Abstract
Workers involved in mining and processing naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) are potentially exposed to dust containing alpha particle emitters. The objective of this study is to summarize the key impacts of the latest International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) biokinetic model for thorium ore dust intake and to identify model parameters that require further investigation. The dosimetric significance of thorium ore dust exposure has varied widely over time owing to progressive changes in the inhalation dose coefficients. These changes had a significant influence on radiation protection practices in the Western Australian mineral sand industry, including research initiatives and implementation of control measures. Estimated doses to workers exposed to NORM dust have increased because of the most recent ICRP recommendations. Consequently, we highlight the need for future research, especially in relation to appropriate model input parameters specific to the NORM exposure situation and potential studies investigating the health status of past long-Term workers.
Document Type
Journal Article
Volume
201
Issue
6
Funding Information
Australian Government Research Training Program
PubMed ID
40173079
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences
RAS ID
78814
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Publisher
Oxford Academic
Identifier
Gregory S. Hewson: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-0872-9288
Martin I. Ralph: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5893-6886
Marcus Cattani: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7586-7288
Comments
Hewson, G. S., Ralph, M. I., & Cattani, M. (2025). Impact of changes to International Commission on Radiological Protection models on occupational thorium ore dust intake. Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 201(6), 420-431. https://doi.org/10.1093/rpd/ncaf031