Background Radiation: A Pictorial Perspective

Giovanni Bibbo and Lino PiottoWomen’s & Children’s Hospital, Adelaide

ARPS 35 Annual Conference, 18 October 2010, Adelaide

Background RadiationBackground Radiation

We are all exposed to ionising radiation because of very nature of our environment

2 sources of radiation:

of natural origin => background radiation

artificially produced

We are all exposed to ionising radiation because of very nature of our environment

2 sources of radiation:

of natural origin => background radiation

artificially produced

Sources of Background Radiation Disintegration/s (Bq)

From radioactive elements internal to our body:K-40: ~4,500 ,

[0.01% of K]C-14: ~3,200

+ other Po, Bi,

uranium etc

From outer space in form of cosmic rays:~140 cosmic

From radioactive elements in air & water:~100 from H-3, C-14 radon, thoron

+ others

From radioactive elements in earth’s crust:~50,000

Sources of Background RadiationSources of Background Radiation

Origin of this radiation goes back to begin of time when radiation dominated universe

Amount of radiation we receive depends on:

where we live

diet

our life style

Origin of this radiation goes back to begin of time when radiation dominated universe

Amount of radiation we receive depends on:

where we live

diet

our life style

Radon51.9%

Cosmic16.0%

Terrestrial19.8%

Ingestion11.9%

Average World Background Radiation

fallout from nuclear tests,

Chernobyl accident &

nuclear power plants

Other0.4%

Total background radiation = 2.43 mSv/y

Data from UNSCEAR 2008

Annual Background Radiation in S Australia

Ingestion24.5%

Cosmic18.3%

Radon12.2%

Terrestrial36.7%

Consumer7.6%

Other < 1%

Estimated total Background Radiation

= 1.5 mSv/y

Background Radiation used as Comparator of Risk

Background Radiation used as Comparator of Risk

Common to use background radiation to explain risk to layperson:

patients,

general public &

often to doctors

Common to use background radiation to explain risk to layperson:

patients,

general public &

often to doctors

Background Radiation used as Comparator of Risk

Background Radiation used as Comparator of Risk

Code of practice suggests in Annex 2: Communication of the risk to the research participant that “Sometimes it may be helpful to use a comparator of risk” so that “risks are communicated in a manner that will be understood by the research”

E.g., statement: “This research study involves exposure to ….. amount of radiation. As part of everyday living, everyone is exposed to naturally occurring background radiation and receives a dose of about 2 millisieverts (mSv) each year. The effective dose from this study is about.... mSv etc”

Problem of making this comparison is that we do not take in consideration the effect that dose rate may have:

e.g., effect of delivering 50 mSv to brain in ~ 10 s in a CT scan may be different from 50 mSv delivered to brain in ~ 20 y from background radiation

but this is another story!

Code of practice suggests in Annex 2: Communication of the risk to the research participant that “Sometimes it may be helpful to use a comparator of risk” so that “risks are communicated in a manner that will be understood by the research”

E.g., statement: “This research study involves exposure to ….. amount of radiation. As part of everyday living, everyone is exposed to naturally occurring background radiation and receives a dose of about 2 millisieverts (mSv) each year. The effective dose from this study is about.... mSv etc”

Problem of making this comparison is that we do not take in consideration the effect that dose rate may have:

e.g., effect of delivering 50 mSv to brain in ~ 10 s in a CT scan may be different from 50 mSv delivered to brain in ~ 20 y from background radiation

but this is another story!

Background Radiation used as Comparator of Risk

Background Radiation used as Comparator of Risk

Another problem is that in general, laypersons have no knowledge of existence of background radiation

Background radiation is an abstract concept to layperson because our senses cannot detector ionising radiation

Quantifying background radiation (Sv or mSv)

has no meaning to lay person &

does not provide proof that this radiation exists

Showing an image of radiation emitted from objects is more credible

A picture is worth a 1,000 words

Japanese 1st ones to image background radiation with an imaging plate

Another problem is that in general, laypersons have no knowledge of existence of background radiation

Background radiation is an abstract concept to layperson because our senses cannot detector ionising radiation

Quantifying background radiation (Sv or mSv)

has no meaning to lay person &

does not provide proof that this radiation exists

Showing an image of radiation emitted from objects is more credible

A picture is worth a 1,000 words

Japanese 1st ones to image background radiation with an imaging plate

Ref: Prof C Mori, Dept of Nucl Engn, Graduate School of Engn, Nagoya University

Slices of vegetables placed on imaging plate & kept there for 20 d in in shielded box with 100 mm Pb walls

Organic material including human body contain small quantity of mostly K-40, C-14 & H-3

Piece of pork placed on imaging plate & kept there for 20 d in in shielded box with 100 mm Pb walls

Fat => white region contains little radioactivity

Lean meat contains most of radioactivity

Ref: Prof C Mori, Dept of Nucl Engn, Graduate School of Engn, Nagoya University

Rock on imaging plate for 2 d

Granite contains U, Th & K-40

Levels of radioactivity varies from place to place

Ref.1: Prof C Mori, Dept of Nucl Engn, Graduate School of Engn, Nagoya University

MethodologyMethodologyImaging plate is CR screen (barium fluorohalide phosphor)

Wrapped in freeze bag

MethodologyMethodology

Pb castle

Walls 50 mm thick

Radiation we Live WithRadiation we Live With

Sea salt

Red brick

Dark brick

TileCream brick

Radiation we Live WithRadiation we Live With

2 pieces of same tile

In the KitchenIn the Kitchen

Granite: kitchen bench top (photo)

GemstonesGemstones

Carnelian Aventurine

Rose quartzPicture Jasper

SodaliteAgate

Tiger EyeRock Crystal

AmazoniteRed Jasper

Picture Jasper SpectrumPicture Jasper Spectrum

Stone placed in a well counter for 1 h

Spectrum range 0 – 540 keV

2 peaks

1st peak at ~ 45 keV

2nd peak at ~ 140 keV

Background spectrum also measured – no peaks

Stone placed in a well counter for 1 h

Spectrum range 0 – 540 keV

2 peaks

1st peak at ~ 45 keV

2nd peak at ~ 140 keV

Background spectrum also measured – no peaks

Radiation we EatRadiation we Eat

Radiation we EatRadiation we Eat

Radiation we EatRadiation we Eat

Sugar grains

Rice cracker

Rice grains

Spice Rice cracker

BQ shapes

Gnocchi

Pasta

Oat bread wrap

Dark

Brown

White

SquidHam

Chicken

Fish

Radiation we EatRadiation we Eat

Fast FoodFast Food

After 20 DaysAfter 20 Days

Radiation we can DetectRadiation we can Detect

X-rays Gamma rays High energy beta particles

X-rays Gamma rays High energy beta particles

Low energy beta particles

Low energy electrons

Alpha particles

Radiation we cannot Detect

Next Project: to Image Hormesis Stones/Material

Next Project: to Image Hormesis Stones/Material

Stones/materials advertised on INTERNET exploiting hormesis effect of radiation

Several stones/materials for purchase

Stones/materials advertised on INTERNET exploiting hormesis effect of radiation

Several stones/materials for purchase

Ref: www.radiationhormesis.com/stones

Hormesis StonesHormesis Stones

Green Stone

Was commonly used in Atlantis &Lemuria because of its healing properties

To be held or rubbed lightly against areas of pain

Helps to heal open sores that are not healing well

If run under hot water before use, it to increases its effectiveness

Green Stone

Was commonly used in Atlantis &Lemuria because of its healing properties

To be held or rubbed lightly against areas of pain

Helps to heal open sores that are not healing well

If run under hot water before use, it to increases its effectiveness

Hormesis StonesHormesis StonesWater stone

Place in a gallon of water for 8 h or over night

Then drink water during day

Water will only remain irradiated for up to 3 h when removed from source

Water stone

Place in a gallon of water for 8 h or over night

Then drink water during day

Water will only remain irradiated for up to 3 h when removed from source

Hormesis StonesHormesis StonesMud Pack

May be placed comfortably on any part of body that you wish to treat

Most people put these right under sheets in bed to sleep on

Necklace

Highly recommended to those who have lung cancer, or breast cancer

Other stones, etc

Mud Pack

May be placed comfortably on any part of body that you wish to treat

Most people put these right under sheets in bed to sleep on

Necklace

Highly recommended to those who have lung cancer, or breast cancer

Other stones, etc

Hormesis Stones: Side EffectsHormesis Stones: Side Effects

You may feel a headache, more pain, digestive challenges (similar to flu), swelling or a temporary worsening of your symptoms

Do not worry!

Stones are killing fungus and helping to remove poisons from your system

This is time for your body to detox, so relax and take this time to be gentle with yourself

If symptoms are too intense, back off and use the stones for a shorter period of time, drink less charged water and increase consumption of regular water

You may stop using stones and water if you absolutely need to for about 24 h

Do not exceed this 24 h period

Begin use again at a slower rate and try to use them as much you can tolerate

You may feel a headache, more pain, digestive challenges (similar to flu), swelling or a temporary worsening of your symptoms

Do not worry!

Stones are killing fungus and helping to remove poisons from your system

This is time for your body to detox, so relax and take this time to be gentle with yourself

If symptoms are too intense, back off and use the stones for a shorter period of time, drink less charged water and increase consumption of regular water

You may stop using stones and water if you absolutely need to for about 24 h

Do not exceed this 24 h period

Begin use again at a slower rate and try to use them as much you can tolerate

SummarySummary

Our senses cannot detect radiation

Possible to image environmental radiation

Radioactivity definitely present in:

food we eat

soil & buildings

A picture is worth a 1,000 words

Our senses cannot detect radiation

Possible to image environmental radiation

Radioactivity definitely present in:

food we eat

soil & buildings

A picture is worth a 1,000 words

Thank you