What is the background radiation in Moscow?

Radiation. The tragedy at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant has instilled fear in many over this word. However, we are sure that until terrible accidents occurred, large releases of radioactive waste did not occur , all is well. But this is a sad fallacy, because even residents of cities far from nuclear power plants are not safe from getting a dose of radiation harmful to the body. Do you know what radiation background is in Moscow? Does it exceed the norm? What areas are considered unfavorable in this regard? In this article, we will answer these and other burning questions.

What you need to know about radiation?

Radiation (English radiation - "radiation") - ionizing radiation. Radioactivity is the instability of atomic nuclei, manifested in their spontaneous decay and emission of ionizing radiation. We list the radioactive particles:

1. Alpha - heavy helium nuclei with a positive charge.
2. Beta is the flow of electrons.
3. Gamma - light rays with huge penetrating power.
4. X-ray - similar to previous radiation, but has less activity.
5. Neutrons are neutral particles emanating from atomic reactors.

If we translate everything that has been said to humans, then for us radiation is particles and rays that can penetrate the body, adversely affecting it at the cellular level, which inevitably leads to serious health problems and even death. This effect is called radiation - the transfer of radioactive energy to the cells of a living creature.

Consequences for humans

If the radiation background in Moscow is critically increased, this will threaten the residents of the capital as follows:

• blood cancer;
• metabolic disorder;
• genetic mutations;
• malignant tumors;
• infertility
• infectious complications and so on.

The worst thing is that radiation affects a person the more, the younger his body.

How does radiation affect us? This usually happens in the following ways:

1. Through food and water.
2. Through contaminated air.
3. Through frequent medical procedures related to radiation.
4. Being close to natural sources of radiation.
5. In view of living close to scientific, industrial radiation enterprises that do not care about protecting the environment from their activities.

Therefore, it is important to know the level of background radiation in Moscow, so as not to settle in an area where constant exposure is detrimental to the body.

Man-made and natural radioactivity

Let's make a little digression. If the natural background radiation in Moscow or another city in a certain zone is increased, do not immediately blame the authorities and enterprises for concealing radioactive dumps or accidents. After all, radiation can be not only technogenic, but also natural.

Let's look at the difference:

• Natural radiation:
  • Solar, space - from it we are reliably protected by the atmosphere.
  • Earth's crust - comes from building materials, sand, stone. In Moscow, a number of decorative granite slabs in the streets have a high radioactive background.
  • Radon gas - according to some sources, the earth's crust gives off it, which is why it "exists" in the basement. And from there, through the ventilation system, it is brought into residential apartments. “Escape” from it is simple - regularly ventilate your home.
• Man-made radiation:
  • Nuclear reactors.
  • Underground mining sites.
  • Radioactive dumps.

Radiation protection

If you have noticed with your own dosimeter that the background radiation in Moscow or the Moscow region is increased, then the first thing to do is contact:

• to the Radon Radioactive Safety Service;
• to the operational duty officer of the Main Directorate for Civil Defense and Emergencies of Moscow;
• to the Center for State Sanitary Inspection of Moscow, Department of Radiology.

Then you should take up your safety:

• protect yourself with a temporary barrier from radiation;
• use special protective equipment;
• immediately leave the zone with increased radiation background in Moscow, try to spend less time there.

Recall simple tools that will protect you from radiation:

• alpha is a plain paper sheet;
• beta glass;
• gamma - lead;
• neutrons are water.

Measurements of the level of radiation background in Moscow and the Moscow region

We will not sow panic among readers: the level of radiation extremely dangerous for human health and life is 30 μR / h. In Moscow, today, such indicators are not fixed!

Here are the official data:

• the average radiation background in the open area is 8-12 μR / h;
• sleeping areas - 8 μR / h;
• industrial zones - 8 μR / h;
• city ​​center - 10.8 μR / h;
• the recorded maximum is 20.2 μR / h.

Let's look at the table on the radiation environment in Muscovites' favorite vacation spots.

Not everything is so bad, but it could be better.

Sensors for measuring radioactivity in Moscow

As for the capital, a network of sensors has been installed throughout the metropolis, which are designed to monitor the radiation background. Here are some of their locations:

• nab. Kotelnicheskaya;
• st. Timiryazevskaya;
• pl. Revolts;
• nab. Horticultural;
• st. Aircraft engine;
• w. Kashirskoye;
• w. Enthusiasts
• Leninsky Prospekt;
• WWII Museum;
• Okhotny Ryad;
• w. Warsaw
• w. Lenin.

If you believe the indicators of these devices, then the average radiation background in Moscow is 0.11-0.15 μSv / h.

The troubled areas of Moscow

According to experts, to get a dose of radiation in the capital, though not deadly, but not useful, is quite realistic. They distinguish the following adverse zones:

• Troparevsky Forest Park;
• Rn Lublino;
• Krylatskoe;
• Strogino;
• "Green Hill" (Rokossovsky Blvd) - radioactive burial;
• The area of ​​the hotel "Ukraine";
• "Shcherbinka" - the radioactive waste burial site of the Podolsk plant;
• The city of Sergiev Posad is a rather extensive radioactive dump;
• Sunny Lake;
• Zhestovsky quarry;
• 24 km of the Leningradskoye Shosse - here is the plant of the Research Institute of the Center for Testing the Safety of Radiation of Space Objects.

The main danger of these zones is associated with the proximity of waste disposal sites.

Map of radioactive contamination of Moscow and the region

Scientists scrupulously investigate data on the background radiation in the capital and surrounding areas. Based on this information, we can distinguish:

1. Particularly polluted zones: Lyubertsy (considered crisis), Moscow, Khimki, Mytishchi, Noginsky, Voskresensky, Kashirsky, Shatursky, Krasnogorsk district.
2. Middle degree: Schelkovo, Pushkino, Kolomna, Serpukhov, Podolsk, Orekhovo-Zuyevo, Ramensky, Leninsky, Pavlovo-Posadsky, Lukhovitsky, Kolomensky, Stupinsky district.
3. Relatively clean zones: Yegoryevsky, Ozersky, Zaraysky, Serebryano-Prudsky, Naro-Fominsky, Chekhovsky, Odintsovsky, Mozhaysky, Istra, Volokamsky, Dmitrovsky, Ruzsky, Shakhovsky district.

Now let's see what radionuclides infected at least every district of Moscow:

1. Cesium: East, South-East, North-West. Some sites in the North-East, North, West, South-West.
2. Radon: East, Northeast, North, South, West. Some areas in the Northwest, Southwest.
3. Uranus: Northeast, West, Southwest, South. Some areas in the Northwest, East and Southeast.
4. Thorium: Northwest, Southwest. Some sites in the Northeast, West.

Now you are aware of the harm of radiation to humans, as well as the background radiation in Moscow. Let’s reassure you once again: it does not currently exceed the norm that is dangerous to humans. But you should not turn a blind eye to the contaminated areas in this regard. Our advice is to try to be there as little as possible.