Science Questions

Why are background radiation levels so much higher in Germany than the UK?

Kat: -   We spent some time looking at geological maps of Germany in the UK and our conclusion is that a lot of Germany is made of granite and granite releases a radioactive gas called radon.  But the UK isn’t completely bereft of radioactive rocks.  A lot of Cornwall, a lot of Wales, quite a lot of the Pennines and some of the Peak district and of course, Edinburgh is made of granite and does release radon.  And there was some research I think a couple of years ago that showed that people Cornwall are actually getting quite a significant dose of radioactivity that does increase the risk of lung cancer in these areas.  And in fact, if you smoke and live in places like Cornwall that are very granity, that’s actually a much more significant impact on your cancer risk than if you just live there and didn’t smoke.  So, if you live in Cornwall or anywhere that looks a bit granity, then don’t smoke.  But as to whether the background radiation is higher in Germany versus the UK, it really depends where you live.  If you live in a very granity bit of Germany, yes it will be higher, but if you live in a very granity bit of the UK compared to a non-granity bit of Germany then obviously, it will be higher in the UK. 

October 2009