Radiological Study of Radon Gas in Underground Goldmine

Abstract

Indoor radon concentrations were collected monthly over a period of one year in 10 different levels in an underground goldmine to determine the radiological impact on workers. The detectors were installed in batches within four quarters. The measurements were carried out using LR115 solid state nuclear track detectors. The results show that the activity concentration of radon in the underground mine ranges from a minimum of 2 Bqm^-3 to a maximum of 284 Bqm^-3 with a mean value of 58.51 Bqm^-3. The highest radon concentration was observed in the second quarter when the season was warm, and the lowest radon concentration was observed in the first quarter when the season was colder. The hazard indices, exposure rate, excess lung cancer risk and annual effective dose from the rock and soil samples possess no radiological hazard if used for building materials.

Keywords: Radon, Effective Dose, Radiological hazard, LR 115, Activity Concentration

DOI: 10.7176/JEES/14-2-03

Publication date:March 31^st 2024