Estimate of radon exposure in geothermal spas in Poland.
OBJECTIVE
Geothermal waters may contain soluble, radioactive radon gas. Spa facilities that use geothermal water may be a source of an increased radiation dose to people who stay there. It has been necessary to assess the exposure to radon among people: workers and visitors of spa centers that use geothermal waters.


METHODS
In 2013, workers of the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine measured concentrations of radon over the geothermal water surfaces in 9 selected Polish spa centers which use geothermal water for recreational and medicinal purposes. The measurements were performed by active dosimetry using Lucas scintillation cells.


RESULTS
According to our research, the doses received by the personnel in Polish geothermal spas are < 0.6 mSv/year. In 1 of the investigated spas, the estimated annual dose to the staff may exceed 3 mSv/year.


CONCLUSIONS
In Polish geothermal spas, neither the workers nor the visitors are at risk of receiving doses that exceed the safe limits.
Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland (Department of Radiological Protection). kwalczak@imp.lodz.pl.
Katarzyna
K
Walczak
Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland (Department of Radiological Protection). jolsz@imp.lodz.pl.
Jerzy
J
Olszewski
Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland (Department of Radiological Protection). zmyslmar@imp.lodz.pl.
Marek
M
Zmyślony
D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D045482:Hot Springs; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D000069079:Radiation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011886:Radon / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis
D011886:Radon
Poland; ionizing radiation; occupational exposure; radon; spa visitor; worker