Published 1979 | Version v1
Journal article Metadata-only

Radon 222, a potential hazard in non-uranium mines

Creators

  • 1. Institutul de Igiena si Sanatate Publica, Str. Dr. Victor Babes, Iasi, (Romania)

Description

Workers in certain underground mines are exposed to high levels of radon present in the atmosphere of the mines. To estimate the potential carcinogen risk for miners, 7 non-uranium mines were studied. Concentrations of 222Rn and its short-lived-daughter products in air, and of natural radionuclides (U, 232Th, 40K) were determined in rocks and mine waters. The results of 222Rn measurements carried out in these mines are presented. But for one mine, the mean value of 222Rn concentrations in the mine atmospheres exceeded both the maximum permissible value for members of the public, and the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) in air for occupational exposure (ICRP value). The presence of high 222Rn concentrations represents an indicator of the miners' potentiel carcinogen risk, without permitting a quantitative estimation of this risk

Abstract (French)

Dans certaines mines souterraines, les travailleurs sont exposes a des concentrations elevees de radon dans l'atmosphere. Pour estimer le risque potentiellement cancerigene pour les mineurs, on a choisi sept mines sans uranium. Dans chaque mine on a determine les concentrations de 222Rn et de ses descendants a faible periode, ainsi que celles des radioelements naturels (U, 232Th, 40K) dans les roches et les effluents de la mine. Ce travail presente les resultats concernant les concentrations de 222Rn dans l'atmosphere des mines etudiees. A l'exception d'une seule mine, les valeurs moyennes des concentrations mesurees dans les mines depassent la concentration maximale admissible pour les travailleurs directement affectes aux travaux sous rayonnements ionisants (norme CIPR) et a fortiori la CMA pour la population. La presence de 222Rn a des concentrations elevees constitue un indicateur du risque potentiellement cancerigene pour les mineurs exposes sans nous permettre l'evaluation quantitative de ce risque

Additional details

Additional titles

Original title (French)
Le radon 222, agent potentiellement nocif dans certaines mines non uraniferes

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Radioprotection
Journal Volume
14
Journal Issue
1
Series
Radioprotection.
Journal Page Range
41-44
ISSN
0033-8451

INIS

Country of Publication
France
Country of Input or Organization
France
INIS RN
11508292
Subject category
S63: RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGANISMS AND BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS;
Descriptors DEI
CARCINOGENESIS; MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE CONCENTRAT; MINERS; MINES; RADON 222; RISK ANALYSIS; TOXICITY
Descriptors DEC
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES; DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES; EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI; HEAVY NUCLEI; ISOTOPES; NUCLEI; PATHOGENESIS; PERSONNEL; RADIOISOTOPES; RADON ISOTOPES; SAFETY STANDARDS