How Much Radiation Is Given Off By Your Household Items?

For some the great unwashed , the simple reference of the word “ radiation ” conjures up range of nuclear apocalypses and mutant sewerage rats , although the truth is that many of the everyday items in most mass ’s abode are actually radioactive . give that we are n’t all ad libitum pullulate special limbs or disintegrating into dust , the levels of radiation syndrome that surround us intelligibly are n’t in particular dangerous .

To avail hoi polloi understand that being radioactive does n’t mechanically make something a last beam , investigator from North Carolina State University have published a study revealing how much actinotherapy is given off by a serial of very boring objects .

“ We did this written report because understanding how much radiation comes off of mutual family detail helps place radiation reading in context – it puts things in perspective , ” said study co - writer Robert Hayes in astatement . “ If people understand what trace level of radioactivity mean value , that understanding may help oneself prevent affright . ”

measure both the Vasco da Gamma and beta actinotherapy emitted by these items , the team calculated radiation in microgray per hour ( μGy / hour ) , and have bring out their finding in the journalHealth Physics .

Several unlike types of food were included in the study , as the K they arrest give off hint amounts ofradiation . Avocados , for example , were found to give of 0.16 μGy / hr of gamma radiation sickness , while bananas emit 0.17 μGy / hr .

Other , non - comestible , item contain americium , which is also ever so slightly radioactive . As a result , household bricks were found to emit 0.15 μGy / hour , while smoke detector gave off 0.16 μGy / hr and gentle wind filter bring out 0.17 μGy / 60 minutes .

To put this into view , Hayes explains that “ regulative level for worker – which is good – is photograph to 50,000 μGy per year . The levels we ’re let the cat out of the bag about in your house are incredibly low . ”

For a secure visual representation , find out outthis XKCD chartfrom a few age back .