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La Verde G, Artiola V, La Commara M, D’Avino V, Angrisani L, Sabatino G, Pugliese M. COVID-19 and the Additional Radiological Risk during the Lockdown Period in the Province of Naples City (South Italy). Life (Basel) 2022; 12:246. [PMID: 35207532 PMCID: PMC8874998 DOI: 10.3390/life12020246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The lockdown restrictions, as a first solution to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, have affected everyone's life and habits, including the time spent at home. The latter factor has drawn attention to indoor air quality and the impact on human health, particularly for chemical pollutants. This study investigated how the increasing time indoor influenced exposure to natural radioactive substances, such as radon gas. To calculate the radiological risk, we considered the most consolidated indices used for radiation protection: annual effective dose, excess lifetime cancer risk, and the lung cancer case. Furthermore, two different exposure times were considered: pre-lockdown and post-lockdown. The lockdown increased the indoor exposure time by 4% and, consequently, the radiological risk factors by 9%. Furthermore, the reference value of 300 Bq/m3, considered acceptable for human radiation protection, may need to be lowered further in the case of conditions similar to those of the lockdown period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe La Verde
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Via Cinthia ed. 6, 80126 Naples, Italy; (M.L.C.); (V.D.); (M.P.)
- Department of Physics “E. Pancini”, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia ed. 6, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Valeria Artiola
- Centre for Advanced Metrology and Technological Services (CeSMA), University of Naples Federico II, Corso Nicolangelo Protopisani, 80146 Naples, Italy; (V.A.); (G.S.)
| | - Marco La Commara
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Via Cinthia ed. 6, 80126 Naples, Italy; (M.L.C.); (V.D.); (M.P.)
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano, 49, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Vittoria D’Avino
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Via Cinthia ed. 6, 80126 Naples, Italy; (M.L.C.); (V.D.); (M.P.)
- Department of Physics “E. Pancini”, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia ed. 6, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Leopoldo Angrisani
- Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Via Claudio, 21, 80125 Naples, Italy;
| | - Giuseppe Sabatino
- Centre for Advanced Metrology and Technological Services (CeSMA), University of Naples Federico II, Corso Nicolangelo Protopisani, 80146 Naples, Italy; (V.A.); (G.S.)
| | - Mariagabriella Pugliese
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Via Cinthia ed. 6, 80126 Naples, Italy; (M.L.C.); (V.D.); (M.P.)
- Department of Physics “E. Pancini”, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia ed. 6, 80126 Naples, Italy
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Study of 222−220Rn Measurement Systems Based on Electrostatic Collection by Using Geant4+COMSOL Simulation. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12010507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
Using Monte Carlo (with Geant4) and COMSOL simulations, the authors have defined a useful tool to reproduce the alpha spectroscopy of 222Rn, 220Rn and their ionized daughters by measurement systems based on electrostatic collection on a silicon detector, inside a metallic chamber. Several applications have been performed: (i) simulating commercial devices worldwide used, and comparing them with experimental theoretical results; (ii) studying of realization of new measurement systems through investigation of the detection efficiency versus different chamber geometries. New considerations and steps forward have been drawn. The present work is a novelty in the literature concerning this research framework.
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