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Published on: March 11, 2021
Radon dose assessment in underground mines in Brazil
T O Santos1, Z Rocha2, P Cruz3
1Nuclear 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 talitaolsantos@yahoo.com.br.
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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