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.
Highlights
Occurring background radiation is the main source of exposure for most people
We evaluate the radon hazard of three different areas in the central Italian region of Lazio, each of which is characterised by different radon potential levels
We started from the Geogenic Radon Potential (GRP) map of the Lazio region [10] and selected three municipalities located in different GRP areas: Caprarola, Celleno and Ciampino
Summary
Occurring background radiation is the main source of exposure for most people. Much of it comes from primordial radionuclides in the Earth’s crust, such as 40 K, 238 U and 232 Th, and their associated decay products [1]. The average global dosage of natural and man-made radiation, including that from the alpha decay of radon and its progeny, is about 3 mSv. Background natural radiation is believed to account for about. High natural background levels are found in Ramsar in Iran, Guarapari in Brazil, Karunagappalli in. A northern coastal city in Iran, has areas with some of the highest levels of natural radiation measured in populated areas (up to 260 mSv/y) [4]
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