Radon measurements in karst caves in Slovenia

Concentrations of radon and radon daughters in several karst caves were measured and annual doses for medical staff and patients were estimated. The results show that radon concentrations in caves that are deep under the surface were nearly constant throughout the year. In the caves that were closer to the surface, the concentrations were up to 10 times lower in winter than they were during the summer. Annual doses were estimated by various models, the values ranging from 10 mSv to over 50 mSv for the employed and from 50 mu Sv to 200 mu Sv for the patients, depending on the lung model. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.