Radon potential mapping in Piemonte (North-West Italy): An experimental approach

Early radon studies in Piemonte, an administrative district in North-West Italy (25200 km−2, around 4300000 inhabitants) have been done since 19901991, when a general radon survey of the dwellings of Piemonte was performed in order to assess the average radon exposure of the whole population. The survey, executed in the framework of the National Radon Survey by the National Environmental Protection Agency (former ANPA, now ISPRA) and ISS (National Health Institute), involved about 430 dwellings, chosen randomly with a stratified sampling technique. After this first step, radon researches were continued in different areas of Piemonte and involved schools as well as dwellings. In particular, radon surveys were conducted in areas where the geological conditions (i.e., the occurrence of rocks with Uranium content well above the typical average concentration found in the Earth crust) appear to favour a stronger radon emanation. Besides this kind of studies, other surveys were performed in order to assess the radon exposure in schools, where children and young students, the most radio-sensitive part of the population could be exposed to high radon concentrations. These extensive radon monitoring programs led to the implementation of