Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 14, 2026
11:13
Mass Spectrometry-Guided Genome Mining as a Tool to Uncover Novel Natural Products
Published on: March 12, 2020
11.6K
Radon in Brazilian underground mines
Anna Luiza M Ayres da Silva1, Sérgio Médici de Eston1, Wilson Siguemasa Iramina1
1University of São Paulo, Escola Politécnica, Department of Mining and Petroleum Engineering, São Paulo, Brazil.
Summary
Worker exposure to radon and its decay products (RDP) in Brazilian mines was evaluated. While many mines showed initial radon levels below occupational exposure limits (OELs), improved ventilation remains the primary control measure.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Occupational Health
- Radiological Protection
Background:
- Radon is a radioactive noble gas present in underground mines, posing risks to worker health.
- Exposure to radon and its decay products (RDP) is a significant concern in mining environments, particularly those with uranium-bearing ores.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evaluation of worker exposure to radon and RDP in Brazilian non-uranium and non-thorium underground mines.
- To document existing results, compare them with Brazilian occupational exposure limits (OELs), and identify control measures.
Main Methods:
- Bibliographical survey of radon and RDP concentration levels and radiation dose estimates.
- Analysis of original measurement data from 52 campaigns in 40 underground mines.
- Comparison of measured values with Brazilian OELs and verification of implemented control measures.
Main Results:
- Worker exposure to radon and RDP has been assessed in numerous Brazilian mines.
- Radon levels in 62.5% of mines were below Brazilian OELs upon initial assessment.
- Improvement of ventilation systems was the most common control measure adopted or recommended.
Conclusions:
- Radon exposure assessment is present in Brazilian underground mines, with many initial readings below OELs.
- Ventilation enhancement is the primary strategy for controlling radon and RDP exposure in these mining environments.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:54Noble Gases
22.9K
The elements in group 18 are noble gases (helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon). They earned the name “noble” because they were assumed to be nonreactive since they have filled valence shells. In 1962, Dr. Neil Bartlett at the University of British Columbia proved this assumption to be false.
22.9K
01:22The Sulfur Cycle
52.1K
Sulfur, an important element in the chemical makeup of proteins, is recycled through the atmosphere and aquatic and terrestrial environments. Found in the atmosphere as sulfur dioxide (SO2), sulfur is released by decaying organisms, weathered rocks, geothermal vents, volcanos, and burning fossil fuels. It is deposited into the ecosystem, cycled through the biotic community, and either released back into the atmosphere as gas or deposited in marine sediment for long-term storage and eventual...
52.1K
02:48Radioactive Decay and Radiometric Dating
37.7K
Radioactivity is a spontaneous disintegration of an unstable nuclide and is a random process, as all the nuclei in the sample do not decay simultaneously. The number of disintegrations per unit time is called the activity (A), which is directly proportional to the number of nuclei in the sample. The decay constant (λ) is an average probability of decay per nucleus in unit time.
37.7K
02:49Corrosion
28.6K
The degradation of metals due to natural electrochemical processes is known as corrosion. Rust formation on iron, tarnishing of silver, and the blue-green patina that develops on copper are examples of corrosion. Corrosion involves the oxidation of metals. Sometimes it is protective, such as the oxidation of copper or aluminum, wherein a protective layer of metal oxide or its derivatives forms on the surface, protecting the underlying metal from further oxidation. In other cases, corrosion is...
28.6K