ICRP Publication 47

The purpose of this report is to describe the principles and applications of methods bywhich radiation hazards may be controlled in mines. Although primarily directed to theuranium mining industry, the information presented in this report may be applied in varyingdegree to all mines.Miners are exposed to airborne radon, thoron, and their short-lived decay products, to oredust and, in some mines (particularly uranium and thorium mines) to external gamma and betaradiations. In general, the short-lived radon decay products present the dominant radiationrisk. Radon is a member of the decay chain of uranium which makes up about 3 ppm of theearth's crust. Consequently, radon is not limited to mines; it occurs everywhere, outdoors inusually low concentrations and indoors in higher concentrations. In underground mines, theconcentration of these radioactive contaminants, in the absence of adequate control measures,can reach relatively high values.The scope of this report excludes the treatment of the other hazards, mechanical and toxic,that are characteristic of all mining operations. However, the protective measures developed to control radiation exposures may influence the situation regarding other hazards.