Background radiation refers to ionizing radiation emitted from a variety of natural and artificial radiation sources.
- Level of radiation varies from place to place. Accidents at nuclear power stations or any form of nuclear dumping result in the level of background radiation being raised.
Background radiation come from various sources, including:
- air (cosmic rays)
- building materials
- soil (soil and rock containing radioactive isotopes)
- water
- human body
- old coal fired power station
- medical sources
In experiments and calculations, the background count has to be recorded and the value deducted from the readings taken.
