Day Background Radiation

Background Radiation Data - Radioactivity Monitoring Online European Network

Background Radiation Data

Radioactivity Monitoring Online European Network

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Location: Carlsbourg - Belgium

The native terrestrial radioactive background radiation is recorded using a detector connected to a computer running "Rad" software. This computer is connected to the Internet. "Rad" automatically sends (every 15 minutes) the radiation reading to the web server that hosts this site and generates the map (*) showing the readings for all radiation monitoring stations.

The Carlsbourg station uses the international system (SI) unit of radiation which is µSv (micro Sievert) and µSv / hour (µSv / h) for the dose rate. (Cs137 / Co60)

The Geiger counter works by detecting the ionization produced by a radioactive particle and recording it. The number of ionizations recorded over a period of time indicates the amount of radiation present. This is often done in one minute time intervals, resulting in the "beats per minute" or CPM. The higher the CPM, the higher the radiation levels ...

**(*) Readings are in uR / hr (microRem per Hour) for Cs137 / Co60. (Cesium-137 / Cobalt-60)**

Last 24 Hours

Understanding the "Last 24 Hours" chart

The title "Dose Rate": Indicates the last current value read
On the y-axis: the scale provides the dose values for the last 24 hours (µSv / hr)
On the abscissa: the scale indicates the space time by 15 minutes of the last 24 hours
"Average" indicates the average of the doses received during the last 24 hours
"Min" is the minimum dose over the last 24 hours
"Max" is the maximum dose over the last 24 hours

An average dose rate of 0.13 µSv / h corresponds to an average level of exposure to natural radioactivity of 1.14 mSv / year. (1 mSv = 1000 µSv).

This corresponds to the natural radioactive background radiation for the Carlsbourg station and for certain regions of Belgium.

Monitoring

The data for this graph is obtained using a geiger counter connected to a PC. The conter is manufactured by Black Cat Systems, Model GM45.

Radiation Monitor commissioned 1 Nov 2011.

Calibration

The GM45 probe was recalibrated July 2016 according to the Gamma-Scout. This is tested in an authorized institute by the state. Each unit is supplied with a certificate stating its serial number.

Contact: xray/at/jma0800.net (for "at" write "@")

update: 08/01/21