Mitigation of three water supplies with high radon exposure to the employees.
A comprehensive survey to determine the occupational radiation exposure in water supplies and spas was conducted in the federal state of Upper Austria. The study comprises 45 water supplies. The limit for radon exposure of 6 MBq h m(-3) was exceeded by two water supplies (WS 33 and WS 42). In one water supply (WS 29), the level of 2 MBq h m(-3) was exceeded. These water supplies were mitigated. Prior to mitigation the main radon sources were identified. Mitigation measures were: evacuation of the outlet air of the vaporiser by means of a fan, installation of a fan in the exhaust air duct of the compensating reservoir, sealing of drain shafts and mechanical ventilation of the office. In all water supplies, the radon exposure was reduced to below 0.8 MBq h m(-3) at a cost of approx. euro 750 to euro 1000.
Ringer
W
W
Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Radioecology and Radon, Derfflingerstrasse 2, A-4020 Linz, Austria. wolfgang.ringer@ages.at
Simader
M
M
Bernreiter
M
M
Kaineder
H
H
D001317:Austria; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000379:methods*; D011886:Radon / Q000032:analysis*; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis*
D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive; D011886:Radon