Gillmore, G. K., Gilbertson, D. D., Grattan, J. P., Hunt, C. O., McLaren, S. J., Pyatt, B., Banda, R., Barker, G., Denman, A. R., Phillips, P. S. and Reynolds, T. (2005) The potential risk from 222radon posed to archaeologists and earth scientists: reconnaissance study of radon concentrations, excavations, and archaeological shelters in the Great Cave of Niah, Sarawak, Malaysia. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. 60, pp. 213-227. 0147-6513.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Abstract: | This reconnaissance study of radon concentrations in the Great Cave of Niah in Sarawak shows that in relatively deep pits and trenches in surficial deposits largely covered by protective shelters with poor ventilation, excavators are working in a microenvironment in which radon concentrations at the ground surface can exceed those of the surrounding area by a factor of > x 2. Although radon concentrations in this famous cave are low by world standards (alpha track-etch results ranging from 100 to 3075 Bq m-3), they still may pose a health risk to both excavators (personal dosemeter readings varied from 0.368 to 0.857 mSv for 60 days of work) and cave occupants(1 yr exposure at 15 h per day with an average radon level of 608 Bq m-3 giving a dose of 26.42 mSv). The data here presented also demonstrate that there is considerable local variation in radon levels in such environments as these. |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Radon, health, risk, archaeologists, Earth scientists, caves, Sarawak |
| Subjects: |
R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA1247.R33 Toxicology. Radon T Technology > TD Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering > TD885.5 Radon pollution G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GB Physical geography > GB400 Geomorphology. Landforms. Terrain > GB561 Other natural landforms: Floodplains, caves, deserts, dunes > GB601.2 Caves |
| Creators: | Gillmore, Gavin K, Gilbertson, David D, Grattan, J P, Hunt, C O, McLaren, S J, Pyatt, B, Banda, R, Barker, G, Denman, Anthony R, Phillips, Paul S and Reynolds, T |
| Publisher: | Elsevier |
| Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: |
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Research Centre > Centre for Research into Sustainable Wastes Management University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > School of Science and Technology (2010-2016) Faculties > Faculty of Arts, Science & Technology > Environmental Science Research Centres > Environment Research Group |
| Date: | 2005 |
| Date Type: | Publication |
| Page Range: | pp. 213-227 |
| Journal or Publication Title: | Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety |
| Volume: | 60 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2003.12.014 |
| ISSN: | 0147-6513 |
| Status: | Published / Disseminated |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| URI: | http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/6168 |
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