Assessment of radon and carrier gases in an underground gold mining company in Ghana

IF 2.2 3区环境科学与生态学 Q3 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Journal of environmental radioactivity Pub Date : 2026-01-01 Epub Date: 2025-12-02 DOI:10.1016/j.jenvrad.2025.107851

Rita kpordzro , Francis Otoo , Oscar K. Adukpo , Eric T. Glover , Anthony S.K. Amable

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Previous studies in Ghanaian mines have largely focused on radon concentration and associated health risk, with limited investigation into the role of carrier gases that influence radon transport from bedrock. This study evaluates radon (²²²Rn) levels, carrier gases (CO₂, H₂S, CH₄), and their associated health risks in an underground section of the AngloGold Ashanti mine. Measurements were conducted in two phases using CR-39 solid-state nuclear track detectors and a Ventis Pro5 multi-gas detector. The average radon concentration across both phases was 214 ± 16 Bq·m⁻³, with phase-specific means of 245 ± 8 Bq·m⁻³ and 184 ± 6 Bq·m⁻³. Based on ICRP 137, the annual effective dose and excess lifetime cancer risk were estimated at 0.6 ± 0.2 mSv y⁻¹ and 1.5 × 10⁻³ per million persons/year, respectively, both below ICRP and NCRP safety limits. Concentrations of all carrier gases remained within OSHA and Chart Industries recommended exposure limits. Principal component analysis indicated that methane and hydrogen sulfide significantly influence radon distribution with Eigenvalue >1, Overall, the findings suggest that the current levels of radon and carrier gases in the mine do not pose significant health risks to underground workers.

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加纳地下金矿公司氡和载气的评估。

以前对加纳矿山的研究主要集中在氡浓度和相关的健康风险上，对影响基岩氡输送的载气的作用进行了有限的调查。本研究评估了AngloGold Ashanti矿井地下部分的氡（222Rn）水平、载气（CO2、H2S、CH4）及其相关健康风险。使用CR-39固体核径迹探测器和Ventis Pro5多气体探测器分两阶段进行测量。两相平均氡浓度分别为214±16 Bq·m-3和184±6 Bq·m-3。根据ICRP 137，估计年有效剂量和超额终身癌症风险分别为0.6±0.2 mSv -1和1.5 × 10-3 /百万人/年，均低于ICRP和NCRP的安全限值。所有载气浓度保持在OSHA和Chart Industries推荐的暴露限值之内。主成分分析表明，甲烷和硫化氢显著影响氡分布，特征值为>1。总体而言，研究结果表明，矿井中目前的氡和载气水平不会对井下工人构成重大健康风险。

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

Journal of environmental radioactivity 环境科学-环境科学

CiteScore

4.70

自引率

13.00%

发文量

209

审稿时长

73 days

期刊介绍： The Journal of Environmental Radioactivity provides a coherent international forum for publication of original research or review papers on any aspect of the occurrence of radioactivity in natural systems. Relevant subject areas range from applications of environmental radionuclides as mechanistic or timescale tracers of natural processes to assessments of the radioecological or radiological effects of ambient radioactivity. Papers deal with naturally occurring nuclides or with those created and released by man through nuclear weapons manufacture and testing, energy production, fuel-cycle technology, etc. Reports on radioactivity in the oceans, sediments, rivers, lakes, groundwaters, soils, atmosphere and all divisions of the biosphere are welcomed, but these should not simply be of a monitoring nature unless the data are particularly innovative.