Solid State Nuclear Track Detectors Applied to Assess Workers Exposure to Radon in Small Scale Tanzanite Mines in Tanzania

Shovi F.  Sawe

doi:10.15392/2319-0612.2025.2829

Autores

Shovi F. Sawe Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15392/2319-0612.2025.2829

Palavras-chave:

radão, minas subterrâneas, exposição ocupacional, SSNTD

Resumo

Os detetores de estado sólido de traços nucleares (SSNTD) tipo CR-39 foram utilizados para medir os níveis de gás radônio nos blocos B, C e D de mineração de tanzanita em pequena escala na área de Mirerani, no norte da Tanzânia. A exposição dos trabalhadores ao radônio foi avaliada utilizando os conceitos de nível de trabalho, nível de trabalho mês e fatores de conversão de dose recomendados pela Comissão Internacional de Proteção Radiológica (ICRP). Os resultados revelaram que os níveis de radônio variaram entre abaixo do nível de ação de 300 Bqm^-3 recomendado pelo ICRP até 5,3 vezes mais elevado. As doses médias anuais efetivas correspondentes variaram de 0,8 a 11,8 mSvy^-1, 1,4 a 4,4 mSvy-1 e 1,9 a 2,3 mSvy^-1 para os blocos B, D e C, respetivamente. Estes resultados indicam que as doses estimadas estão abaixo do limite regulamentar de 20 mSv y^-1. No entanto, recomendam-se medidas para manter as exposições tão baixas quanto razoavelmente possível à medida que a mineração avança para camadas mais profundas, onde os meios de ventilação disponíveis podem não ser suficientes para reduzir os níveis de exposição ao radônio.

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