Cost-benefit analysis of prevention of radon risk in Polish mines

Author: J. Skowronek

Radon is the most important source of radiation hazard in underground mining. Polish experience from this field shows, that doses caused by the exposure of miners to radon progeny are the biggest in comparison with doses due to other natural sources of radiation in mines.

On the other hand, enhanced radon concentration can be present everywhere in underground mines, being a source of the radiation hazard for whole mining crews.

In late 90's complex investigations of the possible preventive measures have been finished in coal mining industry and in this paper the analysis of profits and costs of the mitigation measures against radon progeny is described. It has been shown, that costs of the prevention are much lower than costs of health detriments, generated by this hazard in the population of miners.