Critical aspects of radon remediation in karst limestone areas: some experiences in schools of South Italy.

The final results of radon monitoring in 438 schools located in the province of Lecce (Puglia Region, South Italy) showed an average radon concentration of 215 ± 20 Bq m and that 7% of schools exceeded 500 Bq m, the current Italian action level for radon in workplaces, and consequently required remedial actions. The activity described in the present paper includes the main elements of the remediation project in a subgroup of school buildings. The main radon control systems adopted were sub-slab depressurization (in 57% of schools) and the active ventilation of the crawlspace (in 21% of schools).

A step towards accreditation: A robustness test of etching process.

In the present study the robustness of the etching process used by our laboratory was assessed. The strategy followed was based on the procedure suggested by Youden. Critical factors for the process were estimated using both Lenth's method and Dong's algorithm.

Sheep Milk Yogurt from a Short Food Supply Chain: Study of the Microbiological, Chemico-Physical and Organoleptic Parameters in Relation to Shelf-Life.

Aim of this work was to analyse some microbiological, chemico-physical and organoleptic parameters of sheep milk yogurt during and after its declared shelf-life. Five samples of a sheep's milk yogurt of the same lot, collected from a short supply chain ovine dairy farm of the Roman province, were analysed. Declared shelf-life of the product was 30 days.

Indoor radon levels in schools of South-East Italy.

A survey was conducted to evaluate average levels of indoor radon and gamma doses in all educational buildings (506 schools) located in South-East Italy (the Salento peninsula, province of Lecce). In this paper the final findings relating to measurements performed with SSNTD dosemeters in 438 schools (86% of the sample) are reported. The average annual activity concentration of radon in schools located in the province of Lecce is 209 ± 9 Bq/m(3).

Development of a framework of quality assurance practices for a radon passive dosemeter service.

Etched track detectors are widely used for the detection of radon and its decay products. The reliability of radon measurement performed with such devices requires that laboratories producing analytical data are able to provide results of the required quality. The need for uniform results from laboratories at an international level therefore requires the implementation of a quality assurance programme, the harmonization of criteria, sampling procedures, calculations and the reporting of results, agreed on the basis of fundamental principles and international standards.