Indoor Radon Monitoring and Associated Diffuse Radon Emissions in the Flanks of Mt. Etna (Italy)
Between October 2021 and July 2024, radon measurements in air and soil were carried out in the South and East flanks of Etna volcano to check the possible correlation between radon emissions and active faults/eruptive fissures and to obtain preliminary data on any negative impacts on human health. F...
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MDPI AG
2024-11-01
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| author | Nunzia Voltattorni Salvatore Giammanco Gianfranco Galli Andrea Gasparini Marco Neri |
| author_facet | Nunzia Voltattorni Salvatore Giammanco Gianfranco Galli Andrea Gasparini Marco Neri |
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| description | Between October 2021 and July 2024, radon measurements in air and soil were carried out in the South and East flanks of Etna volcano to check the possible correlation between radon emissions and active faults/eruptive fissures and to obtain preliminary data on any negative impacts on human health. Fifteen continuous indoor radon monitors were installed in homes, some of which are inhabited by patients suffering from Multiple Sclerosis and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. In all sites, the limit of 300 Bq/m<sup>3</sup> indicated by the Euratom Directive 2013/59 was exceeded, even if slightly and for short periods. The highest values were recorded closest to active fault zones and during winters. Furthermore, 27 discrete indoor radon measurements were carried out using a passive method by means of activated charcoal canisters that were exposed for 48 h. Most of the values (>70%) were <100 Bq/m<sup>3</sup>; six canisters gave values >100 Bq/m<sup>3</sup> and one >200 Bq/m<sup>3</sup>. Measurements of radon in soils were carried out using a Durridge RAD7 in the gardens of the homes in which the indoor radon measurements were made. The background radon values in soils were <5000 Bq/m<sup>3</sup>; the highest values (12,500 Bq/m<sup>3</sup>) were measured near the Aci Catena fault. The role of Etna’s faults in draining the deeper radon towards the surface and, therefore, into nearby homes is evident, with a consequent increase in the health risk caused by indoor radon pollution. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2073-4433 |
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| series | Atmosphere |
| spelling | doaj-art-07a5b69c605b49c0a0f9c871ffd6b73e2025-08-20T02:26:47ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332024-11-011511135910.3390/atmos15111359Indoor Radon Monitoring and Associated Diffuse Radon Emissions in the Flanks of Mt. Etna (Italy)Nunzia Voltattorni0Salvatore Giammanco1Gianfranco Galli2Andrea Gasparini3Marco Neri4Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia-Sezione Roma 1, 00143 Roma, ItalyIstituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia-Osservatorio Etneo, Sezione di Catania, 95125 Catania, ItalyIstituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia-Sezione Roma 1, 00143 Roma, ItalyIstituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia-Sezione Roma 1, 00143 Roma, ItalyIstituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia-Osservatorio Etneo, Sezione di Catania, 95125 Catania, ItalyBetween October 2021 and July 2024, radon measurements in air and soil were carried out in the South and East flanks of Etna volcano to check the possible correlation between radon emissions and active faults/eruptive fissures and to obtain preliminary data on any negative impacts on human health. Fifteen continuous indoor radon monitors were installed in homes, some of which are inhabited by patients suffering from Multiple Sclerosis and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. In all sites, the limit of 300 Bq/m<sup>3</sup> indicated by the Euratom Directive 2013/59 was exceeded, even if slightly and for short periods. The highest values were recorded closest to active fault zones and during winters. Furthermore, 27 discrete indoor radon measurements were carried out using a passive method by means of activated charcoal canisters that were exposed for 48 h. Most of the values (>70%) were <100 Bq/m<sup>3</sup>; six canisters gave values >100 Bq/m<sup>3</sup> and one >200 Bq/m<sup>3</sup>. Measurements of radon in soils were carried out using a Durridge RAD7 in the gardens of the homes in which the indoor radon measurements were made. The background radon values in soils were <5000 Bq/m<sup>3</sup>; the highest values (12,500 Bq/m<sup>3</sup>) were measured near the Aci Catena fault. The role of Etna’s faults in draining the deeper radon towards the surface and, therefore, into nearby homes is evident, with a consequent increase in the health risk caused by indoor radon pollution.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/15/11/1359radonEtnafaultseruptive fissureshuman health |
| spellingShingle | Nunzia Voltattorni Salvatore Giammanco Gianfranco Galli Andrea Gasparini Marco Neri Indoor Radon Monitoring and Associated Diffuse Radon Emissions in the Flanks of Mt. Etna (Italy) Atmosphere radon Etna faults eruptive fissures human health |
| title | Indoor Radon Monitoring and Associated Diffuse Radon Emissions in the Flanks of Mt. Etna (Italy) |
| title_full | Indoor Radon Monitoring and Associated Diffuse Radon Emissions in the Flanks of Mt. Etna (Italy) |
| title_fullStr | Indoor Radon Monitoring and Associated Diffuse Radon Emissions in the Flanks of Mt. Etna (Italy) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Indoor Radon Monitoring and Associated Diffuse Radon Emissions in the Flanks of Mt. Etna (Italy) |
| title_short | Indoor Radon Monitoring and Associated Diffuse Radon Emissions in the Flanks of Mt. Etna (Italy) |
| title_sort | indoor radon monitoring and associated diffuse radon emissions in the flanks of mt etna italy |
| topic | radon Etna faults eruptive fissures human health |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/15/11/1359 |
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