A person lives in a world in which there is a mass of objects that emit radiation to one degree or another. It can be natural or man-made. Not all radiation can be hazardous to health. It is enough to know the annual rate and sources of radiation in order to reliably protect yourself from its influence.

Natural sources of radiation

The main source of natural origin is radon gas, which is present in large quantities in the Earth's atmosphere. This gas, its half-life products and isotopes are the suppliers of the radiation dose that a person has to inhale. Under normal circumstances, the volume thus obtained during a year of natural exposure averages 1260 µSv. On the territory of Russia, the radiation background exceeds the world average, and natural exposure is 1980 microsieverts.

Radon gas itself spreads unevenly over the territory, and its concentration in certain areas depends on a number of factors. Radiation gas is found in a more concentrated form where radioactive uranium lies closest to the earth's surface. The decay products emit radiation that enters the earth's atmosphere through rocks, groundwater, and even through the foundations of buildings built on such plots of land.

A person receives radiation in such situations by inhaling the air. The radon in it enters the body through the lungs, and the radiation elements remain in the human body for a long time. There are special zones on Earth where scientists record a very high concentration of natural background radiation, and where it is dangerous for people to stay even for a limited period of time. These are areas located in the United States, Scandinavia, the Czech Republic and Iran, located in close proximity to mountain ranges. In such places, natural radiation in the air exceeds the standard values by more than 500 times.

Radioactive substances emit planets and stars located in the Galaxy. The closest star emitting radiation in our star system is the Sun. Part of the cosmic radioactive radiation is retained by the earth's atmosphere, and part seeps through it. The closer a person is to outer space, the more radiation he is exposed to. This applies to people who fly frequently on airplanes.

The earth is also a natural resource. Radiation background It is formed in areas of mountain ranges in which uranium deposits are present, as well as deposits of other radioactive natural minerals. The highest background radiation of terrestrial origin was found in the mountainous regions of India and Brazil.

Also, a person can receive a natural dose of radiation along with food. Its source is radioactive carbon, potassium isotope and a number of other isotopes that may contain products. Animals and plants, like all living organisms, also accumulate natural radiation, which then enters a person with food.

Man-made sources of radiation

Very often, a person receives radiation as a result of undergoing medical procedures. Its level depends on the quality of medical equipment and on the specifics of therapeutic, diagnostic or other medical procedures.

One of the most common examples of such man-made exposure is X-ray, which shines through various organs of the human body. Statistics show that the highest level of background radiation in such cases falls on Americans. In Russia it is much lower.

Many consumer goods, primarily cigarettes containing radioactive polonium, are sources of man-made exposure. The production of nuclear weapons has a great influence on the general background of radiation. Conducted in the 20th century from 1940 to 1960. nuclear weapons tests have led to a significant increase in radiation around the world.

Another dangerous man-made source that appeared in the 20th century was nuclear power plants. Emissions during emergency shutdowns did not occur so often, but even they, such as the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant or at the Japanese Fukushima, could significantly affect the radiation situation around the world. People living in disaster areas received a shock dose of radiation.

In the 20th century, accidents also occurred at military nuclear facilities, as a result of which heavy water leaked, as was the case in Kyshtym in Russia, or in the American Windscale.

In addition, a person may be exposed to additional exposure at the workplace if he works in the area of special industrial enterprises that use nuclear energy, and also lives in close proximity to thermal power plants, nuclear power plants, and other large facilities operating on carbon fuel, which can be a source of radiation background.

Safe level of medical radiation exposure

Science has proven that for a short time people can tolerate exposure to 10 microsieverts without much harm to their health, although a dose of 0.5 mSv received in one hour is considered safe. The increased level of exposure should not exceed 72 hours within one month. Therefore, flying in airplanes cannot do much harm, since most people do not use them so often.

The dose obtained from a medical x-ray is also safe. On average, a person has to undergo an X-ray examination no more than twice a month. Therefore, this level cannot be dangerous. Modern X-ray equipment provides increased protection of a person from radiation exposure. In addition, it is possible to remove accumulated radioactive substances from the body with the help of special preparations. It is recommended to ventilate rooms with increased natural radiation background more often.published

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How to convert sieverts to roentgens

A person is not able to determine the presence of radioactive substances and harmful radiation in the environment with the help of the senses. For this, various models of dosimeters and radiometers are used.

The operation of such devices is based on the Geiger counter - a gas-filled capacitor that reacts to the ingress of ionizing particles into it. A special program processes the data received from the Geiger counter and converts them into human readable readings. Most modern devices give the user values in µR/h, mSv/h, mR/h, µSv/h. Accordingly, the question often arises of how to convert Sieverts into Roentgens and determine the degree of danger to human health and life of the dosimeter readings.

What is Roentgen and Sievert?

Sievert is the SI unit of equivalent and effective dose of ionizing radiation. In fact, this is the amount of energy that was absorbed by 1 kg of biological tissue. In the literature, Russian and international designations "Sv" or "Sv" are used.

Roentgen is a unit of measurement of the exposure dose of radioactive exposure to gamma or X-ray radiation, which is determined by their ionizing effect on dry air. The commonly used Russian and international designations "P" or "R" are used to designate the unit.

How is X-ray to Sievert converted?

1 X-ray, just like 1 Zivert is a very large value. In everyday life, it is easier to use millionths or thousandths (micro-roentgen and microsievert, and thatalso milliroentgen and millisievert).

Let's write for clarity:

1 Roentgen = 0.01 Sievert;
100 Roentgen = 1 Sievert;
1 X-ray \u003d 1000 milliroentgen;
1 milliroentgen = 1000 microroentgen;
1 microroentgen = 0.000001 Roentgen;
1 microsievert = 100 microroentgens.

And now, using an example, we will analyze how to convert Sieverts to Roentgens:

normal background radiation is 0.20 µSv/h or 20 µR/h;
sanitary standard 0.30 µSv/h or 30 µR/h;
the upper limit of the permissible dose rate is 0.50 µSv/h or 50 µR/h;
natural background in a big city like Kyiv is 0.12 µSv/h, which is equal to 12 µR/h.

The radiation background is the level of quantum flows and elementary particles in the environment. This concept is important for a person when it comes to ionizing radiation. In large quantities, it poses a serious danger to living organisms. If the natural radiation background (NRF) of the area does not exceed acceptable standards, then you can live on it, farm and eat the gifts of nature. When the ERF is elevated, it is impossible to be in such places, even if security measures are observed, the time spent in the infected area should be reduced to a minimum. In some cases, radiation benefits a person. With its help, a very successful treatment of oncological diseases is carried out. The impact of isotopes on plants, insects and animals makes it possible to breed new species that differ in a set of positive properties.

Varieties of radiation

The natural radiation background is affected by the number of elementary particles that have previously hit the area or object and continue to come from various sources.

Modern science distinguishes between such types of radiation that directly affect the natural radiation background:

Gamma radiation. It is a flow of microparticles with a neutral charge. Has a high penetrating power. This type of radiation is the most detrimental to all living things. X-ray protection is provided by materials with heavy nuclei. They trap gamma particles, becoming a source of radiation.
Beta radiation. Its carrier is larger particles with medium penetrating power. Being potentially dangerous to humans, beta rays are trapped in a thin layer of metal, wood and stone.
Alpha radiation. It is a stream of heavy positively charged particles. They carry a powerful ionic charge that has a destructive effect on the cells of living tissues. In humans, alpha particles only affect the outer layer of the skin. Even clothes are a barrier to them.

On earth, the sources of radiation that create natural and artificial background radiation are the sun, stars, rocks, and man-made industrial facilities. Isotopes of such chemical elements as iodine, uranium, radium, strontium, cobalt, cesium and plutonium create the level of infection. Knowing what radiation is, you can successfully protect yourself from such a life-threatening and health-threatening phenomenon.

Sources of natural radiation

Until the Earth acquired an iron core and received an impulse to rotate, it was open to all types of radioactive radiation. After a powerful magnetic field formed around our planet, it gained protection from penetrating radiation. The solar wind, detrimental to all living things, bends around the Earth along the lines of the magnetic field. A small part of the heavy alpha particles hits the surface of the planet. They are dangerous only when exposed to the sun for a long time without protection. This results in skin burns.

A certain danger is represented by volumetric energy emissions produced by pulsars. These space objects produce as much energy in one second as the Sun produces in a thousand years. The earth's atmosphere does not save from such a beam.

A certain influence on the formation of the radiation background is played by the terrain and the composition of the soil. The most ancient rock, formed billions of years ago, is granite. Where this mineral comes to the surface or is under a thin layer of soil, there is an increased level of radiation.

The level of radiation is also affected by the height above sea level. With each kilometer of ascent above the ground, the thickness of the protective layer of the atmosphere decreases. Already at an altitude of 10,000 meters there is such a radiation background, the norm of which is close to the maximum permissible.

The level of radiation varies depending on the geographical location. It is much stronger at the poles than at the equator. This phenomenon is caused by the shape of the Earth's magnetic field, which converges at the poles.

Soil characteristics. The highest level of radiation is observed in places where uranium ore is deposited. Even if the deposit of this chemical element is located several kilometers underground, the level of its radiation can exceed the maximum allowable by several times. A small background can create iron ore and bauxite. These elements tend to accumulate radiation.

Artificial radiation on earth

This phenomenon is an excess of the natural background due to human activities. The history of the development of the atom spans several decades. Since this area of industry has not yet been fully mastered, the risk of emergency situations is quite high.

Background radiation standards can be exceeded for the following reasons:

Conducting nuclear weapons tests. The territory where atomic bombs were tested is saturated with radioactive isotopes. It will be uninhabitable for many centuries to come.
The use of the atom for peaceful purposes. Nuclear charges were used to change the course of rivers, create artificial reservoirs and to extinguish fires in gas fields.
Accidents at nuclear power facilities. During such incidents, isotopes are released into the atmosphere. Depending on the scale of the accident, the surrounding area becomes uninhabitable for a period of 30 to 10,000 years.
Incidents during the transportation and disposal of nuclear fuel and waste. As a result, the material contaminated with isotopes spreads over a wide area.

Depending on the degree of radioactive contamination of the area, staying on it may be limited in time or completely prohibited.

Consequences of radioactive contamination

The level of radiation is measured in the number of isotopes received per unit of time. The radiation power is determined in roentgens per hour, the received dose is calculated by summing up all the indicators for the year. This component is measured in grays (Gy).

Depending on the amount of isotopes absorbed by the body, a person can get radiation sickness:

I degree. The disease does not pose a danger to humans, provided that they are evacuated from the infected area. It manifests itself in the form of weakness, headache, sleep disturbance and appetite. When receiving a dose of up to 2 Gy, recovery can occur in one and a half to two months.
II degree. In the case of receiving a dose of up to 4 Gy, a moderate lesion occurs. The patient experiences acute pain, the activity of internal organs and the central nervous system is disturbed. Outwardly, the disease is manifested by loss of hair, teeth and the formation of ulcers. Even qualified treatment does not give a complete recovery.
III degree. A dose of 4-6 Gy causes irreversible processes in the human body. Severe disease leads to organ failure and soft tissue necrosis. As a rule, with a concomitant loss of immunity, the disease leads to death.
IV degree. A severe form develops when patients receive more than 6 Gy. It is not possible to describe the symptoms experienced by patients, since their death occurred within hours after exposure. The lethal outcome was preceded by a complete violation of the structure of soft tissues, cardiac arrest and cessation of breathing.

A radiation injury is considered to be a dose received by a person, the value of which is less than 1 Gy.

Current background radiation standards

Radiation norms are averaged, obtained from the results of clinical studies of patients who received radiation doses of various levels. The received total doses can be received by people for different periods of time. The greater the radiation strength, the more dangerous the consequences can be and the more difficult the treatment. Therefore, the definition of what a normal radiation background is is established at the legislative level and is a value for regulating living or working conditions at an enterprise.

Radiation safety rules apply to the following categories of citizens:

military personnel serving on nuclear submarines and surface ships;
NPP personnel;
people living in areas with a high radiation background;
professional rescuers and workers of emergency teams working at nuclear power facilities;
medical workers who deal with devices containing radioactive elements;
scientists working with radioactive material.

According to studies, radiation with a power of 20 microroentgen per hour is considered absolutely safe for the health of an adult.

The limiting limit of radiation is considered to be a value equal to 50 microroentgen per hour. However, if during the year, receiving small doses of radiation at regular intervals, a person receives a total of 1 roentgen, then this will be practically safe for him. Radiation is gradually removed from the body. The current radioactive safety standards determine the maximum dose of radiation received in a lifetime within the range of 60-70 roentgens.

If we take the level of exposure to background radiation and gamma radiation in microsieverts per hour, then the acceptable safety margin is:

watching TV 3 hours a day throughout the year (0.005 mSv);
long flight by plane (0.01 mSv);
being in an open area in sunny weather (1 mSv);
work at nuclear power plants (0.05 mSv).

A dose of 11 μSv per hour is considered dangerous. It increases the risk of cancer.

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1 milliroentgen per hour [mR/h] = 1000 microroentgen per hour [µR/h]

Initial value

Converted value

gray per second exagray per second petagray per second teragray per second gigagray per second megagray per second kilogray per second hectogray per second decagray per second decigray per second centigray per second milligray per second microgray per second nanogray per second picogray per second femtogray per second attogray per second second rad per second joule per kilogram per second watt per kilogram sievert per second millisieverts per year millisieverts per hour microsieverts per hour rem per second roentgen per hour milliroentgen per hour microroentgen per hour

More about the absorbed dose rate and the total dose rate of ionizing radiation

General information

Radiation is a natural phenomenon that manifests itself in the fact that electromagnetic waves or elementary particles with high kinetic energy move inside the medium. In this case, the medium can be either matter or vacuum. Radiation is all around us, and our life without it is unthinkable, since the survival of humans and other animals without radiation is impossible. Without radiation, there will be no such natural phenomena necessary for life as light and heat on Earth. In this article, we will discuss a special type of radiation, ionizing radiation or the radiation that surrounds us everywhere. In what follows, in this article, by radiation we mean ionizing radiation.

Sources of radiation and its use

Ionizing radiation in a medium can arise either through natural or artificial processes. Natural sources of radiation include solar and cosmic radiation, as well as radiation from certain radioactive materials such as uranium. Such radioactive raw materials are mined in the depths of the earth's interior and used in medicine and industry. Sometimes radioactive materials get into the environment as a result of accidents at work and in industries where radioactive raw materials are used. Most often, this occurs due to non-compliance with safety rules for the storage and handling of radioactive materials, or due to the lack of such rules.

It is worth noting that until recently, radioactive materials were not considered hazardous to health, and on the contrary, they were used as healing drugs, and they were also valued for their beautiful glow. uranium glass is an example of radioactive material used for decorative purposes. This glass glows fluorescent green due to the addition of uranium oxide. The percentage of uranium in this glass is relatively small and the amount of radiation emitted by it is small, so uranium glass is currently considered safe for health. They even make glasses, plates, and other utensils from it. Uranium glass is valued for its unusual glow. The sun emits ultraviolet light, so uranium glass glows in sunlight, although this glow is much more pronounced under ultraviolet light lamps.

Radiation has many uses, from generating electricity to treating cancer patients. In this article, we will discuss how radiation affects tissues and cells in humans, animals, and biomaterials, focusing on how quickly and how severely radiation damage occurs to cells and tissues.

Definitions

Let's look at some definitions first. There are many ways to measure radiation, depending on what exactly we want to know. For example, one can measure the total amount of radiation in an environment; you can find the amount of radiation that disrupts the functioning of biological tissues and cells; or the amount of radiation absorbed by the body or organism, and so on. Here we will look at two ways to measure radiation.

The total amount of radiation in the environment, measured per unit of time, is called total dose rate of ionizing radiation. The amount of radiation absorbed by the body per unit of time is called absorbed dose rate. The total dose rate of ionizing radiation is easy to find using widely used measuring instruments, such as dosimeters, the main part of which is usually Geiger counters. The operation of these devices is described in more detail in the article on radiation exposure dose. The absorbed dose rate is found using information about the total dose rate and the parameters of the object, organism, or part of the body that is exposed to radiation. These parameters include mass, density and volume.

Radiation and biological materials

Ionizing radiation has a very high energy and therefore ionizes particles of biological material, including atoms and molecules. As a result, electrons are separated from these particles, which leads to a change in their structure. These changes are caused by the fact that ionization weakens or destroys chemical bonds between particles. This damages the molecules inside cells and tissues and disrupts their function. In some cases, ionization promotes the formation of new bonds.

Violation of the cells depends on how much radiation has damaged their structure. In some cases, disturbances do not affect the functioning of cells. Sometimes the work of the cells is disrupted, but the damage is small and the body gradually restores the cells to a working condition. In the process of normal functioning of cells, such violations often occur and the cells themselves return to normal. Therefore, if the level of radiation is low and the disturbances are small, then it is quite possible to restore the cells to their working state. If the level of radiation is high, then irreversible changes occur in the cells.

With irreversible changes, cells either do not work as they should, or stop working altogether and die. Radiation damage to vital and irreplaceable cells and molecules, such as DNA and RNA molecules, proteins or enzymes, causes radiation sickness. Cell damage can also cause mutations that can cause genetic diseases in the children of patients whose cells are affected. Mutations can also cause excessive cell division in patients' bodies - which in turn increases the chance of cancer.

Conditions that exacerbate the effects of radiation on the body

It is worth noting that some studies of the effect of radiation on the body, which were carried out in the 50s - 70s. last century, were unethical and even inhumane. In particular, these are studies conducted by the military in the United States and in the Soviet Union. Most of these experiments were carried out at test sites and designated areas for testing nuclear weapons, such as the Nevada test site in the United States, the Novaya Zemlya nuclear test site in what is now Russia, and the Semipalatinsk test site in what is now Kazakhstan. In some cases, experiments were carried out during military exercises, such as during the Totsk military exercises (USSR, in present-day Russia) and during the Desert Rock military exercises in Nevada, USA.

Radioactive releases during these experiments harmed the health of the military, as well as civilians and animals in the surrounding areas, since measures to protect against radiation were insufficient or completely absent. During these exercises, researchers, if you can call them that, studied the effects of radiation on the human body after atomic explosions.

From 1946 to the 1960s, experiments on the effect of radiation on the body were also carried out in some American hospitals without the knowledge and consent of the patients. In some cases, such experiments were even carried out on pregnant women and children. Most often, a radioactive substance was introduced into the patient's body during a meal or through an injection. Basically, the main purpose of these experiments was to see how radiation affects life and the processes occurring in the body. In some cases, the organs (for example, the brain) of deceased patients who received a dose of radiation during their lifetime were examined. Such studies were performed without the consent of the relatives of these patients. Most often, the patients on whom these experiments were performed were prisoners, terminally ill patients, the disabled, or people from the lower social classes.

Dose of radiation

We know that a large dose of radiation, called acute radiation dose, causes a threat to health, and the higher this dose, the higher the risk to health. We also know that radiation affects different cells in the body in different ways. Cells that undergo frequent division, as well as those that are not specialized, suffer the most from radiation. For example, cells in the fetus, blood cells, and cells of the reproductive system are most susceptible to the negative effects of radiation. Skin, bones, and muscle tissues are less affected, and the least effect of radiation is on nerve cells. Therefore, in some cases, the total destructive effect of radiation on cells that are less affected by radiation is less, even if they are exposed to more radiation than cells that are more affected by radiation.

According to the theory radiation hormesis small doses of radiation, on the contrary, stimulate the protective mechanisms in the body, and as a result, the body becomes stronger and less prone to disease. It should be noted that these studies are currently at an early stage, and it is not yet known whether such results can be obtained outside the laboratory. Now these experiments are carried out on animals and it is not known whether these processes occur in the human body. For ethical reasons, it is difficult to obtain permission for such research involving humans, as these experiments can be dangerous to health.

Radiation dose rate

Many scientists believe that the total amount of radiation an organism has been exposed to is not the only indicator of how much radiation affects the body. According to one theory, radiation power- also an important indicator of exposure and the higher the radiation power, the higher the exposure and the destructive effect on the body. Some scientists who study radiation power believe that at low radiation power, even prolonged exposure to radiation on the body does not harm health, or that the harm to health is insignificant and does not impair vital activity. Therefore, in some situations after accidents with leakage of radioactive materials, evacuation or resettlement of residents is not carried out. This theory explains the low harm to the body by the fact that the body adapts to low-power radiation, and recovery processes occur in DNA and other molecules. That is, according to this theory, the effect of radiation on the body is not as destructive as if the irradiation occurred with the same total amount of radiation but with a higher power, in a shorter period of time. This theory does not cover occupational exposure - in occupational exposure, radiation is considered dangerous even at low levels. It is also worth considering that research in this area has begun relatively recently, and that future research may give very different results.

It is also worth noting that according to other studies, if animals already have a tumor, then even small doses of radiation contribute to its development. This is very important information, because if in the future it is found that such processes also occur in the human body, then it is likely that those who already have a tumor will be harmed by radiation even at low power. On the other hand, at the moment we, on the contrary, use high power radiation for the treatment of tumors, but at the same time we irradiate only areas of the body in which there are cancer cells.

The safety rules for working with radioactive substances often indicate the maximum allowable total dose of radiation and the absorbed dose rate of radiation. For example, the exposure limits issued by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission are calculated on an annual basis, while the limits of some other similar agencies in other countries are calculated on a monthly or even hourly basis. Some of these restrictions and rules are designed to deal with accidents in which radioactive substances are released into the environment, but often their main purpose is to create rules for the safety of the workplace. They are used to limit the exposure of workers and researchers at nuclear power plants and other enterprises where they work with radioactive substances, airline pilots and crews, medical workers, including radiologists, and others. More information about ionizing radiation can be found in the article absorbed dose of radiation.

Health Hazard Caused by Radiation

unitconversion.org.

Radiation dose rate, µSv/h	Dangerous for health
>10 000 000	Deadly: organ failure and death within hours
1 000 000	Very dangerous to health: vomiting
100 000	Very dangerous to health: radioactive poisoning
1 000	Very dangerous: leave the infected area immediately!
100	Very dangerous: increased health risk!
20	Very dangerous: risk of radiation sickness!
10	Danger: Leave this area immediately!
5	Danger: Leave this area as soon as possible!
2	Increased risk: safety measures must be taken, e.g. in aircraft at cruising altitudes

The word "radiation" in the majority of the population is associated with man-made disasters, such as the atomic bombings of the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. If you briefly convey the feelings that most people have, it turns out that radiation is evil. Although in fact it existed on our planet long before the origin of life and will continue to exist even after the death of the planet.

The radiation rate for a person in microR/h is constantly monitored by special services in various areas of his life. And this is the threat that is difficult to fight, and if the radiation background is exceeded, the consequences can be the most deplorable. What threatens and what is the norm of radiation in microR / h for a person?

Nature itself is a natural source of radiation

Many factors are involved in the creation of the natural: these are both the sun's rays and radionuclides. It is present in literally everything that surrounds a person. This is water, food and air. It's just that its level has different values: greater or lesser. But the biggest danger that radiation is fraught with is that it imperceptibly affects the body.

The human senses give practically no signals of danger. She just quietly does her job, causing a pathology in the functioning of the body, and even leads to death.

What and how is the measurement of radiation

There are many measurement values, and they will be of interest, rather, to narrow specialists, so it is necessary to simplify the task and name only the most basic ones for domestic use.

The radiation that affects any living organism is called Calculating it is quite simple: the dose absorbed by the body in terms of body weight is multiplied by the damage factor. The resulting number is a unit of measurement in sieverts, or Sv for short. A natural background of 0.7 mSv per hour corresponds to approximately 70 roentgens per hour, or 70 µR/h for short. Knowing this value, it is easy to determine whether it is dangerous for humans.

The norm of radiation for a person μR / h are indicators of 20-50. Therefore, such background radiation is overestimated. But it is necessary to highlight one more point for understanding - the influence of time. That is, if you immediately leave such an unfavorable zone, and not stay there for days, then the exposure will not exceed the permissible radiation levels for a person.

Produced by special devices - dosimeters. They are usually distinguished into professional and household. The whole difference is in the amount of error that they can allow. For professional ones, it should be no more than 7%, and for household ones, it can be over 25%.

Mandatory monitoring sites

If we omit the need for measurements at military installations, nuclear power plants and aircraft, then it turns out that measurements take place in many areas of human life. And this is reasonable, especially given the emergence of new sources of radiation. Measurements are taken in forests, mountainous areas, residential buildings and industrial facilities. It will not be superfluous to carry out such an operation when acquiring some kind of real estate. Starting construction and when putting the facility into operation, such procedures are also carried out.

It's not worth talking about kindergartens, hospitals, schools. Summing up, we can say that in almost all spheres of life, the control of the norm of radiation and radiation for a person (μR / h) is carried out.

The monstrous power of ionization

Electrons can join the shell of an atom or, conversely, come off. This process is called ionization and is interesting because it can change the structure of an atom beyond recognition. Altered, it, in turn, changes the molecule. This is roughly how radiation affects the cells of a living organism. This leads to pathologies or simply to diseases.

When sources of ionizing radiation exceed the norm, such an area is considered to be contaminated. The United Nations gives an estimate of the norm of radiation for a person (in μR / h or sieverts), and it is 0.22 μSv, or 20 microroentgen per hour.

People may have a question: is radiation sickness transmitted, for example, through a handshake. Everyone needs to calm down right now. It is possible to communicate with irradiated people, and for this it is not at all necessary to wear a gas mask. The danger is hidden in objects that emit radiation - you just can’t touch them.

Is it possible to get a dose of radiation in your own apartment?

It is customary to consider your home the safest place on earth. This is partly true, but there are threatening factors there as well. It is necessary to briefly touch on the issue of the radiation rate for a person and the doses that he can receive, even while being in an apartment with his family.

It is generally accepted that modern technology is a source of danger, but for the most part people are mistaken. Danger may not lurk where it is expected. As an example, you can take old expensive things. Watches can shorten life significantly. Especially if they use radium-226 salts as light mass.

This also applies to watches with a luminous dial. If they were created in the 50s and they are army, then you can be guaranteed to consider them radioactive. When in contact with the body, they do not pose a danger, but sometimes inquisitive minds can make out them, and here an unpleasant surprise awaits them.

Glassware lovers should be aware that sometimes uranium dioxide is present in the paint. Modern dishes with such a coating are less dangerous. Antique lovers can attract a lot of "interesting" items to their collection using a permanent light source, so beware.

Evaluation of the permissible norm in peacetime and wartime

The radiation rate for a person in microR/h and the doses of safe exposure are calculated with the conditions of the political life of the state during peace or war. Different states have their own numbers.

The upper permissible value of a safe radioactive background in Brazil is generally 100 μR / h, and in Russia this figure fluctuates around 50-60 μR / h. The norms of contamination with radioactive substances are determined. The rate should not exceed 30 microR / h.

In the conditions of warfare, a territory with readings of 0.5 roentgen per hour is considered contaminated. What is the norm of radiation for a person in mkr / h in war conditions prescribed by the Ministry of Defense? A soldier remains in the ranks if, on the basis of the first day, the exposure did not exceed 50 rads, and for the year 300 rads.

Exposure to small and large doses of radiation is dangerous. In the first case, it can reach oncology and genetic diseases, the special cunning of which will manifest itself in a few years. In the second case, a person immediately gets acute radiation sickness. It has 4 degrees, depending on the received during the stay in an unfavorable zone.

Extremely severe degree 600-1000 rad. People with pronounced symptoms have apathy, lethargy, they refuse to eat. Bleeding can occur, and any infection is extremely difficult to tolerate due to a weakened immune system.

The impact of human activity on the radiation background of the planet Earth

In ancient times, human activity could not affect the radiation background of the Earth. When coal is burned, potassium, uranium-238 and thorium are released. Thanks to this, archaeologists find ancient human settlements.

But with the development of industry, a person has ceased to be harmless and invisible to the planet. He became a threat to her existence. Nuclear weapons can cause irreparable consequences in the form of climate change. All living things will perish if humanity does not stop.

A study of the degree of contamination of the territory near the oil fields showed that it is increasing. History knows major man-made disasters (Fukushima, Chernobyl) that caused irreparable damage to the environment. And this is just the beginning. All the horror of the tragedy associated with strontium will still manifest itself. And at the moment, iodine-131 and strontium-90, getting into the body with food, cause internal radiation.

These infamous accidents affected everyone - albeit imperceptibly, but this is the special insidiousness of radiation. What is the allowable rate for a person in mcr / h, in different countries is interpreted differently, due to many different factors. But these numbers can change very easily. You don't have to look far for examples. It is enough to look at the experience of the Republic of Belarus.

Products that reduce the level of radiation in the body

Nature itself made sure that a person in a natural way through food could reduce the effects of radiation, these are vegetables such as onions, garlic, carrots, all that vegetable gardens are rich in. The main thing is that they are "natural", and not accelerated cultivation. Seaweed, walnuts compensate for the lack of iodine in the human body. Horseradish and mustard will also not be superfluous products on the table.

There is an erroneous opinion that strong alcoholic drinks remove radiation from the body - this is not so. Vodka, red wine practically do not affect its quantity. The only reservation can be clarified that red wine in small quantities can be used as a preventive measure, but nothing more.

Conclusion

Radiation was, is and will be. The norm of radiation for a person in μR / h is prescribed and confirmed by many studies. Unfortunately, in recent years, humanity is increasingly faced with problems associated with radioactive contamination. Therefore, it depends on people what consequences all this will have in the future.