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Occupational doses from radon in Spanish spas
1Department of Medical Physics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain.
Health Physics
|March 23, 1999
Summary
Workers in thermal spas may face high radiation doses from radon. This study measured radon levels and estimated staff doses, finding some exceed recommended occupational limits.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Occupational Health
- Radiation Protection
Background:
- International guidelines recommend monitoring natural radiation exposure for specific occupational groups.
- Thermal spa workers may be exposed to elevated radiation doses due to high indoor radon concentrations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate radiation doses received by staff in Spanish thermal spas.
- To assess radon concentrations in water and air within these facilities.
Main Methods:
- Collected water samples from 54 spas and air samples from 20 spas to measure radon concentrations.
- Measured indoor air radon concentrations in specific working areas for six spas.
- Estimated effective doses using measured radon levels and an established exposure-dose conversion factor.
Main Results:
- Radon concentrations in water ranged from <2 to 775 x 10(3) Bq m(-3).
- Radon concentrations in air varied from <10 to 5,200 Bq m(-3).
- Estimated effective doses ranged from 1 to 44 mSv y(-1), with the upper limit exceeding the 20 mSv y(-1) occupational dose recommendation.
Conclusions:
- Radon exposure in thermal spas poses a significant occupational health risk.
- Some spa workers' estimated doses surpass regulatory limits, necessitating protective measures.
- Further monitoring and mitigation strategies are crucial for protecting thermal spa staff from radon exposure.