Caves

Since 1994 the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland has been conducting a pilot programme ofpersonal monitoring of workers in workplaces with high radon concentrations. Initially theprogramme involved staff employed by the operators of commercial show caves, but in January 1999it was extended to incorporate non-show cave workers when employees in aboveground offices in twosmall Departments in an Irish University were included.Personal monitoring of show cave staff confirmed the fact that employees in two caves receivedannual radiation doses in excess of 4 mSv.

Raised radon gas levels are known to exist in mines and Show Caves, and in the United Kingdomthe Ionising Radiations Regulations 1985 require the employer to take action to reduce radonlevels by improving ventilation or restricting access, because significant radiation doses can bereceived by workers.In the Mendip Hills, where the underlying rock gives rise to raised radon levels in domesticdwellings, there are a number of cave systems with unrestricted access to recreational cavers;including youth groups.