Preliminary assessment of genotoxic effects induced by radiation from EAST usingVicia fabamicronucleus assay.

During long-pulse deuterium plasma operating in Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), a mixed radiation field will be generated, which is mainly composed of fusion neutrons, gamma rays, x-rays and so on. More accurately and effectively dose monitoring methods were developed and established to obtain the ionizing radiation intensity for the stable operation of the device and personnel radiation safety. As we know, there is few reports about the biological effects of radiation induced by fusion neutrons and γ radiation, which is of vital importance to the assessing radiation hazards from fusion devices such as EAST on human being and ecological environment. In present study, three positions in EAST hall were selected to detect genotoxic effects induced by nuclear fusion radiation using Vicia faba micronucleus test for the first time. The doses of neutrons and gamma rays at these places were measured by thermoluminescence dosimeters for four times from June 2019 to May 2020. The radiation doses were decreased as the distances from EAST device shell gradually increased from S1 to S3. Radiation in EAST hall resulted in a significant induction of micronucleus in Vicia faba root tips cells compared to negative control, which was different from micronucleus frequency indued by fission neutrons, γ-rays and other kind of radiation in previous studies. These results indicated that there has existence of potential genotoxic effects induced by radiation from EAST which was different from other radiation and suggested that it was not allowed to enter the experimental hall during the discharge process, and the radiation protection measures should be taken during the necessary maintenance to avoid radiation damage. These newly acquired results will certainly increase our knowledge on the biological effects induced by radiation from nuclear fusion and provide good data support for developing more effective environmental and personnel fusion radiation protection.