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Yanchao S, Qingzhao Z, Hongxing C, Changsong H, Pinhua Z, Yunyun W. RADON CONCENTRATION MEASUREMENT AND DOSE ESTIMATION IN NON-URANIUM MINES IN CHINA (2019-21). RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2023; 199:491-497. [PMID: 36840511 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncad036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The radon concentration in selected non-uranium mines from 2019 to 2021 in China are presented. By using of solid-state nuclear track detector, a total of 110 non-uranium mines in 13 provinces and autonomous regions were monitored, and the data were analyzed according to the mineral categories. The arithmetic mean of radon concentration in underground metal mines and nonmetallic mines were 1180 and 162 Bq m-3, respectively, and the standard deviations were 2850 and 151 Bq m-3, respectively. Correspondingly, the average annual effective dose of metal miners was 12.7 mSv and that of nonmetal miners was 1.75 mSv. It was noted that the radon concentration in some metal mines is not optimal in China. It is suggested that the ventilation should be strengthened in some metal mines. Besides, it is still necessary to control occupational radon exposure of non-uranium miners as low as reasonably achievable, and non-uranium mines should be managed by classification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Yanchao
- Radiation Protection Department, Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, China CDC, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100088, China
| | - Zhang Qingzhao
- Radiation Protection Department, Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, China CDC, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100088, China
| | - Cui Hongxing
- Radiation Protection Department, Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, China CDC, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100088, China
| | - Hou Changsong
- Radiation Protection Department, Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, China CDC, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100088, China
| | - Zhang Pinhua
- Radiation Protection Department, Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, China CDC, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100088, China
| | - Wu Yunyun
- Radiation Protection Department, Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, China CDC, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100088, China
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Chen J. A Review of Radon Exposure in Non-uranium Mines-Estimation of Potential Radon Exposure in Canadian Mines. HEALTH PHYSICS 2023; 124:244-256. [PMID: 36607249 PMCID: PMC9940829 DOI: 10.1097/hp.0000000000001661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT A worldwide review of radon exposure in non-uranium mines was conducted. Based on the reported radon measurements in a total of 474 underground non-uranium mines, the average radon concentration in underground non-uranium mines was calculated to be 570 Bq m -3 (varied from below detection limit to above 10,000 Bq m -3 ), and the average equilibrium factor between radon and its short-lived progeny was 0.34 (varied from 0.02 to 0.9). Using the average values from the review, annual effective radon doses to workers in Canadian non-uranium mines were estimated. For underground workers, the estimated annual effective radon dose to non-uranium miners was 3.8 mSv with the possibility of varying from 0.22 to 10 mSv depending on ventilation and other operation conditions. In Canada, the majority of mines are open-pit surface mines; only a small portion of the workforce in non-uranium mines physically work underground where radon concentration can be elevated. Averaged over the entire mining workforce, occupational exposure to radon in non-uranium mines is estimated to be 0.9 mSv. The results of this study indicate that there is potential for workers in non-uranium mines to reach or exceed Canadian thresholds for mandatory monitoring and reporting radiation doses, at least for underground operations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Chen
- Radiation Protection Bureau, Health Canada, 775 Brookfield Road, Ottawa K1A 1C1, Canada
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Santos T, Rocha Z, Vasconcelos V, Lara E, Palmieri H, Cruz P, Gouvea V, Siqueira J, Oliveira A. Evaluation of natural radionuclides in Brazilian underground mines. Radiat Phys Chem Oxf Engl 1993 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2015.04.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Santos TO, Rocha Z, Cruz P, Gouvea VA, Siqueira JB, Oliveira AH. Radon dose assessment in underground mines in Brazil. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2014; 160:120-123. [PMID: 24723186 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncu066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Underground miners are internally exposed to radon, thoron and their short-lived decay products during the mineral processing. There is also an external exposure due to the gamma emitters present in the rock and dust of the mine. However, the short-lived radon decay products are recognised as the main radiation health risk. When inhaled, they are deposited in the respiratory system and may cause lung cancer. To address this concern, concentration measurements of radon and its progeny were performed, the equilibrium factor was determined and the effective dose received was estimated in six Brazilian underground mines. The radon concentration was measured by using E-PERM, AlphaGUARD and CR-39 detectors. The radon progeny was determined by using DOSEman. The annual effective dose for the miners was estimated according to United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation methodologies. The mean value of the equilibrium factor was 0.4. The workers' estimated effective dose ranged from 1 to 21 mSv a(-1) (mean 9 mSv a(-1)).
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Affiliation(s)
- T O Santos
- Nuclear Engineering Department, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, Belo Horizonte 6621, Brazil Anatomy and Image Department, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Professor Alfredo Balena, Belo Horizonte 190, Brazil Environment Service, Development Center of the Nuclear Technology, Av. Antônio Carlos, Belo Horizonte 6621, Brazil
| | - Z Rocha
- Environment Service, Development Center of the Nuclear Technology, Av. Antônio Carlos, Belo Horizonte 6621, Brazil
| | - P Cruz
- Coordination of Raw Materials Control and Nuclear Minerals, National Nuclear Energy Commission, Rua Gal Severiano, Rio de Janeiro 90, Brazil
| | - V A Gouvea
- Coordination of Raw Materials Control and Nuclear Minerals, National Nuclear Energy Commission, Rua Gal Severiano, Rio de Janeiro 90, Brazil
| | - J B Siqueira
- Coordination of Raw Materials Control and Nuclear Minerals, National Nuclear Energy Commission, Rua Gal Severiano, Rio de Janeiro 90, Brazil
| | - A H Oliveira
- Nuclear Engineering Department, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, Belo Horizonte 6621, Brazil
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