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Natural Radioactivity Content and Radon Exhalation Rate Assessment for Building Materials from the Archaeological Park of Tindari, Sicily, Southern Italy: A Case Study

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  • Francesco Caridi

    (Dipartimento di Scienze Matematiche e Informatiche, Scienze Fisiche e Scienze della Terra, Università degli Studi di Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy)

  • Giuseppe Paladini

    (Dipartimento di Scienze Matematiche e Informatiche, Scienze Fisiche e Scienze della Terra, Università degli Studi di Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy)

  • Francesco Gregorio

    (Dipartimento di Scienze Matematiche e Informatiche, Scienze Fisiche e Scienze della Terra, Università degli Studi di Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy)

  • Stefania Lanza

    (Dipartimento di Scienze Matematiche e Informatiche, Scienze Fisiche e Scienze della Terra, Università degli Studi di Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy)

  • Gabriele Lando

    (Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche e Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy)

  • Marco Sfacteria

    (Dipartimento di Civiltà Antiche e Moderne, Università degli Studi di Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy)

  • Stefania Tuccinardi

    (Dipartimento di Civiltà Antiche e Moderne, Università degli Studi di Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy)

  • Marta Venuti

    (Dipartimento di Civiltà Antiche e Moderne, Università degli Studi di Messina, 98100 Messina, Italy)

  • Paola Cardiano

    (Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Biologiche, Farmaceutiche e Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy)

  • Domenico Majolino

    (Dipartimento di Scienze Matematiche e Informatiche, Scienze Fisiche e Scienze della Terra, Università degli Studi di Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy)

  • Valentina Venuti

    (Dipartimento di Scienze Matematiche e Informatiche, Scienze Fisiche e Scienze della Terra, Università degli Studi di Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy)

Abstract

This paper presents a case study of the natural radioactivity level and radon exhalation in limestone and sandstone rocks from the archaeological park of Tindari, located in Sicily, southern Italy. These rocks were representative of natural stones utilised as building materials in the studied area. The activity concentrations of 226 Ra, 232 Th, and 40 K were assessed using high purity germanium (HPGe) gamma-ray spectrometry. Subsequently, the absorbed gamma dose rate (D), annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE), activity concentration index (ACI), and alpha index (I α ) were quantified to evaluate potential radiological health risks associated with radiation exposure from the analysed rocks. Finally, E-PERM electret ion chamber measurements were conducted to accurately quantify the radon exhalation rate from the investigated samples. The results obtained in this case study provide a foundation for further research into the background radioactivity levels in natural stones employed as building materials.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesco Caridi & Giuseppe Paladini & Francesco Gregorio & Stefania Lanza & Gabriele Lando & Marco Sfacteria & Stefania Tuccinardi & Marta Venuti & Paola Cardiano & Domenico Majolino & Valentina Venu, 2025. "Natural Radioactivity Content and Radon Exhalation Rate Assessment for Building Materials from the Archaeological Park of Tindari, Sicily, Southern Italy: A Case Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(3), pages 1-12, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:3:p:379-:d:1606066
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