Natural radioactivity in soils and materials of the Campania region (Italy)

The results of radioactivity content of samples of different types of soils and building materials characteristic of the Campania volcanic region (South Italy) have been reported and discussed. This characterization has been carried out by performing: i) γ-ray spectrometry measurement, using a hyperpure germanium detector in very low background conditions, for the determination of the activity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K; ii) α-spectrometry of ionized descendants of 222Rn, collected in an electrostatic cell, to measure the emanated fraction of this radioactive gas. Materials of different characteristic and origin have been studied. Results prove the high radioactivity of the samples coming from this volcanic region, underlining the differences among their radioactivity content and their capacity to generate radon.