Radiation in the environment

Radiation is a natural part of the Earth's environment. Radiation can be natural or man-made.

The Icelandic Radiation Safety Authority (IRSA) monitors radiation in the environment. The emphasis is on man-made radiation because it is radiation that we can affect. When the radiation intensity is evaluated, it is good to compare it with natural background radiation.

Measurements in Iceland

The Icelandic Radiation Safety Authority has a sensitive screening system and a wide range of measurement equipment as well as a laboratory to analyse radioactive material in environmental samples with great accuracy.

Examples of materials being monitored for radiation include:

• atmosphere

• food

• sea and rain water

Measurements and monitoring of radiation in the environment is part of the preparedness of the Icelandic Radiation Safety Authority. Radiation measurements are primarily to monitor the levels of radioactive substances to obtain information about the levels of background radiation in Iceland.

So far, measurements have shown that the amount of radioactive material in the environment and background radiation in Iceland is low. Therefore, there is no need to worry about the health effects of radioactive materials in the environment in Iceland.

The Icelandic Radiation Safety Authority publishes an overview of environmental monitoring results (pdf).

Natural radiation in the environment

The main source of natural radiation is:

• radiation that reaches Earth from the sky, called cosmic radiation

• radiation from radioactive substances in soil and rock

• radioactive gases, such as radon

• radioactive substances in the body, such as the carbon isotope C-14

Background radiation is variable from one place to another. For example, in Iceland, radiation from rock and soil is low compared to many other countries. This is because the Icelandic rock is mostly basaltic and scarce in radioactive materials.

Man-made radiation in the environment

Man-made radiation is usually caused by activities where radiation is used or activities that produce radioactive substances. These can be, for example:

• drilling for oil and gas

• the operation of nuclear power plants

• in medicine

Radioactive waste is stored in a safe place and does not go into the environment until its concentration of radioactive materials is very low.

Man-made radiation is also found in the environment as a result of past nuclear experiments and nuclear accidents. The resulting radiation level is decreasing because the intensity of radiation decreases with time.

Summary

Radiation in the environment is both natural and man-made. The Icelandic Radiation Safety Authority monitors and measures radiation in the environment.

Background radiation in Iceland is low. Therefore, there is no need to worry about the health effects of radioactive materials in the environment.