The norm of the radiation background: on what it depends and how it should not be exceeded

In today's world, many natural phenomena are used to achieve noble goals. The radiation was not an exception. Without it, it is difficult to put an adequate diagnosis and check the integrity of the details. But this leads to the fact that the norm of the radiation background varies depending on the place of residence or work. People receive radiation every day. When it is necessary to take measures to reduce the negative impact on the body?

General information on radiation

Before talking about what kind of radiation background for a person is acceptable, you need to understand the theory. At the heart of everything lies the concept of radioactivity. It consists in the fact that the nuclei of certain atoms are characterized by instability. This means that they spontaneously decay, and at the same time, ionizing radiation, i.e., radiation, is released. It is formed by several kinds of particles: alpha, beta, gamma and neutrons. Especially dangerous is gamma radiation, which is characterized by high penetrating power. X-ray radiation is akin to gamma rays, but has less energy. The largest natural source of such radiation is the Sun. But its radiation is only a part of all that the norm of the radiation background is composed of.

Components of the background radiation

It consists of natural and anthropogenic elements. Natural radiation is formed from such factors:

• Cosmic rays;
• Underground deposits of radionuclides, they also irradiate natural building materials, from which homes are later erected;
• The same radioactive substances, but distributed in water and air;
• As well as in food products;
• Potassium-40 and rubidium-87, which are always present in the human body and can not be disposed of.

A natural radioactive background is always and everywhere. This is not an exception, but a rule. Only the norm of the radiation background for each particular locality differs.

Artificially increases the radiation background of a person's activity. For example, the extraction of minerals, their combustion, the use of phosphate fertilizers. No less contribution falls to the share of testing nuclear weapons, nuclear power plants and air transport. In addition, we can not discount accidental infections. These are all kinds of accidents and losses during transportation.

The problem is that a person does not have an organ of sense, which could perceive radiation. Therefore, special devices are used in hazardous areas - dosimeters, which signal the excess of the radiation received.

Units of measurement of radiation and radioactivity

These are different concepts, and the units of their measurement are different. The measure of radioactivity is the activity of a substance. It is measured in becquerels. One Becquerel is equal to 1 decay of an atom per second. It is often estimated per unit mass or volume.

Ionizing radiation, which occurs during the decay of atoms, is measured in X-rays. But this is a very large quantity. Therefore, in practice, more often referred to micro-radents, that is, a millionth part. And the impact depends on the time of irradiation. And the value, in which the norm of the background radiation is measured, is μR / h, that is, micro-roentgen per hour.

There is one more quantity - this is a sievert. It is used to assess the impact on a person. With the help of this unit, an equivalent dose is measured. The power of this dose was called sievert per hour. For domestic purposes, one sievert is equivalent to 100 x-rays.

Examples of radiation dose values

All the radiation that is received by the body leaves a radiation trail, and it will never be possible to get rid of it. So, all natural sources of radiation in total give a dose that fluctuates around a value of 3 mSv per year. It can be slightly smaller or slightly larger depending on the terrain. But it is characterized as an allowable norm of the radiation background.

The dose received by a person in his entire life should not exceed 700 mSv. Most often, this value is approached by the inhabitants of the mountainous regions.

In addition, people are constantly faced with additional radiation, for example, during a medical examination. It is desirable that these studies do not go beyond the maximum dose.

What is the effect of radiation on the human body?

If the dose fits into the values that are regulated by the norm of the radiation background, then people simply do not notice it. Their life goes on as usual, and no negative impact is shown. But if the dose is many times higher than the value and the irradiation occurs in a short period of time, then we are talking about radiation sickness. It causes metabolic disorders, leukemia and cancer, radiation burns of the skin and cataracts, complicates the course of infectious diseases, leads to infertility.

Methods of protection from radiation

There are three:

• Time, since after years the dose of radiation decreases;
• Distance, because with the distance from the radiation source, its intensity decreases;
• Substance, as it absorbs gamma rays.