Enviromental Agency, Seattle Division
37 Town Range, Seattle. Tel: 1-200-456-8765. e-mail:
info@environmental-agency.org
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The National Radiation Monitoring Service.
High Altitude Radiation Monitoring Service
Radiation Monitoring and Control
  • Investigation of complaints
  • Service of Abatement Notices as necessary
  • Undertaking of radiation level surveys
  • Routine sampling of potable waters
  • Routine sampling of coastal waters
  • Routine sampling of swimming pools
  • Sampling of filtration samples
  • Routine sampling of air for sulphur dioxide and suspended particulates
Alert of the Special Survey of Radiological Department. 
By: Eugen Norsky
The genetically significant dose of radiation was yesterday defined by
H.A.R.M.S. in the air of Seattle. According to the daily number of
radiological examinations performed, the gonad dose which is 2.5 times
higher than the natural level and higher than the maximum permissible
level is present in the small area of Main St., bldgs Nos from 24 to 48. The risk comes from exposure to Radon, a gaseous breakdown
product of radium, that can build up in enclosed spaces such as
basements.
 
YOU SHOULD TEST YOUR BASEMENT AND YOUR HOUSE FOR RADON.
YOU SHOULD CHECK ANY HOUSE YOU CONSIDER BUYING OR MOVING IN.

A potent alpha emitter, radon is believed to cause many lung cancer
deaths. Exposure to radon is known to damage the brains of young
children.
................................................................................................
 
Despite the alert, many local residents walk the streets unprotected
Today.

  The Risk: Health Effects
 
Several factors are involved in determining the potential health effects of
exposure to radiation. These include:
  •  The size of the dose (amount of energy deposited in the body)
  •  The ability of the radiation to harm human tissue
  •  Which organs are affected

  Amount of the Dose
 
The most important factor is the amount of the dose — the amount of
energy actually deposited in your body. The more energy absorbed by
cells, the greater the biological damage. Health physicists refer to the
amount of energy absorbed by the body as the radiation dose. The
absorbed dose, the amount of energy absorbed per gram of body tissue,
is usually measured in units called rads.
  • The amount of the dose depends on such factors as:
  • The number and energy level of the radiation particles emitted by the
    source (the source's activity, measured in units called curies)
  • The distance from the source (Distance is especially important with
    alpha radiation; more than a few centimeters from the source, the
    amount of the dose approaches zero.)
  • The amount of exposure time
  • The degree to which radiation dissipates in the air or in other
    substances between the source and the recipient
  • The penetrating power of the radiation
 
  Ability to Harm Tissue.
 
Health physicists also must take into account the ability of the type of
radiation involved to harm human tissue. To do this, they multiply the
absorbed dose by a biological effectiveness factor, the Q factor, to come
up with a measurement of harm called the dose-equivalent. (Table) the Q factor is a "consensus factor" agreed upon by experts and used for
regulatory purposes.
    Biological Effectiveness
    Factor by Radiation Type
Type of Radiation
Q Factor
Alpha particles
 20
Beta particles
1
Gamma radiation
1
Protons, fast neutrons
10
Slow (thermal) neutrons
2
 
Understand the risks — how and to what extent the different kinds and sources of
radiation can affect our health and environment.
 
Learn what each of us as individuals, can do to minimize those risks.