Radiation in human everyday life. Sources of radiation in everyday life

Radiation exposure from nuclear power plants is unlikely to increase the natural level of radioactivity on our planet. There is no reason for alarm, especially when comparing the benefits of nuclear power plants with their immeasurably small impact on the radioactivity of our environment. All calculations were carried out on a large scale: in relation to the entire planet and humanity for decades to come. Naturally, the question arises: are we not colliding with invisible rays in everyday life? Does a person not create additional sources of radiation around him during this or that activity, do we not use these sources, sometimes not associating them with the action of atomic radiation?

IN modern life a person really creates a number of sources influencing him, sometimes very weak, and sometimes quite strong.

Consider the well-known X-ray diagnostic devices that are equipped with all polyclinics and with which we encounter during all kinds of preventive examinations carried out on a mass scale among the population. Statistics show that the number of people undergoing X-ray examination is increasing every year by 5-15%, depending on the country and the level of medical care. We all know very well what great benefits X-ray diagnostics brings to modern medicine. The man got sick. The doctor sees signs of a serious illness. X-ray examination often provides decisive data, following which the doctor prescribes treatment and saves a person's life. In all these cases, it is no longer important what dose of radiation the patient receives during a particular procedure. We are talking about a sick person, about the elimination of an immediate threat to his health, and in this situation it is hardly appropriate to consider the possible long-term consequences of the irradiation procedure itself.

But over the past decade in medicine, there has been a tendency for the increased use of X-ray examinations of the healthy population, from schoolchildren and conscripts to the army and ending with the population of mature age - in the order of medical examination. Of course, doctors here, too, set humane goals for themselves: to timely reveal the onset of a still latent disease in order to begin treatment on time and with great success. As a result, thousands, hundreds of thousands of healthy people go through X-ray rooms. Ideally, doctors tend to do these examinations annually. As a result, the overall exposure of the population increases. What radiation doses are we talking about during medical examinations?

The Scientific Committee for the Study of the Effects of Atomic Radiation at the United Nations has carefully studied this issue, and the findings have surprised many. It turned out that today the population receives the highest radiation dose from medical examinations. Having calculated the total average radiation dose for the entire population of developed countries from various sources of radiation, the committee found that exposure from power reactors, even by 2000, is unlikely to exceed 2 - 4% of natural radiation, from radioactive fallout 3 - 6%, and from medical of irradiation, the population annually receives doses that reach 20% of the natural background.

Each diagnostic "transillumination" gives irradiation to the organ under study, starting from a dose equal to the annual dose from the natural background (approximately 0.1 rad) to a dose exceeding it by 50 times (up to 5 rad). Of particular interest are the doses received from diagnostic radiographs of critical tissues such as gonads (increasing the likelihood of genetic damage to the offspring) or hematopoietic tissues such as bone marrow.

On average, medical diagnostic "x-rays" for the population of developed countries (England, Japan, USSR, USA, Sweden, etc.) make up an average annual dose equal to one fifth of the natural background radiation.

This, of course, is on average very large doses, comparable to the natural background, and it is hardly appropriate here to talk about any danger. Nevertheless, modern technology makes it possible to reduce dose loads during preventive examinations, and this should be used.

A significant reduction in the radiation dose during X-ray examinations can be achieved by improving the equipment, protection, increasing the sensitivity of the recording devices and reducing the exposure time.

Where else in our daily life do we encounter increased ionizing radiation?

At one time, watches with a luminous dial became widespread. The luminescent mass applied to the dial included radium salts. Radium radiation excited the luminescent paint, and it glowed in the dark with a bluish light. But the? -Radiation of radium with an energy of 0.18 MeV penetrated beyond the clock and irradiated the surrounding space. A typical hand-held luminous watch contained 0.015 to 4.5 mCi of radium. The calculation showed that the greatest dose of radiation (about 2 - 4 rad) per year is received by the muscle tissues of the arm. Muscle tissue is comparatively radio-resistant, and this circumstance did not bother radiobiologists. But the luminous watch, which is on the hand for a very long time, is located at the level of the gonads and, therefore, can cause significant irradiation of these radiosensitive cells. That is why special calculations of the dose per year for these tissues have been undertaken.

Based on the calculations that the watch is on the hand 16 hours a day, the possible dose of irradiation of the gonads was calculated. It turned out to be in the range from 1 to 60 mrad / year. A significantly higher dose can be obtained from large pocket watches, especially if carried in a vest pocket. In this case, the radiation dose can increase up to 100 mrad. A survey of vendors behind a counter with many luminous clocks showed that the radiation dose was around 70 mrad. Such doses, doubling the natural radioactive background, increase the likelihood of hereditary damage in the offspring. That is why the International Agency for the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy in 1967 recommended replacing radium in the luminous masses with such radionuclides as tritium (H3) or promethium-147 (Pm147), which have soft γ-radiation, completely absorbed by the watch shell.

It is impossible not to mention the multitude of luminous devices in aircraft cockpits, control panels, etc. Of course, radiation levels are very different depending on the number of devices, their location and distance from the worker, which must be constantly taken into account by the sanitary supervision authorities.

Next, we will focus on the TV, which is used in the everyday life of any citizen. Televisions are so widespread in modern society that the question of the dose of radiation from televisions has been thoroughly investigated. The intensity of the weak secondary radiation of the screen bombarded by the electron beam depends on the voltage under which the given TV system operates. As a rule, black-and-white televisions operating at a voltage of 15 kV give doses of 0.5 - 1 mrad / h on the surface of the screen. However, this soft radiation is absorbed by the glass or plastic coating of the tube, and already at a distance of 5 cm from the screen, radiation is practically not detected.

The situation is different with color TVs. Working at a much higher voltage, they give from 0.5 to 150 mrad / h near the screen at a distance of 5 cm. Suppose you watch color TV three to four days a week for three hours a day. In a year we will receive from 1 to 80 glad (not mrad, but glad!). this figure is already significantly higher than the natural background radiation. In reality, the doses that humans receive are much smaller. The greater the distance from a person to the TV, the lower the radiation dose - it falls in proportion to the square of the distance.

Radiation from TV shouldn't worry us. TV systems are constantly being improved, and their external radiation is reduced.

Another source of weak radiation in our daily life is the products made of colored ceramics and majolica. Since ancient times, uranium compounds, which form heat-resistant paints, have been used to create the characteristic color of the glaze, which gives artistic value to ceramic dishes, vases and majolica dishes. Uranium, a long-lived natural radionuclide, always contains daughter decay products, which give rather hard γ-radiation, which is easily detected by modern counters near the surface of ceramic objects. The radiation intensity decreases rapidly with distance, and if there are ceramic jugs, majolica dishes or figurines on shelves in apartments, then, admiring them at a distance of 1-2 m, a person receives a vanishingly small dose of radiation. The situation is somewhat different with the fairly common ceramic coffee and tea sets. They hold the cup in their hands, touch it with their lips. True, such contacts are short-lived, and no significant exposure occurs.

Corresponding calculations have been made for the most common ceramic coffee cups. If during the day 90 minutes directly contact with ceramic dishes, then for a year from? -Radiation hands can receive a dose of radiation from 2 to 10 rad. This dose is 100 times higher than the natural background radiation.

An interesting problem arose in Germany and the USA in connection with the widespread use of a special patented mass for the manufacture of artificial porcelain teeth, which included uranium and cerium compounds. These additives caused weak fluorescence of the porcelain teeth. Dentures were weak sources of radiation. But since they are constantly in the mouth, the gums received a tangible dose. A special law was issued regulating the uranium content in the porcelain of artificial teeth (not more than 0.1%). Even with this content, the oral epithelium will receive a dose of about 3 rad per year, i.e. the dose is 30 times higher than from the natural background.

Some types of optical glasses are made with the addition of thorium (18-30%). The manufacture of spectacle lenses from such glass resulted in a weak but persistent irradiation of the eyes. Thorium content in eyeglass lenses is now regulated by law.

Incredible facts

Each of us is familiar with things and devices that transmit radiation harmful to humans, which means they are radioactive to one degree or another.

Many years have passed since the tragedy in Chernobyl, Hiroshima and Nagasaki. However, to this day, people are experiencing the terrible effects of radioactive radiation.

But there are things that we did not even know about the radioactivity.

Brazil nut: harm

1. Brazil nut

This product has been proven to be one of the most radioactive in the world. Experts have found that after eating even a small portion of Brazil nuts, a person's urine and feces become extremely radioactive.

The reason for this is quite simple: the roots of Brazil nut trees go so deep into the ground that they absorb huge amounts of radium, which is a natural source of radiation.

2. Station in New York

Central Railway Station in New York is one of the largest stations in the world. Surely, many of those who have visited it would have been surprised to learn that this place is considered one of the most radioactive in the world.

And all because the walls of the station, as well as its foundation, were built using granite. It has long been known that this material has the ability to trap natural radiation.

It has been proven that the radiation level at the central railway station in New York exceeds all permissible standards and can only be compared with the level that is produced by nuclear power plants.

Denver city

3. Life in Denver

Scientific evidence suggests that the higher you climb a mountain, the more cosmic radiation your body is exposed to.

You can refer to the following: the layer of the atmosphere surrounding our planet becomes less and less as a person rises higher and higher. On this basis, we receive less protection from harmful radiation as we rise further and further from the ground.

Denver residents face the problem of the strongest radiation every day, since the city is located at an altitude of about two kilometers above sea level.

As a result of this location, people suffer from radiation about twice as many people who live in cities located below the level. However, despite high level radiation, science has revealed one interesting feature: the inhabitants of mountainous areas have a much higher life expectancy.

It is enough to give an example of Caucasian centenarians. Experts say that, perhaps, it is radiation that is the reason for their good health. Does cosmic radiation make a person live longer? Scientists find it difficult to give an unambiguous answer to this question.

Exit sign

4. Door indicators

Surely each of us in our daily life, when visiting certain places, came across a sign that indicates the entrance and exit in the room. This specially illuminated sign helps people to save themselves during various natural disasters.

Even when the electricity is completely de-energized, these signs continue to glow as they are not connected to the main power supply in the building. A quite reasonable question arises: how, then, is the backlight done?

Thanks to the radioactive isotope of hydrogen contained inside the sign, such a glow effect is obtained. However, there is another danger: if the sign breaks with a strong impact or collision with another object, then radioactive isotopes, getting into the air, can infect the entire building.

Thus, they become hazardous to human health.

Cat litter production

5. Cat litter

If you have a cat in your home, the likelihood that you can receive additional radiation increases several times.

Experts have proven that an ordinary and seemingly harmless cat litter can become a source of radiation in the house. The reason for this is quite simple: bentonite clay is used in their production.

This one of the main components of the filler is quite harmful not only for animals, but also for humans. Bentonite clay gives off the strongest radiation.

The danger also lies in the fact that when we throw away used patches, their contents penetrate into the soil, and then, with a great probability, can enter the groundwater.

Here lies the most terrible danger for all mankind. Contaminated water can cause very serious diseases and epidemics. One can imagine how many harmful compounds the soil receives annually just from such landfills.

6. Bananas

Like Brazil nuts, this product also produces a lot of radiation, with the only difference that in the case of Brazil nuts, the root of the tree is responsible for absorbing harmful radiation.

In bananas, radioactivity is present in their genetic code initially. However, lovers of this fruit can be calm: after all, you need to eat at least 5 million fruits for the first symptoms of radiation sickness to appear.

Nevertheless, special devices record a rather high level of radioactivity in bananas. Therefore, you should be very careful with this favorite delicacy.

Granite countertop

7. This part of the kitchen interior can be a source of radiation. As mentioned above, granite is a source of natural radiation. Therefore, if you have a granite countertop in your kitchen, the chances of getting a little radiation are very high.

You may not eat bananas or Brazil nuts, but you will still be exposed radioactive impact... Food processed on such a countertop also becomes a source of radiation, even if it emits small amounts of it.

What is the harm from cigarettes

8. Cigarettes

It is unlikely that anyone will be surprised by the fact that smoking is one of the most pernicious human habits. The media warns us daily about the dangers of tobacco.

However, in addition to a number of harmful elements, some cigarettes contain a life-threatening radioactive material polonium - 210. The radioactive isotope of this substance is present in small concentrations in tobacco leaves.

When a smoker takes a drag on a cigarette, harmful elements enter the human organs and settle in them.

Although polonium is found in very small quantities in cigarettes, it accumulates over time and can subsequently lead to the development of a number of cancers. The most common illness that befalls a smoker is cancer of the lungs and throat.

Old dishes

9. Old ceramics and glass

Many of us keep old dishes as a memory of something or someone dear. However, experts advise to get rid of old dishes immediately. According to them, many items of pottery production before 1960 are radioactive.

First of all, this applies to dishes of red and orange color, which contain uranium, which is harmful to the human body. It was this element that was used together with the glaze that covered the dishes in those days.

The mixture of uranium and such glaze produced a distinctive bright color. The same goes for old glass with a greenish tint. It is better to get rid of such dishes, which, in all likelihood, contain uranium, and in some cases also lead.

10. Gloss

If a publisher wants to increase circulation and demand for his magazine, he starts printing it on glossy paper. It is difficult to disagree with the fact that such a publication looks more attractive and respectable for the buyer.

Of course, the gloss attracts the majority. However, there is another side to the coin. As with cat litter, the gloss uses kaolin, a type of white clay.

Kaolin has the ability to retain radioactive elements such as uranium and thorium. This clay is also used as a food additive, as well as one of the ingredients in many medicines, patented by the state.

The very word radiation comes from Latin. Literally translated, it means "radiance" or "irradiation". In physical terms, radiation implies the process of converting energy at the physical and chemical level. During this transformation of substances, the influence of ionizing radiation occurs. At the same time, they do not differ in any characteristic features such as a special smell or taste. Also, a person cannot touch them.

Despite the stereotype that the origin of radiation is the work of human hands, this is not entirely true. Natural sources of radiation have existed in the world since its inception. Irradiation took an active part in the creation of our planet in the form that mankind now has. All living things had to constantly adapt to the characteristics of the radiation background in the environment changing for various reasons.

Sources of radioactive radiation

Schematically all existing sources ionizing radiation can be divided into two broad categories. Their sorting is based on the principle of origin. The following types of radiation are distinguished:

natural,
artificial.

Also, each individual category has in stock more accurate classifications in various formats. So, for example, natural sources of ionizing radiation can be divided into two more families:

space,
earthly.

The first option, as the name implies, implies exposure to radiation through various cosmic phenomena. After their origin somewhere in the vastness of the galaxy, they enter the territory of the Earth.

Often, their influence reaches all life on our planet in a couple of ways:

increased solar activity;
flares on surrounding stars.

Also, specialists have a separate sorting, which is responsible for divisions according to the methods of education:

primary,
secondary.

In the first case, the rays penetrate the site the earth's surface at the speed of light. Such a stream is highly energetic. It contains protons as well as alpha particles. The primary type of radiation is highly influenced magnetic field... This explains the neutralization of its effects at an altitude of 20 kilometers in contact with the atmosphere. Most often, this variant of radiation activity can be recorded at an altitude of 45 km above sea level.

The situation with secondary exposure is much more complicated. It is represented by a large number elementary particles... Secondary radiation arises on the basis of the primary one when it comes into contact with some elements of the earth's atmosphere.

Most often, secondary radiation is recorded at an altitude of up to 25 km. An additional factor that enhances the influence here is solar activity. During the period with low energies.

The penetrating power of natural radiation depends on several factors, including:

height above sea level;
the position of our planet in orbit;
protective functions of the Earth's atmosphere.

Space and terrestrial radiation

In the course of numerous studies, experts have come to the conclusion that cosmic radiation is based on the following components:

Proton radiation. The percentage of the total content is 87%.
Alpha radiation. About 12% is accounted for by the nuclei of helium atoms.
Kernels of heavy elements. They account for only 1%. Similar elements are formed during stellar explosions, inside celestial bodies.

Cosmic radiation also involves a small number of electrons, positrons and photons. They are considered products of thermonuclear fusion, or products released after the explosion of stars.

A huge contribution to radiation of cosmic origin is made by the Sun as the closest star to us.

Solar radiation is somewhat weaker than radiation coming from the depths of space. On the other hand, the density of solar radiation is considered to be higher than the classical cosmic radiation can provide.

In addition to radiation from space, which has followed a person from birth, Earth also has its own sources of radioactive radiation. They also have a natural origin (this means that a person is not involved in their education). Primary sources can be found both in the bowels of the planet and on its surface. Sources can be found in water and even plants. At the same time, such radiation cannot bring significant harm to the human body. This is explained by the natural stability of the radiation background surrounding a person.

Separately, it is worth highlighting the format of separation of ionizing radiation according to the effect on the body. There are two categories:

internal,
external.

The second situation is cosmic radiation, solar flares. In addition, radiation can overtake a person from the bowels of the earth. This is due to processes within rocks involving natural gas.

Internal exposure occurs when a person, on purpose or by negligence, takes a radiation source orally. In addition to radiation that has entered the body through the digestive system, it can also enter the body by inhalation.

But if natural radiation of cosmic origin is at least relatively adapted for all living things, then with an artificial format of terrestrial origin it is more difficult. After all, every year a person uses more and more radiation sources in everyday life. Among them, the most common areas are usually called:

construction;
nuclear power plants;
nuclear testing;
agriculture;
production of phosphate fertilizers.

The nature of ionizing radiation

Any ionizing radiation can be attributed to one of two versions:

electromagnetic,
corpuscular.

The division is based on their nature. In the first case, the wave origin is as close as possible to visible light, and the range belongs to the ultra shortwave category. Such irradiation spreads at the speed of light and, at the same time, has a particularly high penetrating power.

The most famous representatives of such exposure among ordinary people are:

x-rays.

Corpuscular radiation provides three other representatives:

alpha rays,
beta particles,
neutrons.

Alpha particles are the most powerful beams in terms of ionizing ability. This makes them the most dangerous for all life on our planet. But, despite the threat to the existence of humanity, these rays have a small penetrating ability. In practice, this means that the beam will not be able to harm a person if you move away from him at least half a meter or fenced off with a cardboard shield.

Beta particles, on the contrary, have a more impressive penetrating ability to the detriment of ionizing ability.

Neutron radiation is highly penetrating. The researchers note that it threatens a person with external radiation.

Any natural and artificial sources of ionizing radiation entail an impact on the surrounding organisms. The severity will directly depend on distinctive features the radiation itself, as well as a specific dosage.

Based on these principles, people have learned to protect themselves from possible defeats by acting ahead of the curve.

Control radiation source

In addition to man-made sources of radiation and natural root causes, modern science knows another source. It is a reference radiation source that is vital to the instrumentation industry.

It is with their help that the craftsmen create high-precision devices for measuring the radiation background.

From a technical point of view, a control source is an object of ionizing radiation created for the good. For the convenience of their operation, experts have divided such sources into two equivalent types:

open,
closed.

The closed format fully protects environment from possible ingress of radioactive elements from the device. Open source scientists work on the opposite principle. But regardless of the type chosen, it is always worth remembering its expiration date. Before release, such a device is assessed according to the state standard.

All existing control devices are on a special account. Without restrictions, you can exploit sources that do not pose a potential threat.

If an enterprise wants to get such an addition at its disposal, then it will not be possible to get the source without a license obtained in advance. Along with obtaining a source, certain responsibilities are imposed on the company. Uncontrolled use of the device is prohibited.

The actions associated with the control source are separately documented. Even its disposal is recorded so that after disposal the device is not used on the side.

We talked about how they look today in one of our previous reviews - “70 years after hell. Photo of Hiroshima and Nagasaki - then and now. "

But, if you think about it, in everyday life we \u200b\u200bare constantly faced with radiation in small doses. And this, in general, does not cause anxiety and fear in anyone. Together with the project, the Anews editorial board offers to look at the most important sources of radiation that surround us almost all the time.

Airport scanners

Over the past few years, many major airports have acquired security scanners. They differ from conventional metal detecting frames in that they "create" a complete image of a person on the screen using Backscatter X-ray backscattered radiation technology. In this case, the rays do not pass through - they are reflected. As a result, a passenger undergoing security checks receives a small dose of X-rays.

During scanning, objects of different density are painted on the screen in different colors. For example, metal items will appear as a black spot.

There is another type of scanner that uses millimeter-wave waves. It is a transparent capsule with rotating antennas.

Unlike metal detector frames, such devices are considered to be more effective in finding prohibited items. Scanner manufacturers claim that they are absolutely safe for the health of passengers. However, large-scale studies on this matter in the world have not yet been carried out. Therefore, the opinions of experts were divided: some support manufacturers, others believe that such devices still cause some harm.

For example, biochemist at the University of California, David Agard, believes that an X-ray scanner is still harmful. According to the scientist, a person undergoing security checks on this device receives 20 times more radiation than stated by the manufacturers.

By the way, in 2011, Gennady Onishchenko, who at that time was the chief sanitary doctor of the Russian Federation, expressed concern about the use of such scanners by airports.

In his opinion, due to frequent "examinations" the passenger may have health problems. In a year, the head of Rospotrebnadzor specified, you can go through the scanner no more than 20 times.

“It is better to undress in front of a policeman,” the head of Rospotrebnadzor said at the time.

X-ray

Another source of so-called "household radiation" is X-ray examination. For example, one image of a tooth produces from 1 to 5 μSv (microsievert is a unit of measurement of the effective dose of ionizing radiation). A chest image - from 30-300 μSv.

A lethal dose of radiation is approximately 1 sievert.

By the way, according to the aforementioned Gennady Onishchenko, 27 percent of all radiation that a person receives during his life falls on medical examinations.

Cigarettes

In 2008, the world was actively talking about the fact that, in addition to other "harmfulness", tobacco also contains the toxic agent polonium-210.

According to the World Health Organization, the toxicity of this radioactive element is much higher than that of any known cyanide. According to the management of British American Tobacco, a moderate smoker (no more than 1 pack per day) receives only 1/5 of the daily dose of the isotope.

Bananas and other foods

Some natural products contain the naturally occurring radioactive isotope carbon-14 as well as potassium-40. These include potatoes, beans, sunflower seeds, nuts, and bananas.

By the way, potassium-40, according to scientists, has the longest half-life - more than a billion years. Another interesting point: in the "body" of an average-sized banana every second there are about 15 acts of potassium-40 decay. In this regard, the scientific world even invented a comic value called the "banana equivalent". So they began to call the dose of radiation comparable to eating one banana.

It is worth noting that bananas, despite their potassium-40 content, do not carry any danger to human health. By the way, every year a person receives a dose of radiation in the amount of about 400 μSv with food and water.

Air travel and space radiation

Radiation from space is partially blocked by the Earth's atmosphere. The further into the sky, the higher the radiation level. That is why, when traveling by plane, a person receives a slightly increased dose. On average, it is 5 μSv per hour of flight. At the same time, experts do not recommend flying more than 72 hours a month.

Actually, one of the main sources is the Earth. Radiation occurs due to radioactive substances contained in the soil, in particular, uranium and thorium. The average background radiation is about 480 μSv per year. Moreover, in some regions, for example, in the Indian state of Kerala, it is significantly higher due to the impressive content of thorium in the soil.

But what about mobile phones and WI-FI routers?

Contrary to popular belief, there is no "radiation hazard" from these devices. What can not be said about TVs with a cathode ray tube and the same computer monitors (yes, they are still found). But even in this case, the radiation dose is negligible. Only up to 10 μSv can be obtained from such a device per year.

The dose of radiation received by a person from natural and "household" sources is considered safe for the body. Experts believe that the radiation accumulated over a lifetime should not exceed 700,000 μSv. According to the head of the laboratory of radiation pharmacology of the Medical Biophysical Center named after A.I.Burnazyan Lev Rozhdestvensky, over a 70-year life, a person receives an average of 20 rad (200,000 μSv).

radiation irradiation ionizing

Radiation exposure from nuclear power plants is unlikely to increase the natural level of radioactivity on our planet. There is no reason for alarm, especially when comparing the benefits of nuclear power plants with their immeasurably small impact on the radioactivity of our environment. All calculations were carried out on a large scale: in relation to the entire planet and humanity for decades to come. Naturally, the question arises: do we not encounter invisible rays in everyday life Does a person create additional sources of radiation around him during this or that activity, do we not use these sources, sometimes without associating them with the action of atomic radiation?

In modern life, a person really creates a number of sources influencing him, sometimes very weak, and sometimes quite strong.

Where else in our daily life do we encounter increased ionizing radiation?

At one time, watches with a luminous dial became widespread. The luminescent mass applied to the dial included radium salts. Radium radiation excited the luminescent paint, and it glowed in the dark with a bluish light. But the radiation of radium with an energy of 0.18 MeV penetrated beyond the clock and irradiated the surrounding space. A typical hand-held luminous watch contained 0.015 to 4.5 mCi of radium. The calculation showed that the greatest dose of radiation (about 2 - 4 rad) per year is received by the muscle tissues of the arm. Muscle tissue is relatively radio-resistant, and this circumstance did not bother radiobiologists. But the luminous watch, which is on the hand for a very long time, is located at the level of the gonads and, therefore, can cause significant irradiation of these radiosensitive cells. That is why special calculations of the dose per year for these tissues have been undertaken.

Radiation from TV shouldn't worry us. TV systems are constantly being improved, and their external radiation is reduced.

Another source of weak radiation in our daily life is the products made of colored ceramics and majolica. Since ancient times, uranium compounds, which form heat-resistant paints, have been used to create the characteristic color of the glaze, which gives artistic value to ceramic dishes, vases and majolica dishes. Uranium, a long-lived natural radionuclide, always contains daughter decay products, which give rather hard radiation, which is easily detected by modern counters near the surface of ceramic products. The intensity of radiation quickly decreases with distance, and if there are ceramic jugs, majolica dishes or figurines on shelves in apartments, then, admiring them at a distance of 1-2 m, a person receives a vanishingly small dose of radiation. The situation is somewhat different with the fairly common ceramic coffee and tea sets. They hold the cup in their hands, touch it with their lips. True, such contacts are short-lived, and no significant exposure occurs.

Corresponding calculations have been made for the most common ceramic coffee cups. If during the day 90 minutes directly contact with ceramic dishes, then in a year from radiation hands can receive a dose of radiation from 2 to 10 rad. This dose is 100 times higher than the natural background radiation.