With World Soil Day approaching, which is observed on December 5, it is worth noting that the soil is not only the foundation of our living environment – it also emits natural radiation. We encounter it every day: walking down the street, spending time in a park, or even at home. Radiation comes from natural sources, such as the sun or the soil, as well as from human activities, including medical procedures and nuclear energy. Knowing where and how much radiation is around us helps us better protect our health and plan urban spaces.
Radiation is everywhere – but should we be worried?
Radiation naturally exists in our environment – from the soil beneath our feet to the air we breathe. In most cases, the levels are low and do not pose a danger, but human activities can increase radiation levels in the air, soil, or water. Therefore, it is important to know where and how much radiation is present in our surroundings, which helps in creating radiation maps and monitoring environmental changes.
Bridging Science and the Public
A team from the Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) Environmental Management Research 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.