Abstract
Background: The aim of this preliminary study was to measure radon concentrations in a hospital in order to verify to what extent these concentrations depend on various environmental variables taken into consideration, and consequently to determine the urgency to implement mitigation actions. Methods: The rooms where the concentration of the gas was potentially highest were monitored. Investigators adopted a Continuous Radon Monitor testing device. Qualitative and normally distributed quantitative variables were summarised with absolute (relative) frequencies and means (standard deviations, SD), respectively. As regards environmental variables, the difference in radon concentrations was determined using the rank-based nonparametric Kruskal–Wallis H test and the Mann–Whitney U test. Results: All measurements, excluding the radiotherapy bunkers that showed high values due to irradiation of radiotherapy instruments, showed low radon levels, although there is currently no known safe level of radon exposure. In addition, high variability in radon concentration was found linked to various environmental and behavioural characteristics. Conclusions: The results on the variability of radon levels in hospital buildings highlighted the key role of monitoring activities on indoor air quality and, consequently, on the occupants’ health.
Highlights
Radon (222 Rn), a chemically inert gas produced by the decay of uranium (238 U), is a naturally occurring radioactive element present in all rocks of the earth’s crust
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Our study aimed to evaluate the concentration of radon within the University Hospital of Sassari in order to verify to what extent these concentrations depend on various environmental variables taken into consideration, and to determine the urgency to implement mitigation actions
Summary
Radon (222 Rn), a chemically inert gas produced by the decay of uranium (238 U), is a naturally occurring radioactive element present in all rocks of the earth’s crust. When cracks or fissures are present, it can spread into the confined spaces of a building, where it tends to concentrate, in nonventilated basement floors due to its high density and weight. It is considered to be a typically indoor pollutant, whose concentration, can vary widely depending on both time and space [1]. Radon represents a serious public health problem due to its accumulation inside homes and workplaces. Given that the vast majority of people live indoors, high levels of radon can significantly increase the risk of lung cancer [2,3].
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