scholarly journals Radon Hazard in Central Italy: Comparison among Areas with Different Geogenic Radon Potential

2022 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 666
Author(s):  
Francesca Giustini ◽  
Livio Ruggiero ◽  
Alessandra Sciarra ◽  
Stan Eugene Beaubien ◽  
Stefano Graziani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Indoor Radon ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Reference Value ◽  
Soil Gas ◽  
Lazio Region ◽  
Risk Levels ◽  
Radionuclide Content ◽  
Radon Potential ◽  
Radon Risk ◽  
The Eu

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.

scholarly journals Application of airborne radiometric surveys for large-scale geogenic radon potential classification

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Elío ◽  
Quentin Crowley ◽  
Ray Scanlon ◽  
Jim Hodgson ◽  
Stephanie Long ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Radon Concentration ◽  
Indoor Radon ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Soil Gas ◽  
Soil Gas Radon ◽  
Risk Areas ◽  
Radon Potential ◽  
Radon Risk

Background: Indoor radon represents an important health issue to the general population. Therefore, accurate radon risk maps help public authorities to prioritise areas where mitigation actions should be implemented. As the main source of indoor radon is the soil where the building is constructed, maps derived from geogenic factors ([e.g. geogenic radon potential [GRP]) are viewed as valuable tools for radon mapping. Objectives: A novel indirect method for estimating the GRP at national/regional level is presented and evaluated in this article. Design: We calculate the radon risk solely based on the radon concentration in the soil and on the subsoil permeability. The soil gas radon concentration was estimated using airborne gamma-ray spectrometry (i.e. equivalent uranium [eU]), assuming a secular equilibrium between eU and radium (226Ra). The subsoil permeability was estimated based on groundwater subsoil permeability and superficial geology (i.e. quaternary geology) by assigning a permeability category to each soil type (i.e. low, moderate or high). Soil gas predictions were compared with in situ radon measurements for representative areas, and the resulting GRP map was validated with independent indoor radon data. Results: There was good agreement between soil gas radon predictions and in situ measurements, and the resultant GRP map identifies potential radon risk areas. Our model shows that the probability of having an indoor radon concentration higher than the Irish reference level (200 Bq m-3) increases from c. 6% (5.2% – 7.1%) for an area classified as Low risk, to c. 9.7% (9.1% – 10.5%) for Moderate-Low risk areas, c. 14% (13.4% – 15.3%) for Moderate-High risk areas and c. 26% (24.5% – 28.6%) for High risk areas. Conclusions: The method proposed here is a potential alternative approach for radon mapping when airborne radiometric data (i.e. eU) are available.

Geogenic radon potential mapping using geospatial analysis of multiple radon-related variables: a case study from Southeastern Ireland

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirsina Mousavi ◽  
Quentin Crowley
Keyword(s):  
Regression Model ◽  
Radon Concentration ◽  
Indoor Radon ◽  
Spatial Regression ◽  
Geostatistical Analysis ◽  
Soil Gas ◽  
Natural Radiation ◽  
Spatial Regression Model ◽  
Soil Gas Radon ◽  
Radon Potential

<p>A detailed investigation of geogenic radon potential (GRP) was carried out using geostatistical analysis on multiple radon-related variables to evaluate natural radiation in an area of Southeast Ireland. The geological setting of the study area includes basal Devonian sandstones and conglomerates overlying an offshoot of the Caledonian Leinster Granite, which intrudes Ordovician sediments. The Ordovician sediments contain traces of autunite (Ca(UO<sub>2</sub>)2(PO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>·10–12H<sub>2</sub>O), which is a uranium-bearing mineral and a source of radon. To model radon release potential at different locations, a spatial regression model was developed in which soil gas radon concentration measured in-situ using a Radon RM-2 detector was considered as a response value. Proxy variables such as local geology, soil types, terrestrial gamma dose rates, radionuclide concentrations from airborne radiometric surveys, soil gas permeability, distance from major faults and a Digital Terrain Model were used as the main predictors. Furthermore, the distribution of indoor radon concentration was simulated using a soil-indoor transfer factor. Finally, the workability of the proposed GRP model was tested by evaluating the correlation between previously measured indoor radon concentrations and the estimated values by the GRP model at the same measurement locations. This model can also be used to estimate the GRPs of other areas where radon-related proxy values are available.        </p><p><strong>Keywords:</strong> Natural radiation, geogenic radon potential, geostatistical analysis, spatial regression model, indoor radon simulation</p>

The Empirical Bayesian Regression Kriging (EBRK) to map the Geogenic Radon Potential (GRP). A case of study from the Euganean Hills (Italy).

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Coletti ◽  
Giancarlo Ciotoli ◽  
Eleonora Benà ◽  
Erika Brattich ◽  
Giorgia Cinelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Radioactivity ◽  
Indoor Radon ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Bayesian Regression ◽  
Soil Gas ◽  
Regression Kriging ◽  
Empirical Bayesian ◽  
Soil Gas Radon ◽  
Radon Potential ◽  
Radon Concentrations

<p>In the volcanic area of the Euganean Hills district (100 km<sup>2</sup>), the indoor radon often exceeds the threshold level of 300 Bq/m<sup>3 </sup>stipulated by the Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom, thus suggesting the need to investigate the possible link between observed radon concentrations and the local geology (Trotti et al., 1998,1999; Strati et al., 2014). More recently, statistical and geostatistical analysis on rock samples identified high U, Th and K concentrations associated with areas characterised by trachyte and rhyolite lithologies (Tositti et al., 2017). With this contribution, we completed our investigation on the natural radioactivity in the Euganean Hills district extending the rocks dataset, performing on-site soil gas survey, and considering other important factors which can locally increase the radon occurrence, such as hydrothermal alterations, types of soils (e.g., geochemistry or presence of organic matters), and faults. Furthermore, we elaborated a Geogenic Radon Potential map to assess the local spatial relationships between the measured soil gas radon concentrations and seven proxy-variables: fault density (FD), total gamma radiation dose (TGDR), <sup>220</sup>Rn (Tn), digital terrain mode (SLOPE), moisture index (MI), heat load index (HLI) and soil permeability (PERM). Empirical Bayesian Regression Kriging (EBRK) was used to develop the most accurate hazard map of the considered area, thus, providing the local administration an up-to-date decisional tool for the land use planning. For the high radon emission measured, the high density of dwelling, and its geomorphological features, the Euganean Hills district represented a very meaningful case of study.  </p><p> </p><p>Trotti, F., Tanferi, A., Lanciai, M., Mozzo, P., Panepinto, V., Poli, S., Predicatori, F., Righetti, F., Tacconi, A., Zorzine, R., 1998. Mapping of areas with elevated indoor radon levels in Veneto. Radiat. Prot. Dosim. 78 (1), 11–14.</p><p>Trotti, F., Tanferi, A., Bissolo, F., Fustegato, R., Lanciai, M., Mozzo, P., Predicatori, F., Querini, P., Righetti, F., Tacconi, A., 1999. A Survey to Map Areas with Elevated Indoor Radon Levels in Veneto, Radon in the Living Environment, 19-23 April 1999, Athens, Greece, 859–868.</p><p>Strati V., Baldoncini M., Bezzon G.P, Broggini C., Buso G.P., Caciolli A., Callegari I., Carmignani L, Colonna T, Fiorentini G., Guastaldi E., Kaçeli Xhixhaf M., Mantovani F, Menegazzo R., Moub L., Rossi Alvarez C., Xhixha G., Zanon A., 2014. Total natural radioactivity, Veneto (Italy). Journal of Maps, Vol. 11, Issue 4, 545–551. http://doi.org/10.1080/17445647.2014.923348.</p><p>Tositti L., Cinelli G., Brattich E., Galgaro A., Mostacci D., Mazzoli C., Massironi M., Sassi R., 2017. Assessment of lithogenic radioactivity in the Euganean Hills magmatic district (NE Italy). J. Environ. Radioact. 166, 259–269. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.07.011</p>

scholarly journals Soil gas radon assessment and development of a radon risk map in Bolsena, Central Italy

2014 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 305-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Cinelli ◽  
L. Tositti ◽  
B. Capaccioni ◽  
E. Brattich ◽  
D. Mostacci
Keyword(s):  
Central Italy ◽  
Soil Gas ◽  
Risk Map ◽  
Soil Gas Radon ◽  
Radon Risk

scholarly journals Radiological Assessment of Indoor Radon and Thoron Concentrations and Indoor Radon Map of Dwellings in Mashhad, Iran

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 141
Author(s):  
Mohammademad Adelikhah ◽  
Amin Shahrokhi ◽  
Morteza Imani ◽  
Stanislaw Chalupnik ◽  
Tibor Kovács
Keyword(s):  
Limit Of Detection ◽  
Indoor Radon ◽  
Absolute Error ◽  
Soil Gas ◽  
Indoor Radon Concentration ◽  
Soil Gas Radon ◽  
Distance Weighting ◽  
The City ◽  
Monitoring Devices ◽  
Radon Concentrations

A comprehensive study was carried out to measure indoor radon/thoron concentrations in 78 dwellings and soil-gas radon in the city of Mashhad, Iran during two seasons, using two common radon monitoring devices (NRPB and RADUET). In the winter, indoor radon concentrations measured between 75 ± 11 to 376 ± 24 Bq·m−3 (mean: 150 ± 19 Bq m−3), whereas indoor thoron concentrations ranged from below the Lower Limit of Detection (LLD) to 166 ± 10 Bq·m−3 (mean: 66 ± 8 Bq m−3), while radon and thoron concentrations in summer fell between 50 ± 11 and 305 ± 24 Bq·m−3 (mean 115 ± 18 Bq m−3) and from below the LLD to 122 ± 10 Bq m−3 (mean 48 ± 6 Bq·m−3), respectively. The annual average effective dose was estimated to be 3.7 ± 0.5 mSv yr−1. The soil-gas radon concentrations fell within the range from 1.07 ± 0.28 to 8.02 ± 0.65 kBq·m−3 (mean 3.07 ± 1.09 kBq·m−3). Finally, indoor radon maps were generated by ArcGIS software over a grid of 1 × 1 km2 using three different interpolation techniques. In grid cells where no data was observed, the arithmetic mean was used to predict a mean indoor radon concentration. Accordingly, inverse distance weighting (IDW) was proven to be more suitable for predicting mean indoor radon concentrations due to the lower mean absolute error (MAE) and root mean square error (RMSE). Meanwhile, the radiation health risk due to the residential exposure to radon and indoor gamma radiation exposure was also assessed.

scholarly journals Patients who leave Emergency Department without being seen or during treatment in the Lazio Region (Central Italy): Determinants and short term outcomes

PLoS ONE ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. e0208914 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Mataloni ◽  
Paola Colais ◽  
Claudia Galassi ◽  
Marina Davoli ◽  
Danilo Fusco
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Lazio Region

scholarly journals The Ukrainian pilot project “Stop radon”

2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 142-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatyana Pavlenko ◽  
Olga German ◽  
Miroslava Frizyuk ◽  
Nikolay Aksenov ◽  
Anatoliy Operchyuk
Keyword(s):  
Health Professionals ◽  
Indoor Radon ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Equilibrium Concentration ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Health Professionals ◽  
Radon Risk

In 2010 one area of Ukraine (Kirovograd area) was selected for a pilot project to reduce radon risks. The project consists of several stages: radon risk training for the public health professionals, measurements of radon concentration in schools and nurseries (more than 1000 buildings were examined), justifications of radon countermeasures and their implementation. The lognormal frequency distribution for equivalent equilibrium concentration was authentically established. The geometric mean of the indoor radon equivalent equilibrium concentration was established to 63 Bq/m3, and standard deviation is equal to 82 Bq/m3. The indoor radon equivalent equilibrium concentration ranged from 22 Bq/m3 to 809 Bq/m3. It was found that the national regulatory limit for this type of buildings was exceeded in more than 50% of the cases. The second phase of the project has a goal to remediate radon levels and reduce radon risks. Calculated exposure doses and radon risk were used to justify the remediation and assess the economic loss for the region caused by radon irradiation of the population.

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