Serving the Nato, Naples and Gaeta military community in italy
58th year, No. 9
NSA Naples to Start Indoor Testing for Radon From U.S. Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy Public Affairs
Naval Support Activity (NSA) Naples, Italy will begin a scheduled one-year test of radon gas concentrations indoors, March 25, as part of an ongoing Navywide program. Personnel from the NSA Naples Environmental Division and U.S. Department of Energy will install radon detectors in Navy facilities at Capodichino, Support Site, Gaeta, Carney Park, and Navy-managed buildings at JFC (Lago Patria). They will be placed in basements and groundlevel indoor spaces inhabited at least four hours daily. “We’re the first Navy installation in Europe to conduct this comprehensive study. We’re being proactive,” said Capt. Scott Gray, the base commanding officer. “Completing this study helps us make sure we are providing the safest possible working and living environment for the community. We’re pleased to have the chance to participate in this study.” The radon detectors, called alpha-track detectors, will be placed near ceilings starting at the end of March and throughout the month of April. At approximately 2 inches in diameter by 1.5 inches in height, the radon detectors are much smaller than typical smoke detectors found in homes. “Radon detectors are small, harmless and their installation will be accomplished with minimal disturbance to the NSA Naples community,” said Bernice Snyder, the base environmental director. Government personnel can
install a radon detector in less than five minutes. The detectors will require no attention from community members during the one-year study period. “In order to account for seasonal changes, radon detectors will be collected one year from the time they were installed”, said Snyder. “We look forward to working with personnel from the Department of Energy. They are the experts in radon studies and have conducted radon testing worldwide.” Radon is a gas that is naturally occurring from rocks and soils. It is present in outdoor air but may collect in basements or ground level spaces. Indoor environments are commonly studied to determine whether radon is present at high concentrations. Long-term exposure to radon gas at high concentrations can potentially impact health over time. Testing is the only way to know indoor radon concentrations. Navy facilities in Naples were last tested in 1991-1992, but the base infrastructure has since changed necessitating the completion of this new study. “The last time we tested, Support Site in Gricignano did not exist and the administrative activities currently here at Capo were located in Agnano,” said Gray. “The Navy’s footprint at Capodichino was significantly smaller. Back then, Capo’s main function was to support flight and logistical operations.” Spaces in office buildings, onbase residences, schools, and stores will be studied. The radon detectors will be installed in accordance with the following tentative schedule:
Friday, March 8, 2013
W hat ’ s I nsIde
Explore the Leather Market of Florence Pages 4 -5
(Photos courtesy of Department of Energy)
• March 30-31: School facilities • Week of April 1: All Housing and Hospital facilities • Week of April 8: Facilities at Capo, Support Site, Gaeta, SATCOM, Carney Park, and Nisida • Week of April 15: Any missed locations • Week of April 22: Any missed locations “If we find an issue in any of our spaces, we will work to correct the situation as soon as
possible,” said Gray. “Elevated indoor radon levels may easily be mitigated by properly ventilating spaces or upgrading building foundations.” Results from the study are not expected to be available until the fall of 2014. NSA Naples will publish the results. For U.S. Environmental Protection Agency information on radon, go to www.epa.gov/ radon. Call the Environmental Office at DSN: 626-6641/6644 or 081-568-6641/6644 if you have any questions.
Community Holds Bone Marrow Drive
Your Emergency Kit to Build or Buy Page 6
Sailors Cautioned on use of Fitness Programs Page 7
By MC3 Caitlin Conroy- Feddersen, Navy Public Affairs Support Element-East Detachment Europe
Community members aboard Naval Support Activity (NSA) Naples hosted and invited communityarea participation in a bone marrow drive Feb. 26 and 27 at the Naples Middle High School and Support Site food court, Feb. 26 and 27. Inspiration for the drive came from a local NSA Naples family whose daughter is in need of a bone marrow transplant. 8-year-old Saniyah Joseph, an 8-yearoldNSA Naples community member, was diagnosed with aplastic anemia in December 2012. Her family and friends hope that holding the bone marrow drive will not only invite more community participation in support, but will also help raise awareness about the need for bone marrow donors. “From the start, everyone has asked what can they do to help,” said Selina Joseph, Saniyah’s mother. “My first response to them was to keep Saniyah in their prayers, and my second response
NATO Allies Participate in Proud Manta Page 13
FRIDAY Senior Chief Interior Communications Electrician (Ret.) Vincent Gilfoy, teacher at Naples Middle/High School, uses a buccal swab while participating in a bone marrow drive aboard NSA Naples, Feb. 26 and 27. Inspiration for the drive came from a local family whose daughter is in need of a bone marrow transplant. (Photo by MC3 Caitlin Conroy-Feddersen)
was join the bone marrow registry. One must be in the registry in order to see if they are a match for her. Not only does joining the registry help Saniyah, but it also helps so many other people, especially children, who are in need of a bone marrow transplant.”
Kits for the drive were supplied by the C.W. Bill Young/DoD Marrow Donor Center, which is one of 79 donor centers in the United States working with the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP). see SAILORS OF THE YEAR Page 5
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