Obligatory measurements of the potential alpha energy concentration of short-lived radon progeny have been performing in the Polish underground mines since 1989. In consideration of economic aspects, an attempt was made from the very beginning to combine it with measurements of the dust concentration. Therefore the developed measuring units were an integral part of the dust samplers complying with the requirements of the State Mining Authority to apply them in underground mines. This way the developed devices could fulfil two measurement tasks simultaneously: measurement of the dust concentration and potential alpha energy concentration of short-lived radon progeny. The new device based on the thermoluminescence detectors is able to cooperate with the dust samplers made by the SKC company and equipped with a cyclone making it possible to operate them constantly for one working day. The lower limit of detection was equal about 0.04 microJ m(-3) at a 95% confidence level and 1 h pumping.
Abstract. The radiation risk due to the exposure to natural radionuclides, especially to short-lived radon progeny, is a component of the radiation hazard, common in the natural environment and working environment. In Polish mining industry the radiation hazard, caused by natural radionuclides is the natural hazard. Radon in air and radium present in underground brines are sources of radiation hazards. Sediments precipitated out from such waters with enhanced radium content may cause the increase of external gamma radiation dose rate as well as internal contamination due to accidental ingestion or inhalation.Investigation of that specific problem has been started in hard coal underground mines in Poland in early 1970's. At the end of 1980's first regulation was issued. Dose limits and requirements of the radiation monitoring have been established, internal regulations for monitoring and mitigation measures were developed on the basis of the Polish standard. The monitoring and prevention against natural radiation is obligatory in all Polish underground mines since 1989. This duty is strictly supervised by local offices of State Mining Authority in co-operation with other governmental agencies.
Highly mineralized waters with salt content up to 200 kg/mJ occur in carboniferous strata in upper Silesia. These waters ojien contain high " 6~a concentration, reaching 400 kBq/mJ, andflow from the surrounding rocks into mine workings and then have to be pumped out to the surface, finally ending in the rivers. Radium-bearing waters of rype A contain significant amounts of barium ions. In these cases radium is easily co-precipitated with barium in the form of BaSO, + RaSO,.The specific radioactivity of such deposits can be as high as I MBq/kg. Radioactive deposits cause elevated gamma radiation levels up to 200 pA/kg and also some elevation of radon daughter concentrations in air. Usually the contamination is limited to small areas lying near streambeds where radium-bearing waters haveflowed. Nevenheless, waste materials from coal mines may cause significant radioactive pollution of the natural environment. In carboniferous strata, so-called radiumbearing waters of rype B occur. These waters contain considerable amounts of sulfates but do not contain L3a2+ ions. In type B waters the concentration of 2 2 6~a reaches 12 k~~/ m ' .In this case there are no chemical conditions for forming highly radioactive deposits.
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