Journal of Mines, Metals and Fuels

Mathematical modelling of radon (222Rn) exposure of underground mine workers: a comprehensive review


Affiliations

  • Indian Institute of Technology/ISM), Assistant Professor, Department of Mining Engineering, Dhanbad, India
  • Indian Institute of Technology/ISM), PhD Research Scholar, Department of Mining Engineering, Dhanbad, India
  • Indian Institute of Technology/ISM), Professor, Department of Mining Engineering, Dhanbad, India

Abstract

The primary purpose of this study is to establish the methods for determination of total growth of 222Rn daughters and 222Rn exposure of the workers at desired places of mines. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the types of radiation hazards associated with underground uranium mining. The mathematical modelling of the growth of 222Rn daughters for a horizontal tunnel is also derived in this paper. Further, an example of the determination of inhalation exposure of miners in a cut-and-fill stope mine is provided in this paper. A critical analysis of the literature review revealed that the radiological hazards associated with low-grade uranium ore are primarily owing to inhalation of 222Rn and its daughters. The total growth of 222Rn daughters are found to be 0.468 μJ/m3 that are calculated based on the reported values of 222Rn release rate from mine walls, blasting materials, fill materials, and the percolating water. Further, it also revealed that the radon contamination of intake air was the significant contributory factor in the radiation exposure of uranium mine workers.

Keywords

Depletion, modelling, radon (222Rn) daughters, contamination, radiation, hazards, porousness

Full Text:

References

Bennett, W.D., Zeman, K.L., Jarabek, A.M. (2003): Nasal contribution to breathing with exercise: effect of race and gender. J. Appl. Physiol. 95, 497-503. https://doi.org/ 10.1152/japplphysiol.00718.2002

Boulaud, D., Chouard, J.C. (1992): Submicron sized aerosol and radon progeny measurements in a uranium mine. Radiat. Prot.Dosim. 45, 91-94. https://doi.org/10.1093/ rpd/45.1-4.91

Butterweck, G., Porstendorfer, J., Reineking, A., Kesten, J.(1992): Unattached fraction and the aerosol size distribution of the radon progeny in a natural cave and mine atmospheres. RadiatProtDosim 45, 167-170. https:/ /doi.org/10.1093/rpd/45.1-4.167

Cavallo, A., Hutter, A., Shebell, P., (1999): Radon progeny unattached fraction in an atmosphere far from radioactive equilibrium. Health Phys. 76, 532-536. https://doi.org/ 10.1097/00004032-199905000-00010

Cavallo, A.J.,(2000): Understanding mine aerosols for radon risk assessment. J. Environ.Radioact. 51, 99-119. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0265-931X(00)00047-3

Dankelmann, V., Reineking, A., Porstendorfer, J., (2001): Determination of neutralization rates of 218Po ions in air. Radiat. Prot. Dosim. 94, 353 - 357. https://doi.org/10.1093/ oxfordjournals.rpd.a006510

Holaday, D.A., (1974): Evaluation and control of radon hazards in uranium mines. National Institute Occupational Health and Safety, NIOSH 75-117, Rockville, Md., USA, pp.64.

IAEA (1989): Radiation monitoring in the mining and milling of radioactive ores. International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA Safety Series No.95, Vienna.

IAEA, (1996): International basic safety standards for protection against ionising radiation and for the safety of radiation sources. International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna.

IAEA (2004): Occupational radiation protection in the mining and processing of raw materials. Safety Standards Series No. RS-G-1.6, STI/PUB/1183, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna.

ICRP (1993): Protection against radon at home and at work. International Commission on Radiological Protection, ICRP Publication No. 65, Vol. 23 (2).

ICRP (2012): Compendium of Dose Coefficients based on ICRP Publication 60. ICRP Publication 119, Ann. ICRP 41(Suppl.). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icrp. 2012.06.038

Khan, A.H. (1979): A study on the factors affecting the build-up of radon-222 and its progeny in uranium mines. M.Sc. Thesis, University of Bombay, Mumbai, India.

Knutson, E.O.(1988): Modelling indoor concentrations of radon’s decay products. In: Nazaroff, W.W., Nero Jr., A.V. (Eds.), Radon and Its Decay Products in Indoor Air. Wiley, New York, pp. 161-199.

Liu, X., Doerges, J.E., Volckens, J., Johnson, T.E. (2014): Aerosol size distribution in the Schwartzwalder uranium mine. Health Phys. 106, S20-S24. https://doi.org/10.1097/ HP.0000000000000000

Mudd, G.M. (2008): Radon sources and impacts: a review of mining and non-mining issues. Rev Environ. Sci.Biotechnol. 7, 325-353. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11157-008-9141-z

Panigrahi, D.C., Sahu, P., Mishra, D.P. (2015): An improved mathematical model for prediction of air quantity to minimize radiation levels in underground uranium mines. J. Environ.Radioact. 140, 95–104. https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.jenvrad.2014.11.008

Porstendorfer, J., (1996): Radon: measurement related to dose. Environ. Int. 22, 563-583. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0160- 4120(96)00158-4

Raghavayya, M. (2005): Radiation Protection in uranium mining and milling industry. Environ Geochem, Vol.8 (1&2), NSE-14, Hyderabad, India.

Raghavayya, M., Jones, J.H. (1974): A wire screen filter paper combination for the measurements of fractions of unattached radon daughters in uranium mines. Health Phys. 26,417 – 429. https://doi.org/10.1097/00004032-197405000-00005.

Sahu, P., Mishra, D.P., Panigrahi, D.C., Jha, V., Patnaik, R.L. (2013): Radon emanation from low-grade uranium ore. J. Environ. Radioact. 126,104-114. https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.jenvrad.2013.07.014

Sahu, P., Panigrahi, D.C., Mishra, D.P.(2016): A comprehensive review on sources of radon and factors affecting radon concentration in underground uranium mines. Environ. Earth Sci. 75, 617 (1-19). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-016- 5433-8

Skubacz, K., Wysocka, M., Michalik, B., Dziurzyñski, W., Krach, A., Krawczyk, J., Pa³ka, T. (2019): Modelling of radon hazards in underground mine workings. Sci. Total Environ. 695, 133853. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv. 2019.133853

UNSCEAR (2000): Sources and effects of ionizing radiation. United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation 2000 Report, Report to the General Assembly, with scientific annexes. Vol. I, 2000.

UNSCEAR (2008): Sources and Effects of Ionizing Radiation. United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, UNSCEAR Report to the General Assembly, with Scientific Annexes. Vol. II, United Nations, New York. https:// doi.org/10.1097/00004032-199907000-00007

WHO(2009): WHO handbook on indoor radon: a public health perspective. World Health Organization.


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.