Radon concentration variations in a Mendip cave cluster

Malcolm Sperrin (Department of Medical Physics, Princess Margaret Hospital, Swindon, UK)

Gavin Gillmore (School of Environmental Science, University College Northampton, Northampton,UK,)

Tony Denman (Department of Medical Physics, Northampton General Hospital, Cliftonville, UK and Visiting Fellow in Medical Physics, University College Northampton, Northampton, UK)

Environmental Management and Health

ISSN: 0956-6163

Publication date: 1 December 2001

Abstract

In caves, radon has been identified as occurring at elevated levels by a number of groups but, with the exception of major show caves, its impact and risk to those who work in the caves has not received adequate attention thus far. This paper details surveys performed within a number of caves in a relatively “low risk” geographical area of the UK and proceeds to quantify the risk of exposure in those cave environments. Radon levels of 2,600 Bq m^–3 have been recorded but this is likely to underestimate the levels in many parts of the cave system for reasons associated with cave architecture, hydrology and aeration. A further survey was conducted within Goatchurch Cavern to investigate the effect of seasonal variations on the recorded radon concentration, from which an average summer to winter ratio of 4.79 was determined. Radiation doses to users of the caves were estimated and for occupational cavers doses of in excess of 16mSv were found to be likely.