ORIGINAL PAPER
Estimate of radon exposure in geothermal SPAs in Poland
 
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Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland (Department of Radiological Protection)
 
 
Corresponding author
Katarzyna Walczak   

Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Department of Radiological Protection, św. Teresy 8, 91-348 Łódź, Poland
 
 
Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2016;29(1):161-6
 
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ABSTRACT
Objectives: Geothermal waters may contain soluble, radioactive radon gas. Spa facilities that use geothermal water may be a source of an increased radiation dose to people who stay there. It has been necessary to assess the exposure to radon among people: workers and visitors of spa centers that use geothermal waters. Material and Methods: In 2013, workers of the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine measured concentrations of radon over the geothermal water surfaces in 9 selected Polish spa centers which use geothermal water for recreational and medicinal purposes. The measurements were performed by active dosimetry using Lucas scintillation cells. Results: According to our research, the doses received by the personnel in Polish geothermal spas are < 0.6 mSv/year. In 1 of the investigated spas, the estimated annual dose to the staff may exceed 3 mSv/year. Conclusions: In Polish geothermal spas, neither the workers nor the visitors are at risk of receiving doses that exceed the safe limits.
eISSN:1896-494X
ISSN:1232-1087
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