INVESTIGATION OF RADON IN THE TURKISH BATH OF EGER (HUNGARY) IN THE TURKISH BATH OF EGER (HUNGARY) Norbert Kávási 1, Katalin Nagy 2, János Somlai 1, Tibor Kovács 1, István Berhés 3, János Bereczki 2 1 Dept. of Radiochemistry, University of Veszprém, POB 158, 8201 Veszprém, Hungary 2 Dept. of Rheumatology, Markhot Ferenc Heves County Hospital, Eger, Hungary 3 3 rd Dept.of Internal Medicine I. Hungarian-Turkish Balneological Workshop Eger, Hungary May, 2004

1. INTRODUCTION The radon ( 222 Rn)and the radon daughter elements ( 218 Po, 214 Po) cause lung cancer. The atmosphere always comprises radon gas. It depends on numerous factors: -geological conditions, -distance from surface of the earth, -part of the day -meteorological conditions 1. INTRODUCTION The radon ( 222 Rn)and the radon daughter elements ( 218 Po, 214 Po) cause lung cancer. The atmosphere always comprises radon gas. It depends on numerous factors: -geological conditions, -distance from surface of the earth, -part of the day -meteorological conditions

The radon content of air can increase at workplaces or dwellings. The Turkish Bath with radon spa merit particular attention Hungarian legislation for workplaces Radon action level 1000 Bq/m 3 yearly average radon concentration It means 6.3 mSv/year by 2000 h/year working time and 0.4 equilibrium factor Recommended standard for drinking water According to EC Recommendation (2001/928/Euratom) 1000 Bq/l as an action level

- continuous measurement of radon in the air at the Török pool, - continuous measurement of radon in the air at the Török pool, at the Pezsgő pool, and in the sister room at the Pezsgő pool, and in the sister room - passive integrating radon measurement in the air at four measurement points - passive integrating radon measurement in the air at four measurement points - sampling measurement of radon in spa, spring and tap waters - sampling measurement of radon in spa, spring and tap waters 2. INVESTIGATIONS

3. Materials and Methods 3.1 Measurement of radon concentration in air Continuous measurement ALPHAGUARD with ionization chamber RGM3 with scintillation cell RADIM-5 WP with semiconductor detector Passive integrating radon measurement Tastrak CR-39 solid track detector Tastrak CR-39 solid track detector (allil-diglikol-carbonate, C 12 H ) (allil-diglikol-carbonate, C 12 H )Calibration In a Genitron EVO 3209 calibration chamber using a PYLON 2000A radon emanation source 3.2 Measurements of radon concentration in water RADIM-3 WP with semiconductor detector RADIM-3 WP with semiconductor detector

4. Results and conclusion The radon concentration and the relative humidity at the Török pool in August 4.1 Results of continuous measurement in air

The radon concentration and the relative humidity at the Török pool in November

The radon concentration and the relative humidity at the Török and the Pezsgő pool in March

Radon concentration in the sister room in November and March

The monthly average radon concentration at four measurement points 4.2 Results of passive integrating radon measurement in the air

The radon concentration in spa, spring and tap waters 4.3 Results of sampling radon measurement in water

5. Summary -The radon concentration in air of Turkish Bath fluctuates between 100 Bq/m 3 and 2000 Bq/m 3 -The radon concentration in the therapeutic waters is above 80 Bq/l and below 140 Bq/l but the curative effect is experienced -The radon content of drinking waters does not exceed the action level - Intervention on radiation protection is unnecessary due to the powerful ventillation