Harbin Engineering University, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Key Laboratory of In-Fiber Integrated Optics of Ministry of Education, Harbin, China , zhaohongtao2019@163.com
Abstract: (13 Views)
Background: Underground transportation is increasingly becoming the preferred mode of daily commuting. However, radon can accumulate in the relatively enclosed underground environments of subway stations, posing ionizing radiation exposure risk for staff and the public. Therefore, monitoring and assessment are essential. Materials and Methods: An FD216 environmental radon measurement device was used to monitor the air radon concentrations in 66 underground stations in a Chinese city, including ticket offices, security checkpoints, and platforms. The personal exposure dose was estimated and potential health effects were evaluated. Multivariate statistical analysis was conducted and frequency distribution, Pearson correlation analysis, box plots, and cluster analysis were used to assess the distribution patterns and relationships among radiological parameters. Results: The 222Rn concentrations ranged from 20.1 to 78.4 Bq/m3, with an average of 51.5 Bq/m3, which is below the Chinese standard limit. The annual effective dose and excess lifetime cancer risk for underground station staff due to inhalation of indoor radon were 0.48 mSv and 1.69×10-3, respectively, compared to 0.12 mSv and 0.42×10-3 for the public, which are below the limits established by the International Commission on Radiological Protection. Radon levels within underground stations do not pose a threat to the health of people.
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