Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
8083251 | Journal of Environmental Radioactivity | 2013 | 6 Pages |
Abstract
Assessments of radon and gamma radiation levels were carried out in underground artisanal gold mines in Tongo. This is one of the numerous artisanal gold mining communities in Ghana. Solid State Nuclear Track Detectors (SSNTDs) were used to estimate the mean 222Rn concentration and dose rates during the Harmattan season (November 2010 to February 2011). The values for the 222Rn concentration at each monitoring site ranged from 14 ± 4 Bq mâ3 to 270 ± 9 Bq mâ3, with a mean value of 98 Bq mâ3. These measurements are well below the lower action level of 500 Bq mâ3 recommended by ICRP for workplaces. The activity concentrations of 40K, 232Th and 238U were determined using gamma-ray spectroscopy method. The effective dose estimates of 0.11 ± 0.02 mSv yâ1 to 0.68 ± 0.04 mSv yâ1 were below the allowable limit of 20 mSv per annum for occupational exposure control recommended by the ICRP. The total annual effective dose varied from 0.22 ± 0.04 mSv yâ1 to 1.92 ± 0.08 mSv yâ1.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Energy
Nuclear Energy and Engineering
Authors
I. Doyi, O.C. Oppon, E.T. Glover, G. Gbeddy, W. Kokroko,