Avaliação dos níveis de concentração de radônio em marmorarias em Curitiba-PR

Abstract

Radon is a radioactive gas that emanates from rocks and soils and tends to concentrate in enclosed spaces such as underground mines and homes. When radon gas is inhaled, alpha particles emitted by decay can interact with the tissue in the lungs and increase the chance of cancer in that organ. By cutting, polishing and storage parts of rocks, marble factory may be exposing their workers to this risk, once every material always present traces of radioactive minerals. The NCRP, for example, consider as normal indoor concentrations of radon until 200 Bq/m³. The aim of this study is to evaluate radon concentration levels of 222Rn in marble shops in Curitiba-PR region. Measures of radon gas concentration were held in seven companies evaluating different working environments. The study used solid-state detectors CR-39 and from the results, it was observed that the concentrations were within the normal range. It was observed that most values were below 100 Bq/m3 and only one isolated case was between 200 and 400 Bq/m3, which could indicate the need of mitigating actions. Studies like this are important to ensuring the safety of workers exposed to natural radiation and serve as a contribution to data on radon in Brazil.