Radon and thoron in the ambient air of the caves in Bohol Island, Philippines

IF 2.6 3区工程技术 Q1 NUCLEAR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Nuclear Engineering and Technology Pub Date : 2025-05-14 DOI:10.1016/j.net.2025.103702

Angelo A. Panlaqui , Florencio C. Ballesteros Jr. , Kristine Marie R. Dean , Chutima Kranrod , Shinji Tokonami

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Radon and thoron concentrations in the ambient air were investigated in the caves of Bohol Island, Philippines. The study focused on Hinagdanan, Batungay, and Princess Manan-aw Caves to establish the baseline data on current radon and thoron levels and estimate the effective doses absorbed by tourists and workers during tour operations, specifically due to radon and its progeny. Radon and thoron were measured using a CR-39-based detector called the Raduet, which was placed along the cave pathways. Radon concentration inside the caves ranges from 127 to 1829 Bq m⁻³, while thoron concentration varies from 28 to 1574 Bq m⁻³. Results showed that radon levels in all three caves exceeded the recommended safety limit (300 Bq m⁻³), which may have been influenced by cave structures affecting natural ventilation. Despite the high radon concentrations in these caves, tourists are generally safe due to low exposure time. However, the estimated annual effective dose for cave guides was found to vary from 0.77 to 46.27 mSv y⁻¹. If uncontrolled, doses to occupationally exposed workers due to radon and thoron may exceed the country's national dose limit (20 mSv y⁻¹) and may increase the risks of health effects.

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菲律宾保和岛洞穴周围空气中的氡和钍

对菲律宾保和岛洞穴环境空气中的氡和钍浓度进行了调查。这项研究的重点是希纳格达南洞、巴敦盖洞和玛南奥公主洞，目的是建立目前氡和氡水平的基线数据，并估计游客和工作人员在旅游活动中吸收的有效剂量，特别是氡及其后代所吸收的有效剂量。氡和钍是用一种基于cr -39的探测器Raduet来测量的，这种探测器被放置在洞穴的小路上。洞内氡浓度为127 ~ 1829 Bq m−3，钍浓度为28 ~ 1574 Bq m−3。结果表明，三个洞穴的氡水平均超过了建议的安全限值（300 Bq m−3），这可能是受洞穴结构影响自然通风的影响。尽管这些洞穴中的氡浓度很高，但由于暴露时间短，游客通常是安全的。然而，洞穴向导的年有效剂量估计在0.77至46.27毫西弗/−1之间变化。如果不加以控制，氡和钍对职业暴露工人的剂量可能超过该国的国家剂量限制（20毫西弗/−1），并可能增加健康影响的风险。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Nuclear Engineering and Technology 工程技术-核科学技术

CiteScore

4.80

自引率

7.40%

发文量

431

审稿时长

3.5 months

期刊介绍： Nuclear Engineering and Technology (NET), an international journal of the Korean Nuclear Society (KNS), publishes peer-reviewed papers on original research, ideas and developments in all areas of the field of nuclear science and technology. NET bimonthly publishes original articles, reviews, and technical notes. The journal is listed in the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) of Thomson Reuters. NET covers all fields for peaceful utilization of nuclear energy and radiation as follows: 1) Reactor Physics 2) Thermal Hydraulics 3) Nuclear Safety 4) Nuclear I&C 5) Nuclear Physics, Fusion, and Laser Technology 6) Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Radioactive Waste Management 7) Nuclear Fuel and Reactor Materials 8) Radiation Application 9) Radiation Protection 10) Nuclear Structural Analysis and Plant Management & Maintenance 11) Nuclear Policy, Economics, and Human Resource Development