【Hard "Nuclear" Science Popularization】 Let's learn about nuclear and radiation science knowledge together

Natural and artificial radiation

Natural radiation mainly comes from radionuclides in the natural environment of cosmic radiation. Artificial radiation refers to the additional exposure to the public in addition to natural radiation brought by humans in the process of developing and utilizing nuclear energy and nuclear technology.

Natural radioactivity exists in the natural environment, and people live in an environment with natural radioactivity!

Many of our activities involve exposure to radioactivity. For example, the radiation dose from air, food, and water we ingest is about 1.5 millisieverts per year; traveling 2,000 kilometers by plane is about 0.01 millisieverts; smoking 20 cigarettes a day is about 0.5 to 1.0 millisieverts per year; an X-ray examination is about 0.1 millisieverts, etc.

Radiation action mode

According to the way radiation affects humans, irradiation can be divided into external irradiation and internal irradiation.

External exposure refers to the radiation source being located outside the human body, and the radiation produced irradiates the human body. In the case of external exposure, particles with strong penetrating power, such as high-energy electrons, X-rays, gamma rays, and neutrons, pose greater hazards.

Internal irradiation is the radiation produced by radionuclides entering the human body and directly irradiating tissues. In the case of internal irradiation, short-range particles such as alpha particles, fission fragments and electrons are more harmful.

Measurement method

Measurement of external radiation dose:

Personal dosimeters can be worn, including thermoluminescent sheets, films and direct-reading personal dosimeters; the measurement of radioactive contamination on the body surface and clothing should be carried out using a body surface contamination monitor.

Measurement of radioactive contamination in the body:

The internal radiation dose can be determined by analyzing and calculating the radioactive content in urine and blood, and the distribution of radionuclides in the body can also be directly measured using a whole-body counter.

Don’t worry, the amount of radiation in the natural environment is far lower than the minimum dose that can harm the human body. As long as you maintain personal hygiene and stay away from radiation sources , you can ensure your own radiation safety to the greatest extent!

The Guangzhou Nuclear Technology Application Science Popularization Base is located at No. 2, Dayong East Road, Nansha Street, Nansha District, Guangzhou. It is a venue-type science popularization base built by Guangzhou Furui High Energy Technology Co., Ltd., with a total construction area of ​​about 2570m2. The base uses pictures, videos, models and real objects to visit and learn, nuclear technology application scenarios and laboratory visits, as well as popular science lectures and interactive exchanges. Focusing on the basics of nuclear physics, nuclear technology applications and development, irradiation processing, radiation protection and other aspects, the base systematically popularizes scientific knowledge on "radiation", enhances the public's understanding and knowledge of nuclear technology, and improves the public's nuclear and radiation safety awareness; and through learning about the development history and unique advantages of nuclear technology, it breaks the prejudice of "talking about nuclear fear" and promotes the more scientific and extensive use of nuclear technology in benefiting mankind's better life.