Occupational Exposure to Radon

Radon is recognized as the natural source of greatest human exposure and the main cause of lung cancer incidence, with the exception of tobacco. This cross-sectional study of radon exposure in thermal establishments was carried out in two data collection campaigns involving a total of 17 thermal establishments located in mainland Portugal (45% participation rate) with a total of 309 workers (46% participation rate), and was conducted between 2013 and 2015. Measurements were taken to assess the dose rate of gamma radiation, total gamma radiation, radon concentration in the water and radon concentration in the indoor air of the thermal establishments. The results indicate that spa workers are exposed to radon levels inside the workplace buildings that are higher than the reference levels set out in the legislation.