Living organisms are constantly exposed to radiation from several natural sources. Among them, Radon is considered the second cause of lung cancer after smoking.

The composition and the structure of the earth’s surface have a strong influence on the local level of natural radiation; for this reason, the geological parameters (e.g. lithology, fractures, grain size) exert an important control on Radon mobilisation, migration and exhalation. The research activity focus on two different research lines:

1. the role played by faults as preferential pathways for soil gases;
2. rock damage control on Radon mobility in fault zone with experimental approach at HP-HT laboratory of INGV.

Professors coordinating and developing projects related to this research pathway: Claudio Mazzoli, Raffaele Sassi