Simona Verità

Natural radioactivity in refractory manufacturing plants and exposure of workers to ionising radiation.

This paper shows the results of a survey carried out at some refractory manufacturing plants. During the first part of the survey, the concentration of natural radioactivity in raw materials and end-products, coming from four plants, was assessed. Several raw materials and, as a consequence, some end-products as well have shown activity concentrations exceeding a few hundreds of Bq kg(-1) of (238)U and (232)Th. In some important raw materials, such as bauxite and corundums, a remarkable radioactive disequilibrium was observed; this is probably due to the high temperature processes undergone by these materials. The second part of the survey focussed on the measurements of ambient equivalent dose rates, airborne dust concentrations and radon indoor. On the basis of results obtained, the effective dose for the standard worker was estimated. Two different types of refractory plants were investigated. Effective doses for both plants were lower than 1 mSv y(-1).

Territorial Observatory on Sustainability in the Republic of San Marino: A Case Study

To improve the sustainability of a territory, its development has to be measured through specific indicators. The main function of a Territorial Observatory on Sustainability is to stimulate a positive social attitude towards sustainability by providing the best available information, facilitating the decision-making and stakeholders participation. It can provide various services, such as integrated monitoring of the sustainability of the development, supporting policymaking in prioritization and allocation of resources and community participation process, developing thereby capabilities and knowledge through the supply of information and ensuring appropriate dissemination of results based on scientific research. The chapter describes the process applied to the Republic of San Marino and is based on the results of a study performed in the framework of collaboration between the University of Bologna and the “Coordinamento Agenda 21 San Marino”.