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Radon Exhalation Rate: A Metrological Approach for Radiation Protection

Authors :
Fabrizio Ambrosino
Giuseppe La Verde
Gaetano Gagliardo
Rocco Mottareale
Giuseppe Della Peruta
Chiara Imparato
Andrea D’Elia
Mariagabriella Pugliese
Source :
Sensors, Vol 24, Iss 11, p 3633 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2024.

Abstract

Radon, a radioactive inert gas that comes from the decay of naturally occurring radioactive species, poses a substantial health risk due to its involvement in lung cancer carcinogenesis. This work proposes a metrological approach for determining radon exhalation rates from diverse building materials. This methodology employs an electrostatic collection chamber for alpha spectrometry of radon isotopic decay products. Experimental evaluations were conducted particularly focusing on volcanic gray tuff from Sant’Agata de’ Goti (Campania region, Italy), a material commonly utilized in construction, to assess radon exhalation rates. The study aligns with Legislative Decree 101/2020, a transposition of European Directive 59/2013/Euratom, highlighting the need to identify materials with a high risk of radon exhalation. Moreover, this work supports the goals of the Italian National Radon Action Plan related to the aforementioned decree, aiming to develop methodologies for estimating radon exhalation rates from building materials and improving radioprotection practices.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
14248220
Volume :
24
Issue :
11
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Sensors
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.b2da426a2965486eaa11a1de0474933f
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/s24113633