The Signature
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Study Suggests Radon Presence in Houses on Etna Slopes By Alberto Lunetta NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
A recent study by National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) researchers, published in the open-access scientific journal Frontiers of Public Health, has pointed out the potential exposure to elevated radon in homes located along the faults of Mt. Etna. Radon is an inert, radioactive, colorless, and odorless gas that is naturally present in the atmosphere in trace amounts where it disperses rapidly. It is also a reliable indicator of volcanic tectonic activity. Because radon comes naturally from the earth, people are always exposed to it. However, if radon enters through cracks in houses’ floors, walls, pipes and even electrical wires in high enough concentrations and over a long enough period of time, it can harm the health of residents by possibly causing serious illnesses such as lung cancer. INGV researchers conducted the first ever multi-year study by continuously monitoring indoor radon levels to see if there could be a possibility of higher radon accumulation inside homes located near active faults. Measurements were performed during periods ranging from a few months to over three years in seven houses distributed on the eastern, southern and south-western flanks of the volcano, located at different distances from seismogenic faults. Radon testing was performed in the towns of Giarre, Zafferana Etnea, Aci Catena, Aci Castello, and Paternò. Fortuitously, the timing of data collection allowed for the measurement of radon concentrations during and after the 4.8-magnitude Dec. 26, 2018 earthquake, which
Experts from the Catania Volcanology and Geophysics National Institute have recently released the results of the first-ever soil radon gas measurements at seven different locations located along or near fault lines in an attempt to begin to map out a new geohazard zone of the Etna area. (Map elaboration by Dr. Marco Neri and Alessandro Lo Piccolo)
struck the Acireale area and caused heavy damage to buildings and roads located along or near fault lines. Results indicate that the highest concentration of indoor radon was
recorded in locations closer to active faults and above volcanic substrates. Marco Neri, a senior researcher at the Catania INGV, explained that these
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