Radiation
Radiation exists in two forms: non-ionising radiation, ie UV radiation from the sun, and lasers and ionising radiation; naturally occurring radon gas fron the ground, radiography or thickness measuring guages, and medical equipment. Excess doses of radiation can cause serious health problems.
Ealing Council is a member of the local authorities radiation and radioactivity monitoring advice and collation centre (LARRMACC) and of the London wide radiation monitoring group.
The borough benefits from its involvement in an early warning
and background monitoring network across London which is
coordinated by Stanger science and environment on behalf of LWRMG.
In the event of an emergency, should the normal background
radiation be doubled, the emergency response would be triggered and
all participating boroughs alerted.
Radioactive substances register
A number of premises in the borough store or use small
amounts of radioactive materials. Examples include americium 241
used in smoke detectors and Polonium 210 used in dust detection and
anti-static devices.
All these premises are registered with the environment agency (EA) under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993. The EA is obliged to send a copy of the certificate for each premises to the relevant local authority. Further details are available from pollution control on (020) 8825 6633.
Mobile phone masts
The main concern about radiation in the last few
years is radiation from mobile phone masts.
Mobile phone companies have a licence from the government to provide network installations throughout the country. They have to show some consideration in the location and the design of the installation.
Mobile phones work by using radio waves transmitted from base stations - both emit radiofrequency radiation when in use. This radiation is an electromagnetic transmission of energy, similar to that from televisions or radios.
If there is a large distance between a mobile phone and its connecting base a lot of energy is needed for a phone to operate. The more energy that is used by the phone, the higher the level of radiation is emitted to the soft tissues of the head, which is more pronounced in children due their softer head tissue. Mast aerials are unlikely to cause a heating effect beyond a few metres around its area.
Research has been carried out worldwide and more studies are continuing to assess if this radiation is a health risk - no evidence has been found at present. However, as this technology is new and with unknown long term effects, the government requires that the emission of radiation does not exceed the levels set by the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).
Mobile phone companies must submit a certificate with each application for a mask to prove that the levels are not exceeded.
Schools who are concerned about the radiation levels within the school grounds can request measurements to be carried out by the Radiocommunications Agency (RA). A database of radiation levels at schools is being compiled.
Radiation levels measured by the RA and the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB), at schools and other areas, have found a very small percentage of the maximum levels prescribed by ICNIRP.
More information on radiation is available on the Health and Safety Executive website.