ACOUSTICS | RADON GAS | ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS

Supervised and coordinated by:

Eng. Sergio Calisesi (*)

Environment and Land Engineer

(*) NATIONAL LIST OF COMPETENT ACOUSTICS TECHNICIANS AT NO. 7205

LAZIO REGION REGIONAL LIST OF COMPETENT ACOUSTICIANS AT NO. 675

Acoustics

Acoustic engineering deals, in general, with applications concerning the production, transmission, recording, and reproduction of sound by mechanical, electronic, or computer devices

In relation to the protection of inhabited environments from noise pollution are carried out:

  • Noise climate assessments, in order to quantify the noise pollution of an area and to determine the effects on any new receptors.
  • Noise impact assessments, predictive or on-site, to verify the effects of sound sources (industries, road, rail and airport infrastructure, construction sites, etc.) on the environment with respect to what is imposed in this regard by Law 447/95.
  • On-site verifications of passive acoustic requirements of inhabited rooms (D.P.C.M. 05/12/97).
  • Acoustical design aimed at noise pollution abatement, both in terms of source shielding and building design of acoustic requirements of buildings aimed at sound insulation characteristics of partition and facade walls, from footfall and from service technology systems.
  • Consulting for employers in order to comply with obligations arising regarding noise exposure for workers from Legislative Decree 81/08 (Occupational Health and Safety Consolidation Act).

Areas

  • Detection and monitoring of noise and vibration;
  • Design, verification and testing of sound mitigation works for Public or Private Clients.
  • Building Acoustics: design, testing and acoustic class assignment according to UNI11367 of Passive Acoustic Requirements for Buildings.
  • Logistics: noise impact prediction of logistics or manufacturing areas in general

Radon Gas Diagnosis

Radon (Rn-222) is a naturally occurring, colorless and odorless radioactive noble gas found in soil and building materials that is formed by the radioactive decay of radium 226. Radon atoms propagate freely as a gas from the soil and building materials in which they are present, penetrating into buildings and concentrating in enclosed spaces.

Based on the strength of the evidence collected, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (AIRC) has placed radon decay products in Group I of carcinogens.

 

The L.D. 101/2020, which came into force on August 27, 2020, regulates, in broader and more stringent terms than the previous L.D. 230/1995, both the health protection of people subjected to any type of exposure (occupational exposure, exposure for medical purposes, exposure to natural sources), the safe management of facilities and equipment using radioactive materials, and the disposal of radioactive waste.

Through the measurement of Radon gas in soil, it is possible to:

  • Know in advance the Radon gas risk class to which the building is subject. Assigning the risk class is useful for designers to choose the most suitable ground connection for the future work.
  • Recommend solutions to limit the natural depressurization of the building as much as possible

Electromagnetic Field Risk Assessment

Electromagnetic field (EMF) risk assessment is an important tool for protecting the health and safety of exposed workers. As per the definition in the Unified Text (Article 207), these are "static magnetic fields and time-varying electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields of frequency less than or equal to 300 GHz." To properly carry out the surveys required for their determination and for drafting the EMF risk assessment document (RAD).

1. Electromagnetic field risk: the relevant regulations
L.D. 81/08 devotes its entire Chapter IV (Title VIII) to "Protecting workers from the risks of exposure to electromagnetic fields," and is one of the landmarks on this issue. Effects from exposure to magnetic fields can be direct or indirect, and the regulations aim to protect the person from both. The former are those that are immediately noticeable, and can cause, for example, nausea, heating of the body (or parts of it), effects on nerves, muscles or sensory organs. Indirect effects, on the other hand, arise at lower exposure levels and concern, for example: interference with implanted electronic devices, interference with other electronic medical devices, inadvertent initiation of detonators, fire or explosion.

2. Measures to prevent and protect against EMF risk
For risk assessment, two basic parameters are taken as reference: exposure limit values and action values. The first ones are based on (established) health effects and biological considerations, so that exposed workers are protected against short-term harmful effects. Action limit values, on the other hand, concern directly measurable parameters, such as:

  • electric field intensity (E);
  • magnetic field strength (H);
  • magnetic induction (B);
  • power density (S).

Based on the data collected, it will have to be determined whether and what preventive and protective measures should be implemented. other working methods that involve less exposure to electromagnetic fields.