Radon in Brazilian underground mines
Radon is a chemically inert noble radioactive gas found in several radioactive decay chains. In
underground mines, especially those that contain or have contained ores associated with
uranium-bearing minerals, workers might be exposed to high levels of radon and its decay products
(RDP). This work aims to investigate whether the exposure of workers to radon gas and its progeny
has been evaluated in Brazilian non-uranium and non-thorium underground mines. Any such results and
control measures undertaken or recommended to maintain concentrations under Brazilian occupational
exposure limits (OELs) are documented. The methodology we adopted consists of three main phases. The
first was an extensive bibliographical survey of the concentration levels of radon and RDP, as well
as the radiation dose estimates, considering measurements made heretofore by various Brazilian
researchers and exhibiting original measurement work undertaken by the one of the authors (mine O).
In the second phas...
Source: Journal of Radiological Protection - Category: Physics Authors: Anna Luiza M Ayres da Silva, S érgio Médici de Eston, Wilson Siguemasa Iramina and Diego Diegues Francisca Source Type: research