[Classification of mines in Poland by group radiation exposure of miners]

The computer data base on individual occupational exposure to ionizing radiation among miners (established at the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz) was used to classify all Polish non-uranium mines (coal, copper, lead-zinc and chemical raw material mines) according to values of the so-called group radiation exposure (in man-sivert units). In total 72 coal mines, 13 chemical raw material mines and 10 metal ore mines employing 246,580, 3,080, 17,820 miners, respectively, were assessed. The analysis of individual annual miners exposures indicated the highest exposure to ionizing radiation in this group of workers in comparison with other occupational groups in Poland. An equivalent occupational group dose in Poland amounts to 1,480 man-siverts. Out of this dose 96.4% is received by miners, 2.5% by X-ray workers, 0.7% by workers of isotope laboratories and 0.1% by physiotherapeutists working in health resorts.