Occupational radiation exposure to norms in a gold mine

Darko, E. O.; Tetteh, Giles; Akaho, E.H.K.

doi:10.1093/rpd/nci300

Cited by 38 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…A recent study of Ghana found mean radon activities in underground gold mines of 350-445 Bq/m 3 , leading to exposures of about 1.83 mSv/year (mining only) (Darko et al 2005). Surface outdoor radon activities ranged from 24 to 41 Bq/m 3 in the mill, tailings dams, stockpiles and shafts/declines, leading to exposures of about 0.13-0.17 mSv/year.…”

Section: Gold Mining and Millingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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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Section: Gold Mining and Millingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Mudd

2008

Rev Environ Sci Biotechnol

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“…Radionuclide concentrations resulting from industrial activities such as mining and mineral processing has not been evaluated in almost all the mines in Ghana. Data on radionuclide concentrations in raw materials, mine tailings, scales in pipes, waste streams and public exposures in Ghana are scanty (Darko et al 2005;Darko and Faanu 2007). Consequently, there is general lack of awareness and knowledge of the radiological hazards and exposure levels by legislators, regulators and operators.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of public exposure to naturally occurring radioactive materials from mining and mineral processing activities of Tarkwa Goldmine in Ghana

Faanu

Ephraim

Darko

2010

Environ Monit Assess

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Studies have been carried out in a Goldmine in Ghana to determine the exposure of the public to naturally occurring radioactive materials from processing of gold ore. Direct gamma spectrometry and neutron activation analysis techniques were used to analyse soil, rock, water and dust samples from the mining environment. The mean activity concentrations measured for (238)U, (232)Th and (40)K in the soil/rock samples were 15.2, 26.9 and 157.1 Bq kg( - 1), respectively. For the water samples, the mean activity concentrations were 0.54 and 0.41 Bq l( - 1)) and 7.76 Bq l( - 1) for (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K, respectively. The mean activity concentrations measured in the dust samples were 4.90 and 2.75 μBq m( - 3) for (238)U and (232)Th, respectively. The total annual effective dose to the public was estimated to be 0.69 mSv. The results in this study compared well with typical world average values. The results indicate an insignificant exposure of the public from the activities of the Goldmine.

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“…The method of the γ-ray analysis reported in published research works 37 , 38 was adopted for this study. The gamma spectrometer used for the analysis consists of an ORTEC GEM Coaxial n-type HPGe gamma-ray detector with ORTEC Multichannel Analyzer (MCA) and MAESTRO-32 evaluation software for spectrum acquisition and processing.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The activity concentrations of 238 U, 232 Th and 40 K were determined in the soil and water samples were calculated using the following analytical expression as shown in equation 37 , 39 , 40 . where;…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of radionuclides and decay simulation in a terrestrial environment for health risk assessment

Doyi

Essumang

Dampare

et al. 2017

Sci Rep

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This study is to assess the natural radioactivity level in soil samples in communities bordering the Tano Basin in Ghana. The radioactivity concentration of 238U, 232Th and 40K have been determined using γ-ray spectrometry, moreover, the absorbed dose rates and annual effective dose were calculated. MATLAB R2013 script was written to simulate the decay of the radionuclides 238U, 232Th and 40K using their respective half-lives. This is to determine the future impact of natural radionuclides and estimate future anthropogenic inputs. The level 238U, 232Th, and 40K ranged from (1.60 to 21.3), (2.78 to 32.2) and (111 to 528) with average values of be 8.65 Bqkg−1, 12.5 Bqkg−1 and 214 Bqkg−1 respectively in soil. The activity concentrations were lower than United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation guidelines for 238U, 232Th and 40K. The absorbed dose rates and annual effective dose were found to be in range of 7.79 to 37.8 nGy h−1 and 9.56E + 00 to 4.64E + 01 µSvy−1 respectively. The overall annual effective dose was lower than the allowable limit of 1mSvy−1 set by International Commission on Radiological Protection. Hex, Hin and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) were calculated and found to be within internationally recommended values.

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Occupational radiation exposure to norms in a gold mine

Cited by 38 publications

References 11 publications

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

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

Assessment of public exposure to naturally occurring radioactive materials from mining and mineral processing activities of Tarkwa Goldmine in Ghana

Evaluation of radionuclides and decay simulation in a terrestrial environment for health risk assessment

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