Monitoring the radon flux from gold-mine dumps by γ-ray mapping

Lindsay, R.; Meijer, R.J. de; Maleka, Peane P.; Newman, R.T.; Motlhabane, T.G.K.; Villiers, De

doi:10.1016/s0168-583x(03)01702-6

Cited by 9 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…The common equipment used for each group includes (e.g. Cothern and Smith 1987;Harley 1992;IAEA 1992b;Lawrence 2005):…”

Section: Unitsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The advent of powerful portable computing and electronics is making more complex field instrumentation practicable (e.g. Todd 1998;Martin et al 2004;Lawrence 2005), such as linking continuous radon and thoron devices to weather stations. A radon-thoron emanometer for use in measuring field exhalation rates is shown in Fig.…”

Section: Unitsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…diffuse or concentrated, especially with respect to mineral surfaces), seasonal and vegetation effects (e.g. Dyk and Tan 1978;Tanner 1980;Hart 1986;Kvasnicka 1986;IAEA 1992a, b;Schumann and Gundersen 1996;Storm 1998;Storm and Patterson 1999;Lawrence 2005;Schmidt and Regner 2005). It (Lawrence 2005) is unfortunate that many studies on radon fluxes from uranium mining and milling projects, in Australia at least, have not measured or reported most of the above factors, making only cautious comparisons possible (Mudd 2008b).…”

Section: Exhalation Behaviourmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Magalhães et al 2002;Schmidt and Regner 2005;Ruano-Ravina et al 2008;Zhuo et al 2008) or possible storm variation due to barometric pressure and/or moisture effects (e.g. Lawrence 2005). It is therefore critically important to understand the principal factors contributing to radon and progeny behaviour at any given site, especially over various time scales.…”

Section: Exhalation Behaviourmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The low-grade uranium content of most of the gold-uranium tailings, left almost entirely as tailings on the surface and adjacent to major populations, has led to a major and ongoing radiological exposure issue (Lindsay et al 2004;Tsela and Zituta 2006). Additionally, there have been major issues with regards to radiation exposure for gold mine workers, including underground miners and those in the mills.…”

Section: Gold Mining and Millingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Radon sources and impacts: a review of mining and non-mining issues

Mudd

2008

Rev Environ Sci Biotechnol

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Radon is a ubiquitous natural carcinogen derived from the three primordial radionuclides of the uranium series ( 238 U and 235 U) and thorium series ( 232 Th). In general, it is present at very low concentrations in the outdoor or indoor environment, but a number of scenarios can give rise to significant radiological exposures. Historically, these scenarios were not recognised, and took many centuries to understand the links between the complex behaviour of radon and progeny decay and health risks such as lung cancer. However, in concert with the rapid evolution in the related sciences of nuclear physics and radiological health in the first half of the twentieth century, a more comprehensive understanding of the links between radon, its progeny and health impacts such as lung cancer has evolved. It is clear from uranium miner studies that acute occupational exposures lead to significant increases in cancer risk, but chronic or sub-chronic exposures, such as indoor residential settings, while suggestive of health risks, still entails various uncertainties. At present, prominent groups such as the BEIR or UNSCEAR committees argue that the 'linear no threshold' (LNT) model is the most appropriate model for radiation exposure management, based on their detailed review and analysis of uranium miner, residential, cellular or molecular studies. The LNT model implies that any additional or excess exposure to radon and progeny increases overall risks such as lung cancer. A variety of engineering approaches are available to address radon exposure problems. Where high radon scenarios are encountered, such as uranium mining, the most cost effective approach is well-engineered ventilation systems. For residential radon problems, various options can be assessed, including building design and passive or active ventilation systems. This paper presents a very broad but thorough review of radon sources, its behaviour (especially the importance of its radioactive decay progeny), common mining and non-mining scenarios which can give rise to significant radon and progeny exposures, followed by a review of associated health impacts, culminating in typical engineering approaches to reduce exposures and rehabilitate wastes.

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“…The common equipment used for each group includes (e.g. Cothern and Smith 1987;Harley 1992;IAEA 1992b;Lawrence 2005):…”

Section: Unitsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Unitsmentioning

confidence: 99%