Variations in radon dosimetry under different assessment approaches in the Altamira Cave

Radon dose levels in the Altamira Cave can vary by up to 500% depending on assessment approaches, highlighting significant uncertainty in radiation exposure estimates. The study found that the mean annual radon concentration inside the cave (3500 Bq m⁻³) far exceeds international safety limits for both occupational and non-occupational settings. Researchers analyzed dose rates under four equilibrium scenarios between radon and its progeny, incorporating the unattached fraction of radon progeny (fₚ) derived from particle concentrations. The findings underscore the need for site-specific studies to determine equilibrium factors (F) and fₚ to reduce variability in dose assessments, particularly relevant for show caves with high radon levels.

Sainz, C., Rábago, D., Fernández, E., Quindós, J., Quindós, L., Fernández, A., Fuente, I., Arteche, J. L., Quindós, L. S., & Celaya, S. (2020). Variations in radon dosimetry under different assessment approaches in the Altamira Cave. Journal of Radiological Protection, 40(2), 367–380. https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6498/ab6fd2