Aerosol uranium mines

Theoretical unattached fractions of RaA using average aerosol concentrations and count median diameters as found in track and trackless Canadian uranium mine are presented in Table III. The reported uranium mine aerosol properties are N 120,000 particles/cm3 and CMD = 0.069 ym for a trackless mine and N =... 

Busigin, A., A.W. van der Vooren and C.R. Phillips, Measurement of the Total and Radioactive Aerosol Size Distributions in a Canadian Uranium Mine, Amer. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J. 42 310-314 (1981). 

Bigu, J., Radon Daughter and Thoron Daughter Deposition Velocity and Unattached Fraction Under Laboratory-Controlled Conditions and in Underground Uranium Mines, Aerosol Sci., 16 157-165 (1985). 

Bigu J. 1985. Radon daughter and thoron daughter deposition velocity and unattached fraction under laboratory-controlled conditions and in underground uranium mines. J Aerosol Sci 16 157-165. 

The characteristic feature of the uranium exploration industry is the radioactivity of all wastes. The quality of these wastes, such as radon, radioactive aerosols, and dust emitted to the atmosphere, depends on mine production and the radioactive budget in the mines. For example, middle range mine exploring the ores with n x 10 1-10 2% of U content emits to the atmosphere up to 8 x 1010 Bq/day of radon. 

In an enclosed space within which a large number of aerosol particles exist, such as in a mine or around cigarette smoke, such Rn decay derived nuclides attach to particles on the order of seconds to minutes and subsequent radioactive decay can occur on the aerosol particles. An array of short-lived energetic radioactive species in the chain add to the radioactive burden of the particle. If inhaled, these highly radioactive particles can cause health problems. This was shown in the case of uranium miners and may be a part of the cause... 

Highlights The broad assortment of samples presented in this section indicates the variability encountered by environmental samples. Uranium content in aerosols is usually associated with health physics considerations in facilities where uranium is mined, milled, and processed or in neighboring communities that may be affected by these activities. In general, exposure from airborne uranium containing particulates is very rare so the environmental interest is rather limited. Bioaccumulation by bacteria is still something of anecdotal interest, although it may be applied to bioremediation. Uranium that may enter the food chain is of concern, and several studies have focused on its content in vegetation and meat products. The analytical methods for all these samples are not unique and even the sample preparation techniques are similar to those described in detail in the previous sections. 

The pathways of exposure that must be considered primarily concern the radioactivity which is inhaled through the respiratory tract and the actual cases of exposure to radioactive aerosols considered include the exposure of workers to radon and its decay products in uranium and other mines, such as coal mines. 

Chillis, A., Lopez, A., Fontan, J., Bdlard, F., Madeleine, G. (1970). Spectre granulometrique des aerosols radioactif dans une mine d uranium. J. Aerosol Sci. 1, 243-253. 

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