International comparison of cave radon concentrations identifying the potential alpha radiation risks to British cave users
Limestone Res. Group, Dep. Geogr. and Environ. Sci., Univ. Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK
Health Physics vol. 67, no. 2, pp. 176-179, 1994 ISSN 0017-9078
Elevated concentrations of super(222)Rn have been recorded in many limestone caves throughout the world. As prolonged exposure to high radon concentrations has been linked to cancer and tumors, particularly of the lung, a national survey of radon in British caves was undertaken. Passive radon detectors were exposed at 250 sites in 47 caves over four 7-d sampling periods. Mean concentrations ranging from 454-8,868 Bq m super(-3) were recorded. In one system, in the Peak District, radon concentrations of 155,000 Bq m super(-3) were recorded. The results indicate that the potential radiation dose from a single 4-h trip could exceed the national average annual background radiation dose (for the UK) from radon of 1.25 mSv.