Background Radiation

Background radiation refers to the natural ionising radiation present in our environment. This environment includes space, the Earth’s crust, the atmosphere, and even inside our own bodies.
While most background radiation originates naturally from cosmic rays and radioactive isotopes in the earth, some comes from man-made sources such as fallout from atomic weaponry and nuclear accidents, discharge from nuclear power stations, and medical procedures like X-rays and CT scans.
The annual dosage of background radiation varies globally, with the biggest contributing factors being altitude and the geographic concentration of naturally radioactive materials.
Background radiation typically contributes to ionisation incidents in our body cells, with a small but persistent risk of causing damage.
It is important to measure the amount of background radiation in an area when conducting experiments involving radiation, as it can interfere with results.
The units used to measure radiation dose are the grey (Gy) for radiation absorption and the sievert (Sv) for the biological effects of radiation.
Special equipment, including Geiger-Müller counters, scintillation detectors, and dosimeters, is used to detect and measure background radiation.
Some materials can provide shielding against background radiation, reducing exposure. Examples include lead for gamma rays and plastic for beta particles.
The risk to human health from exposure to background radiation is considered to be low compared to other health risks, but it is not negligible, particularly for those living in areas with high levels of natural background radiation.