Estimation of effective doses derived from radon in selected SPA centers that use geothermal waters based on the information of radon concentrations
Background: Geothermal waters contain, among other components, soluble radon gas. Alpha radioactive radon is a health hazard to humans, especially when it gets into the respiratory tract. SPA facilities that use geothermal water can be a source of an increased radiation dose to people who stay there...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine
2013-04-01
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| Series: | Medycyna Pracy |
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| Online Access: | http://medpr.imp.lodz.pl/Szacowanie-dawek-efektywnych-pochodzacych-od-radonu-w-wybranych-placowkach-geotermalnych-SPA-na-podstawie-informacji-o-stezeniach-radonu,436,0,2.html |
| _version_ | 1811331062687596544 |
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| author | Katarzyna Walczak Marek Zmyślony |
| author_facet | Katarzyna Walczak Marek Zmyślony |
| author_sort | Katarzyna Walczak |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Geothermal waters contain, among other components, soluble radon gas. Alpha radioactive radon is a health hazard to humans, especially when it gets into the respiratory tract. SPA facilities that use geothermal water can be a source of an increased radiation dose to people who stay there. Based on the available literature concerning radon concentrations, we assessed exposure to radon among people - workers and visitors of Spa centers that use geothermal waters. Material and Methods: Radon concentrations were analyzed in 17 geothermal centers: in Greece (3 centers), Iran (5), China (4) and India (5). Doses recived by people in the SPA were estimated using the formula that 1 hour exposure to 1 Bq/m3 of radon concentration and equilibrium factor F = 0.4 corresponds to an effective dose of 3.2 nSv. Results: We have found that radon levels in SPAs are from a few to several times higher than those in confined spaces, where geothermal waters are not used (e.g., residential buildings). In 82% of the analyzed SPAs, workers may receive doses above 1 mSv/year. According to the relevant Polish regulations, people receiving doses higher than 1 mSv/year are included in category B of radiation exposure and require regular dosimetric monitoring. Doses received by SPA visitors are much lower because the time of their exposure to radon released from geothermal water is rather short. Conclusions: The analysis of radon concentration in SPA facilities shows that the radiological protection of people working with geothermal waters plays an important role. It seems reasonable to include SPA workers staying close to geotermal waters into a dosimetric monitoring program. Med Pr 2013;64(2):193–198 |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T16:13:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ed5570dddc8f467d8d263919bd49c827 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0465-5893 2353-1339 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T16:13:15Z |
| publishDate | 2013-04-01 |
| publisher | Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Medycyna Pracy |
| spelling | doaj.art-ed5570dddc8f467d8d263919bd49c8272022-12-22T02:40:10ZengNofer Institute of Occupational MedicineMedycyna Pracy0465-58932353-13392013-04-0164219319810.13075/mp.5893/2013/0015Estimation of effective doses derived from radon in selected SPA centers that use geothermal waters based on the information of radon concentrationsKatarzyna WalczakMarek ZmyślonyBackground: Geothermal waters contain, among other components, soluble radon gas. Alpha radioactive radon is a health hazard to humans, especially when it gets into the respiratory tract. SPA facilities that use geothermal water can be a source of an increased radiation dose to people who stay there. Based on the available literature concerning radon concentrations, we assessed exposure to radon among people - workers and visitors of Spa centers that use geothermal waters. Material and Methods: Radon concentrations were analyzed in 17 geothermal centers: in Greece (3 centers), Iran (5), China (4) and India (5). Doses recived by people in the SPA were estimated using the formula that 1 hour exposure to 1 Bq/m3 of radon concentration and equilibrium factor F = 0.4 corresponds to an effective dose of 3.2 nSv. Results: We have found that radon levels in SPAs are from a few to several times higher than those in confined spaces, where geothermal waters are not used (e.g., residential buildings). In 82% of the analyzed SPAs, workers may receive doses above 1 mSv/year. According to the relevant Polish regulations, people receiving doses higher than 1 mSv/year are included in category B of radiation exposure and require regular dosimetric monitoring. Doses received by SPA visitors are much lower because the time of their exposure to radon released from geothermal water is rather short. Conclusions: The analysis of radon concentration in SPA facilities shows that the radiological protection of people working with geothermal waters plays an important role. It seems reasonable to include SPA workers staying close to geotermal waters into a dosimetric monitoring program. Med Pr 2013;64(2):193–198http://medpr.imp.lodz.pl/Szacowanie-dawek-efektywnych-pochodzacych-od-radonu-w-wybranych-placowkach-geotermalnych-SPA-na-podstawie-informacji-o-stezeniach-radonu,436,0,2.htmlradongeothermal SPAoccupational exposureWorkerSPA visitor |
| spellingShingle | Katarzyna Walczak Marek Zmyślony Estimation of effective doses derived from radon in selected SPA centers that use geothermal waters based on the information of radon concentrations Medycyna Pracy radon geothermal SPA occupational exposure Worker SPA visitor |
| title | Estimation of effective doses derived from radon in selected SPA centers that use geothermal waters based on the information of radon concentrations |
| title_full | Estimation of effective doses derived from radon in selected SPA centers that use geothermal waters based on the information of radon concentrations |
| title_fullStr | Estimation of effective doses derived from radon in selected SPA centers that use geothermal waters based on the information of radon concentrations |
| title_full_unstemmed | Estimation of effective doses derived from radon in selected SPA centers that use geothermal waters based on the information of radon concentrations |
| title_short | Estimation of effective doses derived from radon in selected SPA centers that use geothermal waters based on the information of radon concentrations |
| title_sort | estimation of effective doses derived from radon in selected spa centers that use geothermal waters based on the information of radon concentrations |
| topic | radon geothermal SPA occupational exposure Worker SPA visitor |
| url | http://medpr.imp.lodz.pl/Szacowanie-dawek-efektywnych-pochodzacych-od-radonu-w-wybranych-placowkach-geotermalnych-SPA-na-podstawie-informacji-o-stezeniach-radonu,436,0,2.html |
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