§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the mines in the United Kingdom which are affected by radon gas ; and what is the current practice for protecting miners working underground.
§ Mr. MayhewTraces of radon gas may be found in many mines, but it is only in some Cornish tin mines that concentrations regularly approach the maximum levels recommended by the National Radiological Protection Board.
The Mines and Quarries Inspectorate has advised management and workpeople at those mines on the steps that can be taken to reduce such concentrations; with changes in mine ventilation, much has been done to improve working conditions.
The Health and Safety Executive has recommended that exposure levels to radon should be kept as low as practicable and should not exceed those recommended by the National Radiological Protection Board.