Assessment of Gamma Dose Rate at Mine Waste Dump

Abstract

Exploitation of coal deposits in Upper Silesia is associated with production of large quantities of waste deposited at dumps. The tested samples from five dumps showed different radioactivity from each other. Radioactivity measurements made it possible to analyze the degree of risk with the factors specified by UNSCEAR such as radium equivalent activity Raeq, internal Ein and external Eex occupancy factor. There is a raised level of radiation in dumps as compared with outside dump areas. In the study area, however, there is no risk associated with elevated levels of radiation in relation to standards established by the Council of Ministers of the ionizing radiation dose limits.