Investigation of radon activity concentration and dose assessment in subways of Nanning City, China
10.13491/j.issn.1004-714X.2026.01.012
- VernacularTitle:南宁市地铁氡浓度水平调查及剂量评估
- Author:
Xiufang LU
1
;
Yilong MA
1
;
Rongzheng HUANG
2
;
Ziyue LI
1
;
Jiajie LEI
1
;
Lanying FENG
1
;
Zhangfan CHEN
1
;
Xinchun ZHAO
1
Author Information
1. Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning 530028, China.
2. Nanning Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning 530002, China.
- Publication Type:OriginalArticles
- Keywords:
Subway;
Radon activity concentration;
Annual effective dose;
Dose estimation
- From:
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health
2026;35(1):67-73
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To investigate the radon activity concentrations in subways of Nanning City and assess the average annual effective doses for subway staff and passengers due to radon exposure. Methods Sixty-three stations across the subway lines 2, 3, and 5 were selected as study sites. Radon activity concentrations were measured using the scintillation counting method with scintillation vials. Results The radon activity concentrations in subway lines 2, 3, and 5 were 7.9-24.4, 12.0-26.2, and 12.6-18.2 Bq/m3, respectively. The average radon activity concentrations for these three lines were (17.4 ± 4.6), (19.1 ± 4.1), and (14.6 ± 1.7) Bq/m3, respectively. Statistical analysis using SPSS 26.0 software revealed a significant difference in radon activity concentrations among these stations (P<0.01). Considering the data in previous research, the average radon activity concentration across all stations in the subway lines of Nanning City was determined to be 17.4 Bq/m3. The estimated average annual effective dose due to radon exposure was 0.131 mSv for subway staff and 0.033 mSv for passengers. Conclusion The radon activity concentrations in the subway lines of Nanning City were significantly lower than the national standard limit (400 Bq/m3). The annual effective doses from radon exposure for both subway staff and passengers were below the limits specified in the Basic Standards for Protection Against Ionizing Radiation and for the Safety of Radiation Sources (GB18871—2002). The health impact of radon and its progeny on subway staff and passengers in the subway lines of Nanning City was extremely low and can be considered negligible.
