A radiation dose estimate for visitors of the South Alligator River valley, Australia, from remnants of uranium mining and milling activities

Uranium mine rehabilitation: the story of the South Alligator Valley intervention

“…Results showed that radon and its decay products were not a significant factor in the overall radiation dose, being less than 0.1 lJ/m 3 (4.6 mWL) (Waggitt, 1998); similar results were found from studies of dust raised by traffic on the roads (Tims et al, 2000). Recent work in the region, reported by Bollhoefer et al (2002) has confirmed that the potential radiation dose through ingestion of bush tucker is not a significant concern. OSS operates a monitoring program, which commenced in 1993.…”

“…In addition to the measurement and estimation of gamma dose rates, studies were undertaken of radiation levels in bush foodstuffs (including plants, fish and mussels) road dust, and some earlier radon measurements were also taken into account (OSS, 1992;Waggitt, 1998;Tims et al, 2000;Bollhoefer et al, 2002). The overall impact to the dose by all of these elements was considered to be relatively insignificant.…”

Natural-Series Radionuclides in Traditional Aboriginal Foods in Tropical Northern Australia: A Review

“…According to present estimates, the total committed effective dose arising from water releases from the Ranger mine are extremely low (about 0.5 µSv/year for individuals living at Mudginberri billabong [57]). By comparison, the dose received due to the naturally occurring radionuclide concentrations is estimated to be 1.6 mSv/year for an adult and 2.2 mSv/year for a 10-year-old child (this estimate is based on the Aboriginal diet assumed in [59], ICRP dose conversion factors for ingestion [60], and measured concentration data from several of the studies discussed above).…”

Radionuclides and metals in freshwater mussels of the upper South Alligator River, Australia

“…A dose assessment has been conducted previously for the South Alligator River Valley, using in part a preliminary data set based on this study (Bollhöfer et al, 2002). With the complete mussel data set available, a new assessment of the ingestion pathway is presented here.…”

“…Data were evaluated for the tailings area (Pfitzner et al, 2001a) and the greater portion of the upper South Alligator Valley (Pfitzner et al, 2001b) to quantify the magnitude and extent of radiological contamination arising from the mining activities. A radiological dose assessment was conducted by Bollhöfer et al (2002) after consultation with local Aboriginal people and PAN Rangers, as a response to the potential impact on human health from the exposed tailings.…”