Mapping the Spatial Distribution of Natural Gamma Dose Rates as a Baseline Study in the Province of Asti, Italy

Abstract

Natural background gamma rays and their effects on human health are essential components of both radiation protection and public concern. In the frame of these aspects, the mapping of the natural gamma dose rate values of the Province of Asti is given. The Asti Fire Brigade Command approved a project relating to the mapping of gamma radiation from the natural background in the territory of Asti. The project engaged both the Nuclear, Biological, Chemical, and Radiological (NBCR) and Topography Applied to Rescue (TAS) components of the Asti Command. Skilled personnel, comprising level 1 TAS operators for data collection and level 2 TAS operators for cartographic analysis, were deployed across the six working days. The methodology involved the use of two digital handheld radiation G-M detectors, in conjunction with a portable GPS unit, including the Global Mapper software. One of the significant findings of this study is the observation that the natural gamma dose rate levels were 201.25% higher in the streets of the city center compared to other areas, predominantly because the building materials in these locations contain a higher amount of natural radionuclides. The results indicated that the level of natural gamma dose rates in the studied region is close to the global average value.