Titre du document / Document title

Overview of radiation safety in the tin by-product (amang) industry of South East Asia

Auteur(s) / Author(s)

HEWSON G. S. ⁽¹⁾ ;

Affiliation(s) du ou des auteurs / Author(s) Affiliation(s)

⁽¹⁾ Department of Minerals and Energy, 100 Plain Street, East Perth, WA 6004, AUSTRALIE

Résumé / Abstract

Processing of by-product heavy minerals (amang) from tin mining involves potential exposure to external and internal sources of radioactivity. The radioactivity arises through the presence of thorium and uranium series radionuclides in the various minerals. Monazite is the most radioactive mineral, containing 3% to 7% thorium by weight, while ilmenite is generally the least radioactive mineral containing typically less than 0.05% thorium. External exposure occurs when workers are in close proximity to accumulations or stockpiles of the radioactive minerals, whereas internal exposure occurs when workers are involved in dusty processes. This paper summarizes the nature of the amang industry in South East Asia and presents the results of preliminary measurements of external radiation and airborne radioactivity in twelve Malaysian and Thai plants. Although constrained by a paucity of exposure data, it is concluded that radiation doses to some amang plant workers may approach or exceed international standards and that appropriate control measures are required as a matter of priority. Radiation doses may approach or exceed 100 mSv in situations where workers are exposed to excessive levels of ambient dust and no protective measures are used. Observations and recommendations are made relating to monitoring and surveillance, instruction and training, and engineering and administrative protection measures.

Revue / Journal Title

Health physics   ISSN 0017-9078   CODEN HLTPAO 

Source / Source

1996, vol. 71, n^o2, pp. 225-234 (27 ref.)

Langue / Language

Anglais

Editeur / Publisher

Lippincott, Hagerstown, MD, ETATS-UNIS  (1958) (Revue)

Mots-clés anglais / English Keywords

By product ; Heavy metal ; Tin ; Risk factor ; Radioactive contamination ; Radioisotope ; Thorium ; Uranium ; Mineral matter ; Radioactive source ; Occupational exposure ; Asia ; Dosimetry ; Radioprotection ; Safety measure ; Mining ;

Mots-clés français / French Keywords

Sous produit ; Métal lourd ; Etain ; Facteur risque ; Radiocontamination ; Radioisotope ; Thorium ; Uranium ; Matière minérale ; Source radioactive ; Exposition professionnelle ; Asie ; Dosimétrie ; Radioprotection ; Mesure sécurité ; Exploitation minière ; Monazite ;

Mots-clés espagnols / Spanish Keywords

Subproducto ; Metal pesado ; Estaño ; Factor riesgo ; Radiocontaminación ; Radionúclido ; Torio ; Uranio ; Materia mineral ; Fuente radioactiva ; Exposición profesional ; Asia ; Dosimetría ; Radioprotección ; Medida seguridad ; Explotación minera ;

Localisation / Location

INIST-CNRS, Cote INIST : 9288, 35400006370036.0150