AN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION BY USING AN ALL-ENCOMPASSING PASSIVE RADON MONITOR.

The recently developed radon film-badge makes it possible to measure radon indoors, in soil, in water and/or in aqueous media (e.g. mud).

Extreme UV index and solar exposures at Plateau Rosà (3500 m a.s.l.) in Valle d'Aosta Region, Italy.

The purpose of this study is to assess personal exposures of skiers at the Alpine site of Plateau Rosà (45.9°N, 7.7°E, 3500 m a.

Radon exchange dynamics in a karst system investigated by radon continuous measurements in water: first results.

In 2008 the underground Karst Laboratory of Bossea Cave started research on radon exchange dynamics between bedrock, cave waters (main collector and percolations) and indoor underground atmosphere. Radon air concentrations, normally high, increase more and more during the collector's floods. An explanation of this is a radon-water solubilisation process more effective in flood events, because of a greater rock-water contact surface.

Noise model application to small hydroelectrical power plants impact evaluation in the Aosta Valley territory.

In this paper measurements, results and model estimates, with reference to hydroelectric power plant noise emissions in the Aosta Valley territory, are compared in different contexts. The analysis was performed to evaluate and point out the influence of the noise source context on the accuracy of the model results. The estimates were implemented considering power plants as: point sources and area sources taking (or not) into account the building elements of the plant.

Integrated assessment of traffic impact in an Alpine region.

This paper reports the results of an integrated assessment of traffic impact on a tourist-popular high altitude region which includes mountain passes and road tunnels. A modeling system for air quality assessment and management has been established and revised. The system has been used to evaluate the impact of traffic due to the re-opening of the Mont Blanc tunnel: the increase in NO(x) concentrations ranges from 50% at the bottom of the upper valley to 150% near to tunnel entrance.

Accuracy of field spectrometry in estimating 137Cs contamination in high altitude alpine soils.

In situ gamma ray spectrometry is an attractive method for providing information on the concentrations of radionuclides in the soil. This method requires separate knowledge of the soil density and of the radioactivity distribution relative to soil depth. In-field gamma spectrometry measurements were performed together with sampling of the soil at the same site for subsequent gamma spectrometry analysis in the laboratory.

Determination of PAH in airborne particulate: comparison between off-line sampling techniques and an automatic analyser based on a photoelectric aerosol sensor.

The automatic analyser is based on a photoelectric aerosol sensor, with continuous sampling and an on-line detection system. Traditional sampling monitoring systems consist of collecting airborne particulate on filters; the sample is then extracted, purified and analysed. It is possible to identify each compound and to determine its relative abundance in the total particulate matter, on the other hand, this method requires great complexity of analysis.

Effects of continuous low-level exposure to radiofrequency radiation on intrauterine development in rats.

To assess the effect of low-level radiofrequency radiation on pregnant rats, gravid dams were exposed continuously to 0.1 mW cm-2 at 27.12 MHz during different periods of pregnancy.

Analysis of environmental pollution by radiofrequency radiation from teleradiocommunication devices.

The environmental radiofrequency radiation pollution, including microwaves, generated by teleradiocommunication devices is particularly great where there exists a concentration of such apparatus. The wide-band field detectors commonly used for environmental protection surveys do not make it possible to discern the contributions of the individual emitters at a given point. It is possible to obtain this result theoretically by using only a personal computer, and by using the characteristics of the emitter and of surrounding territory as inputs.

The assessment of unwanted radiation around diathermy RF capacitive applicators.

The electromagnetic field intensities in the vicinity of apparatus which generate RF fields are influenced by a multiplicity of variables which are tied to the conditions of their use. The setting up of proper ambient surveillance requires the predisposition of operational protocols which take variable factors into account, permitting the individualization of major risk situations, and assuring the repeatability and comparability of the results. To that end, in relation to a diathermy apparatus operating at 27.