The measurement of radiation levels in Australian zircon milling plants.
The processing of zircon often involves grinding it to a fine powder known as zircon flour. As the resulting particles are small they may be inhaled if they become airborne and, since they contain some uranium and thorium, deliver radiation doses to workers. Theoretical estimates and measured radiation exposure in Australian zircon milling plants are reported in this paper. Theoretical doses, calculated in this work, indicate a potential maximum dose to workers of 5.5 mSv y(-1). Measured doses, based on normal work practices, vary in different plants from 0.66 mSv to 1.03 mSv y(-1) and suggest that in the dustiest Australian zircon milling plants the maximum dose would be of the order of 1 mSv y(-1). Measurements, which focused on the dustiest operations, indicate an upper limit of dose of about 3 mSv y(-1). Based on the theoretical and measured doses not exceeding 6 mSv y(-1), workers would not be designated as Category A workers, and probably would not be designated Category B workers, exceeding 1 mSv y(-1), under the guidelines of a EURATOM Directive.
Hartley
B M
BM
Department of Exploration Geophysics, Curtin University of Technology, Bentley, Western Australia. hartley@geophy.curtin.edu.au
D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive; D001315:Australia; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D016272:Occupational Health; D009787:Occupational Medicine; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D017640:Silicates; D015040:Zirconium
D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive; D017640:Silicates; C003784:zircon; D015040:Zirconium