Management of Radon in Tunnel Drilling
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 130, Issue 5
Abstract
According to the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) report in 1982, radiation from radon contributes about 50% of all natural radiation sources to the public. The situation is worse in Hong Kong where large area is granitic containing larger amount of uranium when compared to the global mean. Radon level can therefore be on the high side during tunneling especially where poor ventilation is envisaged. This article includes realistic field study of radon in tunnel under construction. A maximum concentration of over was recorded (1 Becquerels per cubic meter is equivalent to ). Radon concentration in tunnel environment is found to be related to groundwater ingress, ventilation provision and geology. A review of the current statutory control in Hong Kong is done as well as its comparison with other countries’ practices. In fact, the situation can be improved through education, adopting control legislation and more specifically, having a suggested radon management plan in every tunnel drilling project.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
1.
Akerblam, G. ( 1982). “Ionizing radiation: Sources and biological effects.” United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation Rep., United Nations, New York.
2.
Cothern, C.R., and Smith, J.E., Jr. ( 1987). Environmental radon, Plenum, New York.
3.
European Community (1997). “Council directive 96/29/EURATOM.” Off. J. European Communities 39, L159.
4.
International Commission on Radiological Protection (1981). “Limits for inhalation of radon daughters by workers.” ICRP Publication 32, Pergamon, New York.
5.
International Commission on Radiological Protection (1993). Protection against Radon-222 at home and at work. Annals of the ICRP: ICRP Publication 65, Pergamon, Oxford, United Kingdom.
6.
Lam, W. K., Tsin, T. W., and Ng., T. P. (1988). “Radon hazard from caisson and tunnel construction in Hong Kong.” Ann. Occup. Hyg. 32(3),317–323.
7.
Man, C. K., and Yeung, H. S. (1998). “Variations of outdoor radon concentration in Hong Kong.” J. Environ. Radioact. 40(2),137–145.
8.
McFeat-Smith, I. ( 2000). “Current and future tunnelling works in Hong Kong for the years 2000-2010.” Tunnels and underground structures, Proc. of Int. Conf. on Tunnels and Underground Structures, Balkema, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
9.
United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR. (1982). Levels and effects of ionizing radiation, United Nations, New York.
10.
Yu, K. N., Guan, Z. J., Stokes, M. J., and Young, E. C. M. (1992). “The assessment of the natural radiation dose committed to the Hong Kong people.” J. Environ. Radioact. 17, 31–48.
11.
Yu, K.N., and Stokes, M.J. ( 1991). “A review of radon issues in Hong Kong.” Research Rep. Prepared for the City Polytechnic of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
Copyright © 2004 ASCE.
History
Published online: Oct 1, 2004
Published in print: Oct 2004
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.