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carnkie
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

17 years ago

Radon kills about 2000 people a year. The south west is one of the worst areas. Now an interactive map has been set up online telling people if their premises are at risk of exposure.

http://www.ukradon.org/

The past is a foreign country: they do things differently there.

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AR
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

17 years ago

It can be a problem round here too - the volunteer staff at Middleton Top engine house can only be present for a limited number of days a year due to Radon levels in the building, although they comment that none of the engine men when it was working are known to have died of lung cancer! Having said that though, I've also heard that lung cancer is more prevalent than it should be in men who worked at Ladywash mine..... 😞

Follow the horses, Johnny my laddie, follow the horses canny lad-oh!

simonrl
51% (Neutral)
Administration

17 years ago

Ooh, according to the indicative map I'm in a high radon level...

Only time underground I recall being warned about radon was on a trip to the Milwr Tunnel where the guide menioned that the place they'd always stopped for a short break had the highest radon levels in the place 😮 So they don't stop there any more...

my orders are to sit here and watch the world go by

carnkie
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie Topic Starter

17 years ago

Makes one wonder how many miners died prematurely beause of Radon during the apogee of Cornish mining during the 19th century. Statistical analysis of death certificates is fraught with danger. Of course it doesn't alter the fact that the death rate was appalling.

Malcolm

The past is a foreign country: they do things differently there.

Morlock
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

7 years ago

Whilst looking for something else this popped up. Any comments from people who know about Radon?

"It has two huge empty storage tanks that were used to filter the water from the rugged landscape of radon gas before it was supplied to the people of Exeter."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5527927/Former-underground-water-treatment-plant-sale-28-000.html

ant89
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

7 years ago

"SimonRL" wrote:
Ooh, according to the indicative map I'm in a high radon level...

Only time underground I recall being warned about radon was on a trip to the Milwr Tunnel where the guide menioned that the place they'd always stopped for a short break had the highest radon levels in the place 😮 So they don't stop there any more...

According to the contractors working in there now, the radon levels in the tunnel around OG area are so high that if you stayed there 24 hours you would recieve your entire (permitted) annual dose of radiation.

Morlock
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

7 years ago

A little more info on Radon in drinking water.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0265931X16304556

PeteJ
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

7 years ago

There are changes to the regs about radon in the workplace. I aim presently working my way through the 190 pages of guidance.(for Carrs Mine at Nenthead). Anyone using a mine as a workplace eg tourist mine, adventure trip location, should be aware of these changes.
I have read that a long term study of some Canadian fluorite miners showed that radon had a great effect on their life expectancy.

Pete Jackson
Frosterley
01388527532

pwhole
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

7 years ago

Working underground in the Castleton area a lot means there's a likelihood of being exposed to higher than normal levels, so I try and keep my trips as short as possible to get everything done. The work we're doing on capping shafts is also being influenced by this situation, with as much ventilation as possible being provided on any lids.

Mr Mike
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

7 years ago

#10

Pete, do you know if Nent suffers from it? I know some of the levels and mines in Weardale where known for it.

And I remember the radon detectors dotted around the Nent mines late 80's early 90's

Mr Mike www.mineexplorer.org.uk

PeteJ
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

7 years ago

#11

Mike - Yes - even in very draughty places.

Pete Jackson
Frosterley
01388527532

Jimbo
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

7 years ago

#12

"PeteJ" wrote:
Mike - Yes - even in very draughty places.

Strange that, in that it is a mobile gas and most of the radon reduction methods involve increasing ventilation under homes and elsewhere! :blink:

"PDHMS, WMRG, DCC, Welsh Mines Society, Northern Mines Research Group, Nenthead Mines Society and General Forum Gobshite!"

AdM Michael
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

7 years ago

#13

Depends if you are diluting Radon with fresh air or fresh air with Radon?

RAMPAGE
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

7 years ago

#14

We've done a lot of testing in Cwm (have to now its a place of work). Figures vary widely depending on the location from virtually undetectable in some places to approaching the legal notifiable workplace limit in others. Nothing proper strong though! Thank goodness. They recon a lot comes in with the water.

A lot of people used to tell me you don't get Radon in Slate but you do. Less than your average Cornish Uranium Drift though.

Beneath my steely exterior beats the heart of a dashing hero

legendrider
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

7 years ago

#15

"Jimbo" wrote:

"PeteJ" wrote:
Mike - Yes - even in very draughty places.

Strange that, in that it is a mobile gas and most of the radon reduction methods involve increasing ventilation under homes and elsewhere! :blink:

Depends whereabouts you are in the ventilation circuit; will be at maximum concentration at exhaust point.

MARK

festina lente[i]

PeteJ
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

7 years ago

#16

Good point Mark. I had one monitor in Carrs level main drive which connects with Rampgill and Smallcleugh. The draught regularly changes direction.

I might put a monitor in a section where the air usually enters the mine, regardless of what is happening in the main drive.

Pete Jackson
Frosterley
01388527532

grover dave
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

7 years ago

#17

Hudgillburn is affected by radon,catmhs suspended a dig there because of it,a member of the dig team may be able to provide more details

allways look on the bright side

rikj
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

7 years ago

#18

Worth noting that more than 85% of all radon induced cases of lung cancer are in smokers. Ex-smokers have a higher incidence than those who have never smoked, but current smokers have a significantly higher risk, up to 20 times higher.

No idea whether the relatively short time spent underground by recreational mine explorers makes much difference.

Hammy
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

7 years ago

#19

https://www.dropbox.com/s/oa345x48edsw3dx/Radon%20in%20Mines.pdf?dl=0

This article may be of interest.

Radon in Hudgillburn, Smallcleugh and Paddy End, Coniston

Edd
50.2% (Neutral)
Newbie

7 years ago

#20

"Mr Mike" wrote:
Pete, do you know if Nent suffers from it? I know some of the levels and mines in Weardale where known for it.

And I remember the radon detectors dotted around the Nent mines late 80's early 90's

I had a radon meter on me on a trip round Brownley a while back and the highest reading was 110 and we were underground for about 7 hours. Would be interesting to see readings from the rest of the mines around there.

'I started reading it with full intention to read it all and then got bored and went and got beer instead!'