{"id":3553,"date":"2023-03-01T16:08:54","date_gmt":"2023-03-01T16:08:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/csiag.eu\/?p=3553"},"modified":"2025-03-04T10:57:02","modified_gmt":"2025-03-04T10:57:02","slug":"ionizing-radiation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/csiag.eu\/en\/blog\/2023\/03\/01\/ionisierende-strahlung\/","title":{"rendered":"Ionizing radiation"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/csiag.eu\/en\/blog\/2023\/03\/01\/ionisierende-strahlung\/#Einheiten\" >units<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/csiag.eu\/en\/blog\/2023\/03\/01\/ionisierende-strahlung\/#Strahlenarten\" >Types of radiation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/csiag.eu\/en\/blog\/2023\/03\/01\/ionisierende-strahlung\/#Radon_%E2%80%93_als_Heilmittel\" >Radon - as a remedy<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/csiag.eu\/en\/blog\/2023\/03\/01\/ionisierende-strahlung\/#Messgerate\" >Measuring device<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/csiag.eu\/en\/blog\/2023\/03\/01\/ionisierende-strahlung\/#Definition_Grenz-_Richt_und_Referenzwert\" >Definition of limit, guideline and reference value<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/csiag.eu\/en\/blog\/2023\/03\/01\/ionisierende-strahlung\/#Interpretation_der_Messwerte\" >Interpretation of the measured values<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading time<\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 4<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span>\n<p>Ionizing radiation is imperceptible to humans; it is odorless, tasteless and invisible. It arises from the decay of atoms of radioactive substances, which occur everywhere in nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Einheiten\"><\/span>units<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>However, this atomic decay can be measured. <em>Antoine Henri Becquerel<\/em> received in 1903, together with <em>Mary<\/em> and <em>Pierre Curie<\/em>, the Nobel Prize for the discovery of radioactivity. After the decay rate, ie the number of decayed atoms per second, was initially given in Curie (Ci), the Bequerel (Bq) unit has been used since 1998.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After the Swedish physician and physicist <em>Rolf Sievert<\/em>, in 1979, 13 years after his death, the unit sievert (Sv) was established as the international unit for the equivalent dose. It describes the exposure (dose) to a biological organism in joules per kilogram multiplied by that <a href=\"https:\/\/de.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Strahlungswichtungsfaktor\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Beam weighting factor<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A distinction is made between equivalence (H), effective (D<sub>eff<\/sub>) and the organ dose (H<sub>T<\/sub>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The effective dose takes into account the different sensitivity of the organs. The limit value for people who are not occupationally exposed to radiation<sup>(1)<\/sup> is 1 mSv\/a, for those occupationally exposed to radiation<sup>(2)<\/sup> at 20 mSv\/a.<br>The organ dose describes the dose absorbed by the respective organ, in Germany for example the eye lens 15 mSv\/a<sup>(1)<\/sup>, or 20 mSv\/a<sup>(2)<\/sup>, extremities 50 mSv\/a<sup>(1)<\/sup>, or 500 mSv\/a<sup>(2)<\/sup> according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gesetze-im-internet.de\/strlschv_2018\/StrlSchV.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">StrlSchV \u00a771<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Strahlenarten\"><\/span>Types of radiation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Depending on the type of radiation to be measured, different measuring methods and devices are available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A Geiger counter named after <em>Johannes Wilhelm Geiger<\/em>, or Geiger-M\u00fcller counter tube, supplemented by the name of his doctoral student <em>Walther M\u00fcller<\/em>, known since 1929, is used to measure the radioactive decay of alpha, beta and gamma radiation. The order also provides information about the increasing penetrating ability of the radiation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Alpha radiation<\/strong> (\u03b1) is found in heavy nuclei such as uranium-238.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Beta radiation<\/strong> (\u03b2) is formed when the nucleus of an atom is converted into one of another element. A distinction is made here between \u03b2<sup>+<\/sup>, the element with the next lowest value and \u03b2<sup>-<\/sup>, the element of the next higher atomic number. Both are ionizing radiation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Gamma radiation<\/strong> (\u03b3) is an electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength of only 0.005 nm (corresponding to 59,958,491.6 THz(!)) and is created after \u03b1 or \u03b2 decay from the energy released in the process, also referred to as a \u03b3 transition. This is not a decay because the number of neutrons and protons contained in the nucleus remains unchanged. When it passes through a body (human, animal, fruit, etc.), the electrons released and the resulting X-rays break chemical bonds, causing cell and DNA damage, among other things.<br>The <em>Radiation weighting factor<\/em> is 1 and serves as a reference for other types of radiation with regard to their harmfulness to the organism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>radon<\/strong> (Rn) is a radioactive element, a noble gas that occurs naturally all over the world and is the most stable isotope <sup>222<\/sup>Rn with a half-life of 3.8 days, which is produced by the decay of uranium and radium. The reason for the health-stressing moment is primarily the \u03b1-particle-emitting decay product polonium (Po) with a half-life of 138 days, especially the isoptopes <sup>210<\/sup>Po <sup>212<\/sup>butt, <sup>214<\/sup>butt, <sup>216<\/sup>butt, <sup>218<\/sup>Po. The biological half-life in the body is 50 days.<br>Alpha radiation is hardly harmful externally, as the penetration depth is already absorbed in the top layer of skin. However, as radon is soluble in drinking water, this is an internal contamination that has a direct effect on cells and can be stored in organs.<br>The radiation weighting factor is 20 and thus represents a twenty-fold higher level of harmfulness than the effect of \u03b3-radiation over the same unit of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Radon_%E2%80%93_als_Heilmittel\"><\/span>Radon - as a remedy<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>After radon has been described above as harmful to health, here is a contrary aspect of its use as a remedy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many spas around the world offer radon cures based on inhaling radon-containing air and drinking radon-containing water. Predominantly with <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/23864139\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">rheumatic diseases<\/a> show long-lasting improvements in the symptoms, but also in the case of <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/29116046\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Inflammation of the upper and lower respiratory tract<\/a>as shown in the linked study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We also recommend the book by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.verlagdrkovac.de\/978-3-8300-8183-8.htm?bb=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">RADIZ Radon Documentation and Information Center Schlema e. V. (Ed.)<\/a>published by Dr. Kova\u010d, which also describes the medical background of radon's effect on the human body.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Messgerate\"><\/span>Measuring device<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Geiger-M\u00fcller counters mentioned above generally detect \u03b2 and \u03b3 radiation in the lower price segment. Measuring devices that detect \u03b1-radiation cost more than around 600 euros.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Radon measuring devices including calibration can be purchased for around under 200 euros.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Devices that are sufficient for home users are, for example, the \u03b2 \/ \u03b3 counter <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.de\/dp\/B071JWB7TJ?psc=1&amp;ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">GMC500+<\/a> from GQ, as well as the radon detector <a href=\"https:\/\/www.radonshop.com\/ftlab-radoneye-rd200-radon-gas-monitor-r222-messgeraet\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">RadonEye<\/a> with Bluetooth connection from the South Korean manufacturer FTLab, which is also available in a version - unfortunately twice as expensive - with a WLAN connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both devices have integrated data storage and the numerical and graphical representation of the measurement series.<br>The replaceable Li-ion battery of the mobile and stationary Geiger counter can be charged using a USB port. The radon detector requires 12V DC, e.g. connected to a power bank via a StepUp DCDC converter or via a plug-in power supply, or via a car 12V connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Definition_Grenz-_Richt_und_Referenzwert\"><\/span>Definition of limit, guideline and reference value<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The meaning of these three values is often confused, so here is the correct definition:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Limit value \u2013 must not be exceeded<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Guideline value \u2013 should be adhered to in order to ensure that limit values are not exceeded<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reference value \u2013 is the just accepted concentration<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Interpretation_der_Messwerte\"><\/span>Interpretation of the measured values<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The natural radioactive radiation is between 0.03 and 0.08 \u03bcSv\/h. The radiation exposure calculated over a year is determined from (0.03 x 24 x 365) \/ 100 = 0.2628 mS\/a .. (0.08 x 24 x 365) \/ 100 = 0.7008 mS\/a.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Limit values are very subject to interpretation. If we think about the former limit values for X-rays, much lower values apply today because we can now determine which damage is caused by which dose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, around 100 mS\/a is considered to be dangerous to health. A single dose of 1 S causes radiation sickness, or 5 S in 50% cases causes death within a month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The radon pollution varies greatly depending on the soil permeability and uranium or radium occurrence, which results in different radon concentrations recommended as \u201climit values\u201d.<br>On average we can say that 100 Bq\/m<sup>3<\/sup> as a limit for indoor concentrations, but also 200 Bq\/m<sup>3<\/sup> are still considered acceptable in some countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Radon is easily soluble in water and can therefore also be absorbed with drinking water or by inhaling the water vapors when cooking or showering. Waterworks reduce radon concentrations by mixing water with a lower concentration from other sources or by aerating it with oxygen, which causes radon to partially escape from the water.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading time<\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 4<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span>Ionizing radiation is imperceptible to humans, it is odourless, tasteless and invisible. It is produced when atoms of radioactive substances decay, as they occur everywhere in nature. Units However, this atomic decay can be measured. Antoine Henri Becquerel, together with Marie and Pierre Curie, was awarded the Nobel Prize for the discovery of radioactivity in 1903. After...&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/csiag.eu\/en\/blog\/2023\/03\/01\/ionisierende-strahlung\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Read More \"<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Ionizing radiation<\/span><\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"","neve_meta_content_width":0,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1217],"tags":[1240,1230,1234,1229,1241,1253,1225,684,1239,1235,1242,1246,1245,1248,1249,1222,1252,1218,1226,1237,1236,1227,1221,1219,1244,1250,1251,1243,1247,103,1223,1231,1224,1232,1238,1220,1228],"class_list":["post-3553","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ionisierende-strahlung","tag-alpha-strahlung","tag-antoine-henri","tag-aequivalenz-dosis","tag-becquerel","tag-beta-strahlung","tag-bodendurchlaessigkeit","tag-curie","tag-dosis","tag-durchdringungsfaehigkeit","tag-effektiv-dosis","tag-gamma-srahlung","tag-geiger-mueller-zaehler","tag-geiger-zaehler","tag-gmc500","tag-gmc500-2","tag-grenzwert","tag-innenraum-konzentration","tag-ionisierende-strahlung","tag-marie","tag-organ","tag-organ-dosis","tag-pierre","tag-polonium","tag-radium","tag-radon","tag-radon-belastung","tag-radon-konzentration","tag-radon-strahlung","tag-radoneye","tag-referenzwert","tag-richtwert","tag-rolf-sivert","tag-sievert","tag-strahlenwichtungsfaktor","tag-strahlungsart","tag-uran","tag-walther-mueller"],"modified_by":"Achim Goerner","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/csiag.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3553","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/csiag.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/csiag.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/csiag.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/csiag.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3553"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/csiag.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3553\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/csiag.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3553"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/csiag.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3553"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/csiag.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3553"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}