Darko E O, Faanu A, Awudu A R, Emi-Reynolds G, Yeboah J, Oppon O C, Akaho E H K
Radiation Protection Institute, GAEC, PO Box LG80, Legon, Ghana.
Radiat Prot Dosimetry. 2010 Jan;138(1):45-51. doi: 10.1093/rpd/ncp181. Epub 2009 Sep 18.
The results of studies carried out on public exposure contribution from naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMS) in two open-pit mines in the Western and Ashanti regions of Ghana are reported. The studies were carried out under International Atomic Energy Agency-supported Technical Co-operation Project GHA/9/005. Measurements were made on samples of water, soil, ore, mine tailings and air using gamma spectrometry. Solid-state nuclear track detectors were used for radon concentration measurements. Survey was also carried out to determine the ambient gamma dose rate in the vicinity of the mines and surrounding areas. The effective doses due to external gamma irradiation, ingestion of water and inhalation of radon and ore dusts were calculated for the two mines. The average annual effective dose was found to be 0.30 +/- 0.06 mSv. The result was found to be within the levels published by other countries. The study provides a useful information and data for establishing a comprehensive framework to investigate other mines and develop guidelines for monitoring and control of NORMS in the mining industry and the environment as a whole in Ghana.
报告了对加纳西部和阿散蒂地区两个露天矿中天然放射性物质（NORMS）的公众暴露贡献所开展研究的结果。这些研究是在国际原子能机构支持的技术合作项目GHA/9/005下进行的。使用伽马能谱法对水、土壤、矿石、矿尾矿和空气样本进行了测量。固态核径迹探测器用于氡浓度测量。还进行了调查以确定矿山及其周边地区的环境伽马剂量率。计算了这两个矿山因外部伽马辐射、摄入水以及吸入氡和矿尘而产生的有效剂量。发现年平均有效剂量为0.30±0.06毫希沃特。结果发现处于其他国家公布的水平范围内。该研究为建立一个全面框架提供了有用的信息和数据，以便对加纳其他矿山进行调查，并制定采矿业及整个环境中天然放射性物质监测和控制的指导方针。
