Indoor radon related with the geology in Romanian urban agglomerations (Cluj-Napoca) (original) (raw)

MONITORING OF RADON LEVELS IN SOME TOURISTIC UNDERGROUND ENVIRONMENTS FROM ROMANIA

The purpose of this research is to provide the distribution of radon levels in three underground environments of tourist interest from Romania (" Urşilor " Cave, " Muierilor " Cave and Turda Salt Mine). This study is of great interest since it identifies the values that could present a potential long-term health risk for the full-time staff (guides) spending extended periods conducting tours or carrying out maintenance within these underground environments and less for tourists. Furthermore, a possible relationship between the radon values and the local geology was disscused. Indoor radon concentrations were measured by using solid state CR-39 type RSKS nuclear track-etch detectors that were exposed from 3 to 6 months. The results reveal low radon levels in salt mine with the annual average concentration below the detection limit (around 8 Bq m-3), related to the salt plastic rock without fissures, fractures and consequently, without circulation pathways for radon into the salt mine chambers. This type of environment is proper to be used for speleotheraphy and spa tourism. " Muierilor cave " has relatively low radon concentration varying between 63 and 172 Bq m-3 , with only one value of 1184 Bq m-3 , as compared with " Urșilor " Cave, which values are in the range of 783-1795 Bq m-3 indicating the need of further long term monitoring by using both the passive and the active methods. Our results are comparable with radon concentration in different underground environments reported from other European surveys, lower than many of them. Geological background of these areas could sustain the measured values, on the one side due to the presence of granitic plutons and even the uraniferous mineralizations proximity, and on the other side due to the presence of limestone and its gneiss and mica-schist rocks basement that causes the low diffusion coefficient of radon.

Annual observations of radon activity concentrations in dwellings of Silesian Voivodeship

Nukleonika

In the paper, results of year-long measurements of radon levels in dwellings on the premises of Silesian Voivodeship are presented. Track etched detectors with polymer CR-39 foils were used in the investigations. As the studied buildings were located in different regions of Silesian Voivodeship, therefore results of measurements were analysed due to possible influence of geological structure or effect of mining operations in places, where given dwellings were situated. Elevated concentrations of radon were measured mostly in dwellings located in areas, where permeable Triassic limestone and dolomite occur, as it has been predicted. On the other hand, the impact of mining activity such as disintegration of rock-body and activation of faults plays an important role, too, because it enables radon migration and its entry into buildings. Beside the analysis of seasonal variations of radon activity concentration, the impact of temperature and pressure on these fluctuations outdoor and ind...

Indoor Radon Measurement in Former Uranium Mining Regions in Bulgaria

Safety Engineering

Radon exposure situations have the characteristics of existing exposure situations since the source is unmodified concentrations of ubiquitous natural activity in the earth’s crust. Human activities may create or modify pathways increasing indoor radon concentration compared to outdoor background. The mining and processing of uranium bearing minerals generate a variety of waste materials containing a number of radioactive and non-radioactive hazardous constituents. Conventional underground and open pit mining activities produce overburden, mineralized waste and barren waste rock, which are generally low in their uranium and thorium contents and are left at the mine site. The study focuses on regions of former uranium mining industries, where the radiological risk is higher. Methods: The cumulative (passive) method was used for the study. The measurements are carried out by E PERM® system. Detectors are placed for approximately 6 months in randomly selected houses in former uranium m...