Results of the Representative Italian National Survey on Radon Indoors

Abstract

A representative national survey on population exposure to radon in Italian dwellings was carried out from 1989 to 1994, with the co-operation of the National Health Service. The measurements were performed by 19 Regional Laboratories, all using the same techniques and protocols. A stratified, two-stage sampling procedure was used to sample families. The sampled families were approached door-to-door to maximize response. To optimize the quality of the measurements, two dosimeters, each containing two alpha track detectors, were placed together in one room (typically the bedroom) for two consecutive 6-mo periods. The distribution of annual radon concentration was derived from measurements in 4,866 dwellings. The average value is 75 Bq m(-3) and the fractions of dwellings above the reference levels of 150, 200, 400, and 600 Bq m-3 are 8.7%, 4.7%, 1.0%, and 0.2%, respectively. The geometric mean is 57 Bq m-3 while the geometric standard deviation is 2.0. The average values in the Italian Regions fall within the 20-120 Bq m-3 range. When the average radon concentration is examined vs. story, building materials seem to play a significant role. The average lifetime risk of lung cancer for chronic radon exposure of Italian population at home would be about 5 x 10(-3), using the risk factor proposed by the ICRP in 1993.

A methodology for assessing the maximum expected radon flux from soils in northern Latium (central Italy)

“…larger than the average for Latium, 119 Bq m -3 (Bochicchio et al, 1996). Both averages are much larger than the Italian (about 77 Bq m -3 , APAT, 2003) and European (68 Bq m -3 , UNSCEAR, 1993) averages.…”

A geostatistical approach to define guidelines for radon prone area identification

“…IRC in Bergamo appears to be quite higher than the national mean value of 70 Bq/m 3 (Bochicchio et al 1996). Figure 3a shows the 589 measurement points considered in this paper.…”

A Quantile Regression Approach to Evaluate Factors Influencing Residential Indoor Radon Concentration

“…Figure 2 depicts the cumulative distribution function and the histogram of IRC. The results of the national survey [2] already showed that the mean indoor radon concentration in Lombardy (116 Bq/m 3 ) was quite higher than the national mean value (70 Bq/m 3 ). 2 The data of the Lombardy regional survey in this study (all measurements performed on the ground floor) confirm even higher concentration levels.…”