Occupational exposure assessment and radiation dose estimation of vegetable-plant farmers to 222Rn in greenhouses of Shouguang county, China

Abstract

This study aims to: (1) assess exposure levels of radon and explore seasonal variations of radon concentrations in greenhouses in Shouguang county. (2) Estimate annual radon radiation dose level for vegetable-plant farmers working in greenhouses. During detection period, the annual mean radon concentration was approximately 286 Bq m−3. The annual radon radiation dose of farmers is 3.3 mSv a−1. Both obvious seasonal variations in average radon concentrations and radon radiation dose in greenhouses are observed. Both levels are much higher in winter and spring than in summer and autumn.