Radiation occurs from two sources. Natural
radiation exists due to materials present in the earth and
particles arriving from outer space. Artificial radiation is caused
by man made processes. There is no difference in the effects of the
radiation regarding it's source.
An average person in the UK will receive
approximately 10% of their annual dose of radiation from the suns
cosmic rays, whilst another 50% is due to Radon (Rn) a gas
generated from naturally occurring uranium present in the earth.
Artificial radiation sources included medical treatments
(approximately 15%) and fall out from nuclear tests and accidents
(approximately 1%).
A person will be continually exposed to a low
level of radiation throughout their life, this is perfectly normal
and does not cause any health effects. Exposure to large amounts of
radiation however can cause sterility, cataracts or even death.
Lower amounts of exposure over a long period of time can cause
cancer or hereditary defects in descendants. Radon exposure is
thought to cause about 2,500 deaths per year in the UK.
Radioactive Substances Register
A number of premises use small amounts of
radioactive materials. Examples include americium 241 used in smoke
detectors and Polonium 210 used in dust detection and anti-static
devices.
All these premises are registered with the
Environment
Agency under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993. The
Environment Agency is obliged to send a copy of the certificate for
each premises to the relevant local authority.
Mobile Phone Masts
The main concern about radiation in the last few
years is radiation from mobile phone masts.
Mobile phone companies have a licence from the
government to provide network installations throughout the country.
They have to show some consideration in the location and the design
of the installation.
Mobile phones work by using radio waves
transmitted from base stations - both emit radio frequency
radiation when in use. This radiation is an electromagnetic
transmission of energy, similar to that from televisions or
radios.
If there is a large distance between a mobile
phone and its connecting base a lot of energy is needed for a phone
to operate. The more energy that is used by the phone, the higher
the level of radiation is emitted to the soft tissues of the head,
which is more pronounced in children due their softer head tissue.
Mast aerials are unlikely to cause a heating effect beyond a few
metres around its area.
Research has been carried out worldwide and more
studies are continuing to assess if this radiation is a health risk
- no evidence has been found at present. However, as this
technology is new and with unknown long term effects, the
government requires that the emission of radiation does not exceed
the levels set by the
International Commission on
Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).
Mobile phone companies must submit a certificate
with each application for a mask to prove that the levels are not
exceeded.
Schools who are concerned about the radiation
levels within the school grounds can request measurements to be
carried out by the Office of
Communications (Ofcom). A database of radiation levels at
schools is being compiled.
Radiation levels measured by the Ofcom and the
National Radiological Protection
Board (NRPD) at schools and other areas, have found a very
small percentage of the maximum levels prescribed by ICNIRP.
For Further Information:
- Contact: Environmental
Protection Team, Mansion House, Penrith CA11 7YG
- Telephone: (01768) 212303 /
212334
- Email:
env.health@eden.gov.uk
- Fax: (01768) 890732
