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Abstract: A survey of gamma exposure in dwellings of Campania region, southern Italy has been performed using Thermo Luminescent Dosimeters (TLD). In each dwelling TLDs were exposed for six months in the room where the inhabitant spent most of their time, generally the bedroom or living room. The arithmetic mean was found to be 264 ± 111 nGy/h, after the subtraction of the cosmic contribution. The effects of building materials and geographic location were also examined. Using UNSCEAR model, the annual effective dose due to indoor gamma radiation was evaluated and it was found to be 1.3 mSv/y, that is higher than Italian national average of 0.4 mSv/y. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This is the first paper to report a potential map of radon (222Rn) distribution in the Campania region of southern Italy, using the geostatistical kriging interpolation method using QGIS® software. The response variable is the 222Rn indoor measurements, whereas proxy variables used as predictors are: geology, faults, soils permeability, meteorological/climatic parameters, 238U distribution, 222Rn emanation coefficients and exhalation rates, 226Ra in building materials and gamma dose rate in dwellings. The map shows high radon potential areas in correspondence to the main volcanic centres and the faults network of the region. The map is a useful instrument to identify radon-prone areas and evaluate radon risk level for the population. • First characterization of 222Rn potential in the Campania region (Southern Italy). • Realization of 222Rn map using geostatistical kriging interpolation method via GIS. • Geological and radiometric parameters influencing 222Rn emission are proxy variables. • High 222Rn potential levels occur at the main volcanic centres and faults network. • Low 222Rn levels are distribuited in spots and characterized by low permeability areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]