Controlling Employee Exposure To Alpha Radiation In Underground Uranium Mines

This Safety Report has been developed as part of the IAEA programme on occupational radiation protection to provide for the application of its safety standards in implementing a graded approach to the protection of workers against exposures associated with uranium mining and processing. The publication describes the methods of production associated with the uranium industry and provides practical information on the radiological risks to workers in the exploration, mining and processing of uranium. It is a compilation of detailed information on uranium mining and processing stages and techniques, general radiation protection considerations in the relevant industry, general methodologies applicable for control, monitoring and dose assessment, exposure pathways, and radiation protection programmes for a range of commonly used mining and processing techniques.

Considers levels of radiation to which uranium miners are exposed, radiation monitoring standards, and health implications of uranium radiation exposure, including its possible relation to lung cancer.

Discusses effectiveness of uranium mine radiation safety standards, and Federal Radiation Council efforts to establish official radiation exposure safety standards for uranium miners. Includes Resource Management Corp. report UR-042 "Control of Radiation Exposure in Uranium Mines: A Cost and Economic Analysis," Nov. 4, 1968 (p. 223-299).