title: Randomization of grab-sampling strategies for estimating the annual exposure of U miners to Rn daughters.
abstract: Periodic grab sampling in combination with time-of-occupancy surveys has been the accepted procedure for estimating the annual exposure of underground U miners to Rn daughters. Temporal variations in the concentration of potential alpha energy in the mine generate uncertainties in this process. A system to randomize the selection of locations for measurement is described which can reduce uncertainties and eliminate systematic biases in the data. In general, a sample frequency of 50 measurements per year is sufficient to satisfy the criteria that the annual exposure be determined in working level months to within +/- 50% of the true value with a 95% level of confidence. Suggestions for implementing this randomization scheme are presented.
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*; D000398:Air Pollution, Radioactive / Q000517:prevention & control; D001729:Bismuth / Q000032:analysis*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis*; D008906:Mining; D011059:Polonium / Q000032:analysis*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000191:economics; D017687:Radon Daughters; D014501:Uranium
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive; D017687:Radon Daughters; D007854:Lead; D014501:Uranium; D011059:Polonium; D001729:Bismuth