Background Radiation: Detection, Measurement and Hazards

2017 ◽  
pp. 119-122
Author(s):  
Rajan Paudel Chhetri
Keyword(s):  
Background Radiation ◽  
Radiation Detection ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Alpha Particles ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Radiation Level ◽  
Beta Particles ◽  
Agriculture Industry ◽  
Ionizing Radiations

Radiation is a form of energy. It is of two types: non-ionizing and ionizing. Among them, ionizing radiations have hazardous health effects upon human beings. Different types of cancers may arise from the overexposure to ionizing radiations like alpha- particles, beta-particles, gamma- rays, x-rays etc. Further, ionizing radiations have very important utilities in case of paper handling and use. Radiations can be used for various beneficial purposes like medical imaging, radiation therapy, improvement of quality of agriculture, industry etc. The overall radiation from various sources on a specific location on earth's surface refers to the background radiation level of that zone. Exposure to background radiation is an inescapable feature of the environment. A portable GM counter was used to quantify the total radiation level at different places. The finding of this shows a variation of radiation level. Comparatively large values of radiation counts at high altitude and low values at river side. There is no any abnormal value of radiation counts for all sample places. So, there is, generally, no significant risk of public exposure to the background radiation for sample places.The Himalayan Physics Vol. 6 & 7, 2017 (119-122)

A Study of Exposure of Overall Background Radiation In Syangja District of Nepal

2017 ◽  
pp. 92-95
Author(s):  
T Timilsina ◽  
K. R. Poudel ◽  
P. R. Poudel
Keyword(s):  
High Altitude ◽  
Background Radiation ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Total Radiation ◽  
Radiation Level ◽  
The People ◽  
Public Exposure

This study presents general exposure of background radiation to the people living or visiting nine places of Syangja district. A portable GM counter was used to quantify the total radiation at those places. The findings of this study show variation of radiation level at different places. Comparatively large values of radiation counts are observed at high altitude places (Gurung Dada: 70.23 cpm and Pokhari Dada: 64.77 cpm). The value of radiation count inside room is comparatively larger than that at outside room for these places. Moreover, small value of radiation count is observed at river side (Bank of Aandhikhola river: 21.63 cpm). Little large values are observed near Saligram stones and ancient statue than at other regions of one historical/religious place. Hence, results show fluctuations of background radiation level for different places. Some places have comparatively large value of radiation count while some places have comparatively small value. But there is no any abnormal value of radiation counts for all sample places. So there is, generally, no significant risk of public exposure to the background radiation for sample places.The Himalayan Physics Vol. 6 & 7, April 2017 (92-95)

Investigation of Elemental Analysis of Water Samples by Radioalpha Induced X-Ray Emission Spectroscopy*

1974 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 333-342
Author(s):  
R. Hight ◽  
C. C. Foster
Keyword(s):  
Water Samples ◽  
Background Radiation ◽  
Trace Element Analysis ◽  
Alpha Particles ◽  
Particle Accelerators ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Worst Case ◽  
Helium Atmosphere ◽  
X Ray

AbstractAlpha particles and protons from charged particle accelerators and photons from both x-ray tubes and radioactive sources have been shown to be useful for the excitation of characteristic x-rays for multi-element energy dispersive trace analysis of environmental samples to the few ppm range. We have investigated the use of 4.5 MeV alpha particles from a thin window Po-210 source of 5 mCi effective strength to directly excite x-rays from trace elements in 1 cc water samples evaporated on 1.75 mg/cm2 thick mylar backings in a helium atmosphere in a lucite enclosure. Minimum detectable amounts (MDA's) were established for 19 elements (22 ≤ Z ≤ 82) using K-, L- and M- radiation and 50 minute counting times. The smallest MDA determined was 0.11 μg for vanadium. Other representative MDA's, in μg, are Fe-0.54, Mo-0.31 and Pb-0.43. MDA's lower by an average factor of about 10 over an eight month source life would result from the use of 1 Ci of Po-210 for 50 minutes per sample. Thinner sample backings and improved source encapsulation will reduce background radiation and further improve sensitivity. Comparison of our MDA's (5 mCi-Po-210) with those of Blasius et al., who used radiophoton sources and 40,000 sec. counting times to determine trace metal pollutants in water samples, shows radioalpha excitation to have comparable sensitivity in the worst case, arsenic and better, by more than two orders of magnitude, sensitivity in the best case, vanadium.Radioalpha induced x-ray trace element analysis offers the same advantages of portability, ease of operation, low maintenance and cost, and "in house" availability as radiophoton induced analysis. Because of the availability of more intense sources (up to 10 Ci), the fact that the detected radiation (x-rays) differs from the excitation radiation (a-particles) and that K, L, and M x-ray emission cross-sections depend essentially only on the emitted x-ray energy, lower MDA's are obtainable for many elements in thin samples for comparable counting times, as well.

scholarly journals STUDY OF GAMMA RADIATION FROM BUILDING MATERIALS

2005 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 182-186
Author(s):  
Petras Vaitiekūnas ◽  
Daiva Lukošiūte
Keyword(s):  
Ionizing Radiation ◽  
Gamma Rays ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Health Effect ◽  
Alpha Particles ◽  
Building Structures ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Radioactive Materials ◽  
Beta Particles ◽  
A Charge

People are constantly exposed to ionizing radiation, but generally the amount, type and duration of exposure to radionuclides (radiation emitters) affects the severity or type of health effect. Nearly all rocks, minerals and soil may contain small amounts of naturally occuring radioactive materials, and when they are incorporated into building materials, these naturally occurring radioactive materials are included as well. Ionization is a process in which a charge portion of a molecule is given enough energy to break away atoms. There are three main kinds of ionizing radiation: alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays and x‐rays, with gamma and x‐rays having a higher amount of energy. Since gamma rays have a higher amount of energy, they have potential to cause a greater damage on the outside or inside of a human body. A model based on data gathered from different types of structures will try to show that the amount of ionizing radiation, especially gamma rays, that affect residents in various parts of buildings, is directly related to the properties of radionuclides present in building structures.

Radiation And Its Effect To The Environment

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandeep Vishwakarma ◽  
Aradhana Singh Chauhan ◽  
Deepak Singh
Keyword(s):  
Ionizing Radiation ◽  
Gamma Rays ◽  
Modern Technology ◽  
Alpha Particles ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Public Attention ◽  
Health Concerns ◽  
Beta Particles ◽  
Positive Ions ◽  
Harmful Effects

Many forms of "radiation" are encountered in the natural environment and are produced by modern technology. Most of them can give both beneficial and harmful effects. Even sunlight, the most essential radiation of all, can be harmful in large amounts. Most public attention is given to the category of radiation known as "ionizing radiation." This radiation can disrupt atoms, creating positive ions and negative electrons, and cause biological harm. Ionizing radiation includes x-rays, gamma rays, alpha particles, beta particles, neutrons, and the varieties of cosmic rays. Exposure to radiation can cause damage to cells, eventually leading to cancer or other health concerns and also it effects our environment.

Digital x-ray mapping of nanometer-size supported bimetallic catalysts

1988 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
pp. 530-531
Author(s):  
L. T. Germinario
Keyword(s):  
Background Radiation ◽  
Metal Cluster ◽  
Single Element ◽  
Beam Diameter ◽  
X Rays ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Major Interest ◽  
Induced Changes

Understanding the role of metal cluster composition in determining catalytic selectivity and activity is of major interest in heterogeneous catalysis. The electron microscope is well established as a powerful tool for ultrastructural and compositional characterization of support and catalyst. Because the spatial resolution of x-ray microanalysis is defined by the smallest beam diameter into which the required number of electrons can be focused, the dedicated STEM with FEG is the instrument of choice. The main sources of errors in energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDS) are: (1) beam-induced changes in specimen composition, (2) specimen drift, (3) instrumental factors which produce background radiation, and (4) basic statistical limitations which result in the detection of a finite number of x-ray photons. Digital beam techniques have been described for supported single-element metal clusters with spatial resolutions of about 10 nm. However, the detection of spurious characteristic x-rays away from catalyst particles produced images requiring several image processing steps.

Nuclear Electrons and Nuclear Structure

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger H. Stuewer
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Structure ◽  
Beta Decay ◽  
Gamma Rays ◽  
Alpha Particle ◽  
Continuous Distribution ◽  
Alpha Particles ◽  
Light Nuclei ◽  
Coincidence Method ◽  
Wolfgang Pauli ◽  
Beta Particles

Serious contradictions to the existence of electrons in nuclei impinged in one way or another on the theory of beta decay and became acute when Charles Ellis and William Wooster proved, in an experimental tour de force in 1927, that beta particles are emitted from a radioactive nucleus with a continuous distribution of energies. Bohr concluded that energy is not conserved in the nucleus, an idea that Wolfgang Pauli vigorously opposed. Another puzzle arose in alpha-particle experiments. Walther Bothe and his co-workers used his coincidence method in 1928–30 and concluded that energetic gamma rays are produced when polonium alpha particles bombard beryllium and other light nuclei. That stimulated Frédéric Joliot and Irène Curie to carry out related experiments. These experimental results were thoroughly discussed at a conference that Enrico Fermi organized in Rome in October 1931, whose proceedings included the first publication of Pauli’s neutrino hypothesis.

scholarly journals Survival Curves and Age Response Functions for Chinese Hamster Cells Exposed to X-Rays or High LET Alpha-Particles

1972 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 88 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. J. Hall ◽  
W. Gross ◽  
R. F. Dvorak ◽  
A. M. Kellerer ◽  
H. H. Rossi
Keyword(s):  
Chinese Hamster ◽  
Alpha Particles ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Response Functions ◽  
Survival Curves ◽  
Chinese Hamster Cells ◽  
High Let

Malformation of the Extremity in the Mouse Foetus Caused by X-radiation of the Mother During Pregnancy

Development ◽  
1963 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 549-569
Author(s):  
Ujihiro Murakami ◽  
Yoshiro Kameyama ◽  
Hiroshi Nogami
Keyword(s):  
Congenital Malformations ◽  
Long Bones ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Critical Stage ◽  
Early Stages

While producing malformations in the mouse foetus with X-rays, the authors recognized an abnormal shortening of the extremities in a group treated on the 11th day of pregnancy. Such shortenings were caused by the absence, shortening, curvature, flexure or synostosis of the long bones of the extremities. Furthermore, in foetuses treated on the 12th day of pregnancy, numerous cases of ectrodactylism were found. Recently it has been noted that thalidomide taken during the early stages of pregnancy is liable to produce congenital malformations of the extremities such as phocomelia, defects of radii and thumbs, ectrodactylism, etc. in human beings. Lenz & Knapp (1962) pointed out that there is a critical stage when such serious malformations of the extremities caused by the use of the drug become manifest. The critical stage for the onset of serious malformation of extremities in the mouse foetus resulting from X-radiation corresponded well with the critical stage of the reduction malformations of the extremity caused by thalidomide.

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