ENHANCED NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY IN POLISH HARD COAL MINING INDUSTRY (original) (raw)

The radiation risk due to the exposure to natural radionuclides, especially to short-lived radon progeny, is a component of the radiation hazard, common in the natural environment and working environment of people. The effective dose, caused by the exposure to radon (radon progeny), exceeds 50% of the average dose for a man from all sources of the ionising radiation. Under specific circumstances, for example as a result of working in confined space with low ventilation rate (cellars, underground galleries, tunnels, mines), the risk caused by radon and its progeny can be enhanced and can reach significant levels. In Polish mining industry the radiation hazard, caused by natural radionuclides is one among many other natural hazards. It is worth to be point out that besides radon another source of radiation hazard in coal mines is radium, present in underground brines. Sediments, precipitated out from such waters, have enhanced radium content and may cause the increase of external gamm...