Radiation is everywhere – but should we worry?

Radiation exists naturally in our environment. From the soil beneath our feet to the air we breathe, we’re constantly exposed to low levels of it. However, human activities – including nuclear energy, weapons testing, and even certain medical procedures – can increase radiation levels in air, soil, and water. While extreme exposure is dangerous, even small variations are worth monitoring to protect human health.

Both city dwellers and people in rural areas can encounter radiation, making it essential to understand where and how much exists around us. That’s where the art and science of radiation mapping comes in.

Bridging Science and the Public

A team from the Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) Environmental Management Laboratory, led by Prof. Dr. Paulo Pereira, is now taking this science one step further by sharing their research with the public. Their goal? To make radiation science understandable, relevant, and even engaging for everyone.

The first study in this new media series, published in the open-access MethodsX Journal, demonstrates a novel approach to mapping real-time gamma radiation in urban areas – a method that could be replicated worldwide.

How Scientists Measure Radiation on the Go

The team developed a method using a portable spectrometer (RadiaCode 103) that can be worn on the ankle. This small device tracks gamma radiation levels near the soil surface while researchers walk.

In Vilnius, Lithuania, the team tested the method along a 2.75 km pedestrian route, collecting 550 high-resolution data points. Using GPS-tagging, the measurements were then analyzed with ESRI ArcGIS Pro for mapping and JASP for statistical analysis.

What They Found

The results? Surprisingly reassuring. The average ambient radiation dose measured was around 7 µR/h, translating to roughly 0.62 mSv per year – well below the European limits for public exposure.

Still, the study revealed hotspots, mainly in urban and some forested areas, while urban parks had the lowest radiation levels. These insights help identify areas where radiation tends to accumulate, offering guidance for both city planning and public awareness.

Why This Method Matters

This approach is fast, cost-efficient, and easy to replicate. Its GPS-tagging makes mapping highly precise, and it’s even suitable for citizen science projects, meaning everyday people could help monitor radiation in their neighborhoods.

However, the researchers caution that broader sampling is needed – across different seasons, times of day, and land uses – and that combining field measurements with laboratory soil analysis will improve accuracy.

The Bigger Picture

By creating reliable maps of radiation exposure, this method can help pinpoint potential sources and accumulation areas. It’s not just science for scientists – it’s science that informs public safety and urban planning.

Curious to see the full research and maps? Look at this.