Radon in workplaces: first results of an extensive survey and comparison with radon in homes

Extensive radon surveys have been carried out in many countries only in dwellings, whereas surveys in workplaces are rather sparse and generally restricted to specific workplaces/activities, e.g. schools, spas and caves. Moreover, radon-prone areas are generally defined on the basis of radon surveys...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Radiation protection dosimetry 2011-05, Vol.145 (2-3), p.202-205
Main Authors: Bucci, Silvia, Pratesi, Gabriele, Viti, Maria Letizia, Pantani, Marta, Bochicchio, Francesco, Venoso, Gennaro
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Air Pollutants, Radioactive - analysis
Buildings
caves
Dosimetry
Housing
Humans
Occupational Exposure - analysis
public buildings
Radiation measurements
Radiation Monitoring
Radon
Radon - analysis
Recreation areas
schools
territory
Workplace
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Extensive radon surveys have been carried out in many countries only in dwellings, whereas surveys in workplaces are rather sparse and generally restricted to specific workplaces/activities, e.g. schools, spas and caves. Moreover, radon-prone areas are generally defined on the basis of radon surveys in dwellings, while radon regulations use this concept to introduce specific requirements in workplaces in such areas. This approach does not take into account that work activities and workplace characteristics can significantly affect radon concentration. Therefore, an extensive survey on radon in different workplaces have been carried out in a large region of Italy (Tuscany), in order to evaluate radon distribution in workplaces over the whole territory and to identify activities and workplace characteristics affecting radon concentration. The results of this extensive survey are compared with the results of the survey carried out in dwellings in the same period. The workplaces monitored were randomly selected among the main work activities in the region, including both public and industrial buildings. The survey monitored over 3500 rooms in more than 1200 buildings for two consecutive periods of ∼6 months. Radon concentration was measured by means of passive nuclear track detectors.
ISSN:0144-8420
1742-3406
DOI:10.1093/rpd/ncr040