El radón es la principal fuente de radiactividad natural, y su medición se considera extremadamente importante en la radioprotección, dado su relación con la ocurrencia de cáncer de pulmón. En los últimos dos años, se realizaron mediciones de este gas radiactivo en Lima considerando una cuadrícula de 5 km² y la densidad de población para determinar el número de mediciones a realizar. Se utilizaron detectores de trazas nucleares de nitrato de celulosa expuestos en modo desnudo y en modo de cámara de difusión para estimar las concentraciones de 222-Rn. En modo de cámara de difusión, se utilizaron monitores no comerciales y monitores comerciales. Se presentan los resultados del monitoreo para 43 distritos de la provincia de Lima, cuya población es aproximadamente de diez millones de habitantes ocupando una superficie total de 2655.15 km². Se realizaron mediciones obteniend...

The study investigated the radon emission rate and potential radiological hazards of high-uranium-content building materials in The Ica area of Southwestern Peru. We used a creative technique that combined a closed chamber and active monitor, and it was improved by a hermetic sealing method to maintain secular equilibrium well. The results showed radon emission rates as low as below detection limits (BDL) up to 52.3 mBq/kg·h. Our analyses with a 3' x 3' NaI detector found radionuclide concentrations in cement samples by gamma spectrometry. We found a high positive correlation between radium activity concentration and radon exhalation rate. The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K differ significantly, with maximum values reaching 60.6, 22.3, and 1074 mBq/kg·h. We consider these results significant for the safety of materials in the Peruvian construction sector. And we also ...

This study evaluates the effectiveness of advanced statistical and geospatial methods for analyzing radon concentration distributions in indoor environments, using the district of San Martín de Porres, Lima, Peru, as a case study. Radon levels were monitored using LR-115 nuclear track detectors over three distinct measurement periods between 2015 and 2016, with 86 households participating. Detectors were randomly placed in various rooms within each household. Normality tests (Shapiro–Wilk, Anderson–Darling, and Kolmogorov–Smirnov) were applied to assess the fit of radon concentrations to a log-normal distribution. Additionally, analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to evaluate the influence of environmental and structural factors on radon variability. Non-normally distributed data were normalized using a Box–Cox transformation to improve statistical assumptions, enabling subsequ...

The study investigated the radon emission rate and potential radiological hazards of high-uranium-content building materials in The Ica area of Southwestern Peru. We used a creative technique that combined a closed chamber and active monitor, and it was improved by a hermetic sealing method to maintain secular equilibrium well. The results showed radon emission rates as low as below detection limits (BDL) up to 52.3 mBq/kg·h. Our analyses with a 3' x 3' NaI detector found radionuclide concentrations in cement samples by gamma spectrometry. We found a high positive correlation between radium activity concentration and radon exhalation rate. The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K differ significantly, with maximum values reaching 60.6, 22.3, and 1074 mBq/kg·h. We consider these results significant for the safety of materials in the Peruvian construction sector. And we also ...

  Introduction: Previous studies have associated exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) with higher rates of tuberculosis (TB), especially among men. Likewise, a causal relationship between TB and lung cancer (LC) has been demonstrated. On the other hand, residential radon gas (²²²Rn) is a well-known carcinogen and the leading cause of LC among non-smokers. Objective: To evaluate the ecological association between PM2.5 and/or ²²²Rn levels and tuberculosis (TB) and lung cancer (LC) rates in adults over 60 years of age of both sexes, in the 43 districts of Metropolitan Lima, during the period 2019–2022. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study using secondary data analysis. TB and LC data were obtained from the Ministry of Health, PM2.5 estimates were derived using the WRF-Chem model, and ²²²Rn concentrations were measured with G2 diffusion chambers. F...

Introducción: Estudios previos asocian la exposición al material particulado fino (PM2.5) con mayores tasas de Tuberculosis (TBC), especialmente en varones. Asimismo, se ha evidenciado una relación causal entre TBC y cáncer de pulmón (CaP). Por otro lado, el gas radón residencial (222Rn) es un reconocido carcinógeno y la principal causa de CaP en no fumadores. Objetivo: Evaluar la asociación ecológica entre los niveles de PM2.5 y/o ²²²Rn y las tasas de tuberculosis (TBC) y cáncer de pulmón (CaP) en adultos mayores de 60 años de ambos sexos, en los 43 distritos de Lima Metropolitana, durante el período 2019–2022. Material y métodos: Estudio observacional y ecológico, de análisis secundario de bases de datos, CaP y TBC procedente del Ministerio de Salud, estimaciones de PM2.5 mediante el modelo WRF-Chem y concentraciones de 222Rn obtenidas con cámaras de difusión G2....

In the present work, we investigate the concentration of radon and its alpha-emitting progeny at the archaeological site of Huaca 20 in Lima, Peru. The site holds significant cultural and historical importance as an ancient pre-Inca ruin, providing valuable insights into the lives and rituals of its former inhabitants. We quantified the radon levels accurately with passive CR-39TM detectors deployed within specially designed chambers at the site for 28 days. In a controlled laboratory environment, we processed the detectors afterward, examining and analyzing the resulting tracks using advanced microscopy and the ImageJ analysis software. The ground-level concentration of radon and its alpha-emitting progeny was determined, revealing elevated levels ranging from (2.4 ± 0.6) to (8.9 ± 0.9) (kBq/m^3). These findings underscore the unique presence of radon at Huaca 20 and highlight the pot...

El objetivo de la presente investigación fue medir las concentraciones de radón en las viviendas de los distritos de la Provincia de Lambayeque mediante detectores LR-115 Tipo II en modo descubierto. Se utilizó detectores de trazas nucleares de estado sólido (SSNTDs), películas de nitrato de celulosa LR 115 tipo II. El número de detectores se determinó por distrito considerando la densidad poblacional y tratando de cubrir tanto la zona urbana como rural. Los detectores fueron expuestos en modo descubierto, en el interior de las viviendas durante 90 días; el procedimiento de grabado y la lectura de los detectores se realizaron en el Laboratorio de Huellas Nucleares de la PUCP. Los resultados muestran que el 15 % del total de viviendas muestreadas sobrepasaron el límite máximo permisible por la normativa nacional establecida por el IPEN, encontrándose concentraciones altas de Ra...

This study evaluates radon exhalation rates and assesses the potential radiological risks of external exposure to primordial radionuclides in building materials employed in the Ica region of Peru, particularly those with high uranium content. The radon exhalation rates are currently measured using a combination of a closed chamber and an active monitor. We proposed a novel method that effectively ensured a hermetic seal for the closed chamber and guaranteed that the efficient maintenance of secular equilibrium. The obtained results ranged from below the detection limit (BDL) to a maximum of 52.3 mBq · kg−1h−1. Gamma spectrometry was employed to measure the concentrations of radionuclides by utilizing a 3′ × 3′ NaI detector. The analysis of cement samples revealed a strong positive correlation between the activity concentration of radium and the radon exhalation rate. The activi...

Radon is the main source of natural radioactivity, and its measurement is considered extremely important in radioprotection, given its relationship with the occurrence of lung cancer. In the last two years, measurements of this radioactive gas were carried out in Lima considering a grid of 5 km2 and the population density to determine the number of measurements to be carried out. Cellulose nitrate nuclear track detectors exposed in bare mode and diffusion chamber mode were used to estimate 222Rn concentrations. In diffusion chamber mode, non-commercial monitors and commercial monitors were used. The monitoring results are presented for 43 districts of the Lima Province whose population is approximately ten million inhabitants occupying a total area of 2655.15 km2. Measurements were made obtaining an average concentration of 49 Bq·m−3 using bare detectors and 66 Bq·m−3 using non-com...