Radon exposures in the caves of Tenerife (Canary Islands)

Pinza-Molina, C; Alcaide, JM; Rodriguez-Bethencourt, R; Hernandez-Armas, J

Laboratorio de Fisica Medica y Radiactividad Ambiental Universidad de La Laguna y Hospital Ntra. Sra. de Candelaria Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain

Radiation Protection Dosimetry [Radiat. Prot. Dosimet.]. Vol. 82, no. 3, pp. 219-224. 1999. ISSN 4144-8420

There are more than a hundred volcanic caves and pits of various lengths on the island of Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain). The results are presented of atmospheric radon measurements performed in three of these caves and in three pits. One of the caves selected, El Viento Cave, is nearly 20 km in length and is the longest volcanic tube in the Canarian archipelago and the second longest in the world. The measurements were performed over two distinct periods during the year using passive polycarbonate detectors. The mean radon concentrations range between 0.3 and 8 kBq.m super(-3), the maximum value corresponds to a site located at 1850 m from the mouth of El Viento Cave. Possible touristic development of these caves has been taken into account in estimating the effective doses for visitors and guides (considered separately). The values obtained range from 0.3 to 100 mu Sv per visit for visitors. The largest effective dose would correspond to that for guides at 41 mSv.y super(-1) in the Viento Cave. This result would make protection against radiological hazards obligatory if the cave were to be developed as a site for tourism.