INVESTIGADORES
VELASCO Ricardo Hugo
artículos
Título:
Occupational exposure to radon and natural gamma radiation in the La Carolina, a former gold mine in San Luis Province, Argentina
Autor/es:
ANJOS, R.; VELASCO, H.
Revista:
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY
Editorial:
ELSEVIER SCI LTD
Referencias:
Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2010 vol. 101 p. 153 - 158
ISSN:
0265-931X
Resumen:
Radon and gamma radiation level measurements were carried out inside the La Carolina mine, one of the
oldest gold mining camps of southern South America, which is open for touristic visits nowadays. CR-39
track-etch detectors and thermoluminescent dosimeters of natural CaF2 and LiF TLD-100 were exposed at
14 points along the mine tunnels in order to estimate the mean 222Rn concentration and the ambient
dose equivalent during the summer season (November 2008 to February 2009). The values for the 222Rn
concentration at each monitoring site ranged from 1.8 0.1 kBqm3 to 6.0 0.5 kBqm3, with a mean
value of 4.8 kBqm3, indicating that these measurements exceed in about three times the upper action
level recommended by ICRP for workplaces. The correlations between radon and gamma radiation levels
inside the mine were also investigated. Effective doses due to 222Rn and gamma rays inside the mine
were determined, resulting in negligible values to tourists. Considering the effective dose to the mine
tourist guides, values exceeding 20 mSv of internal contribution to the effective doses can be reached,
depending on the number of working hours inside the mine.