Radon (222Rn) is a natural radioactive gas formed in rocks and soil by the decay of its parent nuclide (238-Uranium). The rate at which radon migrates to the surface, be it along faults or directly emanated from shallow soil, represents the Geogenic Radon Potential (GRP) of an area. Considering that the GRP is often linked to indoor radon risk levels, we have conducted multi-disciplinary research to: (i) define local GRPs and investigate their relationship with associated indoor Rn levels; (ii) evaluate inhaled radiation dosages and the associated risk to the inhabitants; and (iii) define radon priority areas (RPAs) as required by the Directive 2013/59/Euratom. In the framework of the EU-funded LIFE-Respire project, a large amount of data (radionuclide content, soil gas samples, terrestrial gamma, indoor radon) was collected from three municipalities located in different volcanic districts of the Lazio region (central Italy) that are characterised by low to high GRP. Results highlight the positive correlation between the radionuclide content of the outcropping rocks, the soil Rn concentrations and the presence of high indoor Rn values in areas with medium to high GRP. Data confirm that the Cimini-Vicani area has inhalation dosages that are higher than the reference value of 10 mSv/y.

Radon hazard in central Italy. Comparison among areas with different geogenic radon potential / Giustini, Francesca; Ruggiero, Livio; Sciarra, Alessandra; Beaubien, Stan Eugene; Graziani, Stefano; Galli, Gianfranco; Pizzino, Luca; Tartarello, Maria Chiara; Lucchetti, Carlo; Sirianni, Pietro; Tuccimei, Paola; Voltaggio, Mario; Bigi, Sabina; Ciotoli, Giancarlo. - In: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH. - ISSN 1660-4601. - 19:2(2022). [10.3390/ijerph19020666]

Radon hazard in central Italy. Comparison among areas with different geogenic radon potential

Beaubien, Stan Eugene;Graziani, Stefano;Tartarello, Maria Chiara;Lucchetti, Carlo;Bigi, Sabina;
2022

Abstract

Radon (222Rn) is a natural radioactive gas formed in rocks and soil by the decay of its parent nuclide (238-Uranium). The rate at which radon migrates to the surface, be it along faults or directly emanated from shallow soil, represents the Geogenic Radon Potential (GRP) of an area. Considering that the GRP is often linked to indoor radon risk levels, we have conducted multi-disciplinary research to: (i) define local GRPs and investigate their relationship with associated indoor Rn levels; (ii) evaluate inhaled radiation dosages and the associated risk to the inhabitants; and (iii) define radon priority areas (RPAs) as required by the Directive 2013/59/Euratom. In the framework of the EU-funded LIFE-Respire project, a large amount of data (radionuclide content, soil gas samples, terrestrial gamma, indoor radon) was collected from three municipalities located in different volcanic districts of the Lazio region (central Italy) that are characterised by low to high GRP. Results highlight the positive correlation between the radionuclide content of the outcropping rocks, the soil Rn concentrations and the presence of high indoor Rn values in areas with medium to high GRP. Data confirm that the Cimini-Vicani area has inhalation dosages that are higher than the reference value of 10 mSv/y.
2022
geogenic radon potential; risk assessment; soil gas and indoor radon
01 Pubblicazione su rivista::01a Articolo in rivista
Radon hazard in central Italy. Comparison among areas with different geogenic radon potential / Giustini, Francesca; Ruggiero, Livio; Sciarra, Alessandra; Beaubien, Stan Eugene; Graziani, Stefano; Galli, Gianfranco; Pizzino, Luca; Tartarello, Maria Chiara; Lucchetti, Carlo; Sirianni, Pietro; Tuccimei, Paola; Voltaggio, Mario; Bigi, Sabina; Ciotoli, Giancarlo. - In: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH. - ISSN 1660-4601. - 19:2(2022). [10.3390/ijerph19020666]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/1609099
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