Combined Services Caving Association

Radon Survey Results For South Wales Caves

Summer 99 & Winter/Spring   2000

by Chris Constable

1.      It should be noted that Radon monitoring in caves, in my opinion, is a rather hit and miss science.  We have had greatly varying readings due to position and time of year.  However some caves have considerably higher readings than others do and this has proved consistent.

2.      The Ionising Radiation’s Regulations 1999 become applicable if the radon gas concentration exceeds 400 Becquerles per metre cubed (whatever happened to rads?).

3.      You can draw your own conclusions from these results, if you wish to know more contact Chris Constable

CAVE

POSITION

RADON CONCENTRATION

Bq m3

Llygad Llwchwr Boulder chamber

River chamber 2

High level passage

1293

1716

1374

Bridge Cave Main chamber 553
Ogof Fechan Bottom of entrance choke

Sand chamber far side

First canal far end

448

633

783

Eglwys Faen End of western series

The warren

400

1085

Craig y nos Quarry cave Sand chamber 1108
Little Neath River Cave Canal by-pass

Bouncing Boulder hall

Mud Hall

Far end of canal

1697

2346

2644

2400

NB  My House Basement kitchen 193
Wills Hole Average 300   *
Ogof Clogwyn Average 570   *
Ogof Y Ci Average 2000  *
Ogof Pasg/Foel Fawr Average 800   *
Porth yr ogof Average 120   *

·        Readings from independent sources.

I am at present wearing a personal detector to ascertain my individual dose and will let any interested party know the results in a future newsletter.