular techniques to elucidate the influence of cellulosic waste on the bacterial community structure at a simulated low-level-radioactive-waste site.
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Denitrifying bacteria from the genus Rhodanobacter dominate bacterial communities in the highly contaminated subsurface of a nuclear legacy waste site.
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Model for inactivation and disposal of infectious human immunodeficiency virus and radioactive waste in a BL3 facility.
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A method is described for autoclaving low levels of solid infectious, radioactive waste. The method permits steam penetration to inactivate biologic waste, while any volatile radioactive compounds generated during the autoclave process are absorbed. Inactivation of radiolabeled infectious waste has been problematic because the usual sterilization techniques result in unacceptable radiation handling practices. If autoclaved under the usual conditions, there exists a high probability of volatilization or release of radioisotopes from the waste. This results in the radioactive contamination of the autoclave and the laboratory area where steam is released from the autoclave. Our results provide a practical method to inactivate and dispose of infectious radioactive waste. For our research, Bacillus pumilus spore strips and vaccinia virus were used as more heat-resistant surrogates of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). These surrogates were used because HIV is difficult to grow under most conditions and is less heat tolerant than the surrogates. In addition, B. pumilus has defined cell death values, whereas such values have not been established for HIV. Both B. pumilus and vaccinia virus are less hazardous to work with. The autoclave method is time efficient and can be performed by laboratory personnel with minimal handling of the waste. Furthermore, waste site handlers are able to visually inspect the solid waste containers and ascertain that inactivation procedures have been implemented. (+info)
Health effects of a thorium waste disposal site.
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A case-control study of 112 households residing in the vicinity of a thorium waste disposal site found a higher prevalence of birth defects (RR 2.1) and liver diseases (RR 2.3) among exposed than the unexposed group. The numbers were quite small and the confidence intervals wide, however, so that no definite conclusions can be drawn from these data. (+info)
Conceptus uptake of the 106RuNO-nitro complex in relation to gestational stages.
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106RuNO-nitro complex was administered intravenously to pregnant rats to study uptake of the radioruthenium complex by the conceptus in relation to gestational stages. Each conceptus was sampled periodically with respect to its placenta, fetal membrane, fetal fluid and fetus. Perceptible radioactivity in the fetus was detected only in the later stage of gestation and its relative concentration, defined as the ratio radioactivity per unit weight in the body tissue at sacrifice to that in the whole-body at dosing, was very low compared with other tissues. The average number of fetuses in one litter was 13 and the transfer rate of nitro complex into the fetuses 24 hr after injection to rats on the 20th day of gestation was about 1% of initial maternal dose. The relative concentration in the placenta and fetal membrane was much higher than in the fetus and decreased with time after injection. These results indicate that the placenta and fetal membrane play significant roles as barriers to the transfer of 106RuNO-nitro complex into the fetus. (+info)
Microbial reduction of Fe(III) under alkaline conditions relevant to geological disposal.
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