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Radon Levels in Indoor Environments of the University Hospital in Bari-Apulia Region Southern Italy

Author

Listed:
  • Luigi Vimercati

    (Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Occupational Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy)

  • Fulvio Fucilli

    (Regional University Hospital Policlinico—Prevention and Protection Service/Health Physics—A.O.U. Consortium Policlinico di Bari, 7014 Bari, Italy)

  • Domenica Cavone

    (Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Occupational Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy)

  • Luigi De Maria

    (Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Occupational Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy)

  • Francesco Birtolo

    (Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Occupational Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy)

  • Giovanni Maria Ferri

    (Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Occupational Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy)

  • Leonardo Soleo

    (Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Occupational Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy)

  • Piero Lovreglio

    (Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Occupational Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro Medical School, 70124 Bari, Italy)

Abstract

Since 1988, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified radon among the compounds for which there is scientific evidence of carcinogenicity for humans (group 1). The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a reference radon level between 100 and 300 Bq/m 3 for homes. The objective of this study is to measure the radon concentrations in 401 workplaces, different from the patient rooms, in 28 different buildings of the university hospital in Bari (Apulia region, Southern Italy) to evaluate the exposure of health care workers. Radon environmental sampling is performed over two consecutive six-month periods via the use of passive dosimeters of the CR-39 type. We find an average annual radon concentration expressed as median value of 48.0 Bq/m 3 (range 6.5–388.0 Bq/m 3 ) with a significant difference between the two six-month periods (median value: February/July 41.0 Bq/m 3 vs. August/January 55.0 Bq/m 3 ). An average concentration of radon lower than the WHO reference level (100 Bq/m 3 ) is detected in 76.1% of monitored environments, while higher than 300 Bq/m 3 only in the 0.9%. Most workplaces report radon concentrations within the WHO reference level, therefore, the risk to workers’ health deriving from occupational exposure to radon can be considered to be low. Nevertheless, the goal is to achieve near-zero exposures to protect workers’ health.

Suggested Citation

  • Luigi Vimercati & Fulvio Fucilli & Domenica Cavone & Luigi De Maria & Francesco Birtolo & Giovanni Maria Ferri & Leonardo Soleo & Piero Lovreglio, 2018. "Radon Levels in Indoor Environments of the University Hospital in Bari-Apulia Region Southern Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-9, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:4:p:694-:d:139939
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Maria Quarto & Mariagabriella Pugliese & Giuseppe La Verde & Filomena Loffredo & Vincenzo Roca, 2015. "Radon Exposure Assessment and Relative Effective Dose Estimation to Inhabitants of Puglia Region, South Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-10, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Luigi Vimercati & Luigi De Maria & Antonio Caputi & Enza Sabrina Silvana Cannone & Francesca Mansi & Domenica Cavone & Paolo Romita & Giuseppe Argenziano & Alessandro Di Stefani & Aurora Parodi & Kett, 2020. "Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer in Outdoor Workers: A Study on Actinic Keratosis in Italian Navy Personnel," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-11, March.
    2. Luigi De Maria & Stefania Sponselli & Antonio Caputi & Giuseppe Delvecchio & Gianmarco Giannelli & Antonella Pipoli & Francesco Cafaro & Silvia Zagaria & Domenica Cavone & Rodolfo Sardone & Luigi Vime, 2023. "Indoor Radon Concentration Levels in Healthcare Settings: The Results of an Environmental Monitoring in a Large Italian University Hospital," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-8, March.
    3. Giovanni Maria Ferri & Graziana Intranuovo & Domenica Cavone & Vincenzo Corrado & Francesco Birtolo & Paolo Tricase & Raffaele Fuso & Valeria Vilardi & Marilena Sumerano & Nicola L’abbate & Luigi Vime, 2018. "Estimates of the Lung Cancer Cases Attributable to Radon in Municipalities of Two Apulia Provinces (Italy) and Assessment of Main Exposure Determinants," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-18, June.
    4. Carlos Rizo Maestre & Víctor Echarri Iribarren, 2018. "The Radon Gas in Underground Buildings in Clay Soils. The Plaza Balmis Shelter as a Paradigm," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-14, May.

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