PROJECT:

“RESEARCH INTO THE DYNAMICS OF IONISING RADIATION RESULTANT FROM THE HUMAN ACTIVITIES”

By DAINIUS JASAITIS,

a physics teacher at the Jesuits High School in Vilnius

The project is for pupils from 10^th and 11^th classes carried out during studies of the structure of atom and atomic nucleus physics. The widespread but unfounded scaring with the radioactive pollution and insufficient knowledge of the sources and spreading of radioactive pollution prompted it.

The objective of the work: measuring of the power of equivalent doses of ionising radiation of natural radionuclides in various environments.

The man is affected by the background ionising radiation every day starting from its origin as a species. If there is a lot of benefit from the use in practice of ionising radiation, it also may be very dangerous to the health of people. Entering the body through the respiratory organs and nutrition chain, radionuclides from environment become one of the sources of radiation. The ionising radiation may damage or destroy cells of the body. Consequently, the immune system of the human organism is affected: resistance to infectious, oncological, allergic and other diseases becomes weaker.

The biological effect of the ionising radiation on the human organism depends on a dose received. Even very small doses of radionuclides are dangerous to the human organism, therefore it should be done all that is possible to limit the ionising radiation originated from the activities if people. For measuring of dynamics of the ionising radiation in different location, the following measurement points were selected: a lake, pond, building, one remaining wall of a building, stairs on the Hill of Tauras and tunnel.

The power of equivalent dose was measured by a portable radiometer SRP-08-01.

The ionising radiation of particular construction objects was measured. The results show that the largest values are in the building, which decrease proportionally to the distance from the building. Radiation values are determined by the properties of materials used for the construction. The same pattern shows the measurements done in the tunnel, and in front and behind it. The highest values were found in the tunnel and those in front and behind it were lower. Radiation values are determined by the properties of materials used for the tunnel. Measurements in different floors were also carried out. It was found that the highest values of dose are in the basement, and the lower ones in the upper floors. This difference is determined by the accumulation of radon.

The largest power of equivalent dose of ionising radiation was observed on the stairs to the Hill of Tauras. This phenomenon is due to the fact that the stairs are made of stone slack. The smallest values were found on the landings placed with concrete tiles.

Pupils measured the power of equivalent dose of ionising radiation on the surface of water. The results show that the values on the water surface are significantly lower the equivalent dose power on the surface of soil.

It is evident from the results of measurements that radionuclides in construction materials are the sources of a higher ionising radiation than that in natural environment. Different construction materials feature different radiation values. The research show that in order to ensure a health-friendly and safe environment it is important to carefully select materials for use in constructing buildings and roads so that the ionising radiation resultant from human activities would be as low as possible.