Dose Conversion Factors for Radon Daughters in Underground and Open-cut Mine Atmospheres

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Abstract
As U will be mined Australia by open-cut methods, previous work on calculating dose conversion fctors for Rn daughters was reexamined. The fractions of Rn daughters deposited on lung airways and the factors for converting from equilibrium activity of Rn daughters on airways to dose to basal cells were recalculated. The variation around these estimates through variability of lung morphology and the depth of the basal cells was discussed. Average dose conversion factors calculated for atmospheres typical of underground mines ranged from 12-33 mGy[milligray]/WLM [working level mo.]. Use was made of measurement results on unattached fraction at an open-cut mine in the Northern Territory, Australia, to derive dose conversion factors, ranging from 50-135 mGy/WLM which were applicable to this environment.