Natural Radioactivity

Devon and Cornwall are particularly rich in uranium. Many radioactive minerals can be collected in these areas.

This uranium gives rise to it's decay product - radon. In houses the levels are measured in Bq m^-3. The average is about 20 Bq m^-3 for houses nationally, and people begin to consider taking action to lower the level in houses above 200 Bq m^-3.

Below ground, levels as low as 1,000 Bq m^-3 are rare, and levels of millions of Bq m^-3 are not uncommon. Record levels are far higher still.

Further details, including measured levels in many Devon and Cornwall Mines will be added to this site soon.

Last updated 03 Feb 2001 by aardvark.nest.