Natural radioactivity of certain spas and caves in Hungary

Szerbin, P.

doi:10.1016/s0160-4120(96)00137-7

Cited by 34 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Annual effective doses were estimated in the range of 9.4-32 mSv y-' for workers in the inhalation facilities. Szerbin (Szerbin, 1996) observed similar situations in Hungary : the yearly mean radon concentration in air is several kBq m-3 in the Rudas spa treatment facilities, and the mean annual effective dose received by the staff has been estimated in the range of 8-34.8 mSv y-1. In Italy, Sciocchetti (Sciocchetti et al, 1990) reported results of a national survey of radon and radon-daughter air concentrations measured at spas on the Isle of Ischia and in other areas of the country.…”

Section: Other Underground Workplacesmentioning

confidence: 62%

Protection against occupational exposure to natural sources

Rannou

1998

Radioprotection

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AH forms of life are unavoidably exposed to radiation from natural sources. Over the past decade, a gowing awareness with regard to potential hazard incurred at work as a consequence of this natural radioactivity has emerged. Considering that this exposure should reasonably be regarded in certain circumstances as being the responsibility of operating management, the Intemal commission on radiological protection (ICRP) provided some practical guidance on good practices in this field in iîs recent publications. One key question however remains to identify properly the situations in which expasure from natural sources should be included as part of occupational exposure and possibly subject to the same degree of control as those from artincial radiation sources. This paper intends to m e s s the scope of the problem and to review recent data reported on exposure which may occur in different workplaces due to natural sources: radon, material with elevated levels of natural radionuclides and cosmic radiation. RÉSUMÉRadioprotection des travailleurs exposés aux sources naturelles de rayonnements. Toute forme de vie sur terre est inévitablement soumise ? I l'exposition aux sources naturelles de rayonnements. Au cours des dernières années, une préoccupation grandissante à l'égard du risque potentiel lié à cette exposition naturelle reçue sur les lieux de travail a vu le jour. Considérant que cette exposition peut raisonnablement être perçue dans certaines circonstances comme étant de la responsabilité des employeurs, la Commission internationale de protection radiologique (CIPR) a apporté quelques guides de bonnes pratiques sur le sujet dans ses récentes publications. L'une des questions-clés à résoudre néanmoins est d'identifier correctement les situations pour lesquelles l'exposition due aux sources naturelles de rayonnements doit être incluse dans l'exposition professionnelle et être éventuellement soumise au même degré de contrôle que pour les sources artificielles. Ce papier tente d'évaluer l'étendue du problème et d'apporter une analyse des données récentes sur l'exposition qui peut se produire sur les lieux de travail en relation avec différentes sources : radon, matériaux riches en radioéléments naturels, rayonnements cosmiques. *

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Section: Other Underground Workplacesmentioning

confidence: 62%

Protection against occupational exposure to natural sources

Rannou

1998

Radioprotection

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“…For example, in a 'hospital cave' in Hungary, variations between <1,000 Bq/m³ in winter and 22,000 Bq/m³ in summer have been measured. In another cave (Pal Valley Cave), the radon level dropped from 2,500 Bq/m³ to essentially zero within 3 hours due to a cold weather front on Dec. 21, 1994 [23,24]. Such pronounced fluctuations can to some degree be averaged by long term (3-12 months) integrating measurements by modern electronic or track etching detectors, but even then a reliability better than 20-30% can hardly be expected, and all values expressed in three or even four digit numbers indicate a profound lack of understanding radon metrology.…”

Section: The First Decades Of Scientific Studies On Radon Sources Andmentioning

confidence: 99%

One century of radon therapy

Becker¹

2004

IJLR

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Supplementing a recent review 'Health effects of high radon environments in Central Europe: another test for the HLNT hypothesis [1]', this review of medical radon applications (in particular for the treatment of painful degenerative joint and spine diseases) covers mainly the first century of large-scale use and scientific studies on this subject since the discovery of radon. Most of the studies and experiences originated in Europe, in particular Germany, Austria, and the former USSR. They have in common that they are not well known in the anglophonic scientific literature, where radon therapy is still frequently considered a placebo-type 'traditional medicine', and not be compared with the drugs such as non-steroid antirheumatics. However, based on the substantial experiences as reflected in more than one thousand papers, mostly in peer-reviewed scientific journals, on this subject, radon therapy by inhalation or baths has been established as an evidence-based effective treatment not only by empirical experience in different times and cultures, but also in randomised clinical double-blind studies. It should be further explored as an effective alternative to the use of pharmaca. Unlike radon, drugs cause serious side effects, with more than ten thousand annual casualties. The benefits in the adequate use of low-dose radon exposures far exceed the hypothetical lung cancer risk attributed to the inhalation of low radon concentrations. Further research could provide better understanding of the mechanism of the stimulating radon effects on the body's defence systems.

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“…19 There are some studies on investigating geothermal water using on a large scale for bathing, drinking and medical purposes. 17,20,21) Due to peculiar geology of the Carpathian Basin thermal and medical waters of outstanding abundance occur also in Hungary. More than two third of the country territory, hide huge amount of high temperature artesian and karstic water in the depth.…”

Section: Radioactivity In Watermentioning

confidence: 99%