Additional contamination when radon is in excess

• Adhered 222Rn progeny was studied in a place with high radon concentration.
• Radioactive radon daughters are attached to clothing, skin and hair.
• Proper clothing, hat and gloves must be used when radon concentration is high.
• A shower with soap is advisable after exposition to high radon concentrations.

A study of the behavior of the 222Rn progeny on clothes, skin and hair has been performed in a place with very high radon concentration. In the past, radon concentration was established to be about 32 kBq/m3 in a very high humidity environment inside a tourist cave in Extremadura (Spain). The results show that 222Rn daughters are adhered on clothes, skin and hair, adding some radioactive concentration to that due to radon and its progeny existing in the breathable air.