Comparison of various methods of estimating radon dose at underground workplaces in wineries

Abstract

Levels of radon were surveyed in the air at underground workplaces of eight major Slovenian wineries. Geometric mean and geometric standard deviation values, respectively, obtained with different devices were 81 Bq m(-3) and 2.3 with alpha scintillation cells, 114 Bq m(-3) and 2.0 by exposing etched track detectors for 1-5 months, and 183 Bq m(-3) and 2.6 from 1-4-weeks continuous measurements. The equilibrium factor was 0.25-0.67, and the unattached fraction of radon short-lived decay products was in the range 0.09-0.20. Effective doses were calculated and compared based on radon data obtained with different techniques.

Nano Particles Including Radon Decay Products in Ambient Air

“…In addition to elevated radon levels, as found in many caves worldwide (Hakl et al, 1997;Cigna, 2005;Field, 2007;Vaupotič, 2010;Kávási et al, 2010), f un values are also high (Vaupotič, 2008b), as also in some other caves (Cheng et al, 1997;Sainz et al, 2007;Thinová & Burian, 2008). They are considerably higher than in Slovenian kindergartens (Vaupotič, 2007), schools (Vaupotič & Kobal, 2006) and wineries (Vaupotič, 2008a). Preliminary measurements showed (Butterweck et al, 1992) that the activity size distribution of RnDP was bimodal, with the unattached fraction in the range 1.3-6.0 nm and the attached, 119-289 nm.…”

Radon in Us Workplaces: A Review

“…In another study, measurements of indoor radon concentrations in 22 underground rooms of eight Slovenian wineries ranged from 0.03 to 1.0 kBq m −3 . The estimated maximum effective dose to winery workers was about 6 mSv·y −1 (66) .…”

Assessment of occupational exposure from radon in the newly formed underground tourist route under Książ castle, Poland

“…These sites are very often restored historic sites (including technological or military heritage sites like underground fortresses, tunnels, shelters, pyramids, tombs, castles, wineries) where underground tourist routes are organized. As a result, more and more people—mainly service staff and guides, sometimes speleologists or researchers—are working in conditions of increased exposure to ionising radiation from radon (mainly from the radioisotope 222 Rn) and its, also radioactive, progeny (Przylibski and Fijałkowska-Lichwa 2017a , 2017b , 2018a , b , c , d , 2019 ; Hafez and Hussein 2001 ; Hafez et al 2003 ; Martinez et al 2005 ; Vaupotič 2008 ; Abdelzaher 2011 ; Youssef and Hanfi 2019 ; Wysocka 2011 ; Gruber et al 2011 ; Walczak et al 2017 ; Ambrosino et al 2020a , b ). In Poland, increasingly underground tourist facilities are being created in the area of Lower Silesia, especially in the Sudetes and the Sudetic Foreland.…”