Occupational Exposure to Radon in Thermal Spas

• Type: Chapter or Part of a Book
• Date: 2013

Authors

Ana Silva (Author) FEUP; Maria de Lurdes Dinis (Author) FEUP

Book

Title: Occupational Safety and Hygiene

1º Edition

Pages: 273-277

ISBN: 978-1-138-00047-6

Electronic ISBN: 978-0-203-72965-6

Publisher: CRC Press

Indexing

ISI Web of Science

Scopus

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology

CORDIS: Natural sciences ; Technological sciences

Other information

Abstract (EN): Radon is a natural radioactive gas that may be present in soil air, water, groundwater and indoor as well as outdoor air. Radon is the largest source of natural radiation exposure; it represents almost 50% of the radiation that people are exposed to in a lifetime. Thermal spas are multifaceted projects that have been increasing in the last few years. However, the presence of radon in thermal and mineral waters enhance the risk of professionals being exposed to an additional level of radiation as well as the visitors and patients. Therefore, a growing interest and mostly a concern in protecting people exposed to radiation from radon and short-lived daughters have been drawn much of public attention. The objective of this work is to develop a bibliographical revision about exposure to radon in thermal establishment¿s spas. The bibliographical revision was carried out by searching key-words in several databases and scientific journals. The majority of the consulted and validated studies concluded that the exposure to high radon concentrations may be a threat to human health; radon is the second most important cause of lung cancer in many countries. As thermal spas are an important economic sector with a significative social and historical components, it is important investigate the magnitude of the exposure in order to take the necessary actions to protect those that in fact may be exposed to radiation in thermal establishments spas.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 4