DATA FROM THE BACKGROUND RADIATION SURVEY PROJECT


Updated on April 9, 2009

DATA ID #0001

(Observer's Name) James A. Petrait

(Observer's E-Mail Address) jpetrait@earthling.net

(Location) St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

(Location's latitude) 17 deg. 43 min. N

(Location's longitude) 64 deg.53 min.W

(Altitude of Observation) 100 ft.

(Average Background Radiation Count) 11.6167 microroentgens/hour, (factor = 1.05)

(Date of Observation) 3/6/99

(Starting and Ending Times of Observation (GMT)) 1413 - 1513 GMT

(Number of Minutes Observed) 60 minutes

(Type of Geiger Counter Used) Aware RM60

(DESCRIPTION OF OBSERVATIONS)

RM60 was placed in a FilmShield lead laminated pouch in an indoor room. The one hour count is consistent with other counts although there is some variability depending on the time of day. Used cal factor = 1.05 to keep uniformity with other RM60 reporters. Actual CPM was 12.1975.

 




DATA ID #0002

(Observer's Name) Mark D. Robertson

(Observer's E-Mail Address) robertson_family@worldnet.att.net

(Observer's Website) Find the current background radiation in Longmont, Colorado by going to the Background Radiation in Longmont, CO

(Location) Longmont, Colorado

(Location's latitude) 40 deg.11 min.N

(Location's longitude) 105 deg. 07min.W

(Altitude of Observation) 5020 ft.

(Average Background Radiation Count) 23.7419 microroentgens/hour, (factor = 1.05)

(Date of Observation) 03/14/99 GMT for seven days ending 03/21/99

(Starting and Ending Times of Observation (GMT)) 00:00:00 GMT for seven days ending at 00:00:00 GMT

(Number of Minutes Observed) 10,080 minutes

(Type of Geiger Counter Used) Aware RM60

(DESCRIPTION OF OBSERVATIONS)

RM60 is located outdoors about 1M above ground. One minute readings are cataloged 24 hours a day every day. Seven day average was reported above. Used cal factor = 1.05 to keep uniformity with other RM60 reporters. Actual CPM was 24.929.

 




DATA ID #0003

(Observer's Name) Steve Stuart

(Observer's E-Mail Address) stst@aol.com

(Location) Berkley, Michigan

(Location's latitude) 42 deg 29.77 min N

(Location's longitude) 83 deg.10.68 min. W

(Altitude of Observation) 685 ft.

(Average Background Radiation Count) 0.129 microsievert/hr (12.9 microroentgens/hr)

(Date of Observation) Feb 27, 1999

(Starting and Ending Times of Observation (GMT)) 21:00 to 22:00

(Number of Minutes Observed) 45 minutes

(Type of Geiger Counter Used) Russian-made digital Geiger counter, PKCB 104

(DESCRIPTION OF OBSERVATIONS) My son, Gavin and I did a science project, measuring X-rays from a color TV. As a start, we measured background radiation in our living room by taking ten readings of the Geiger counter, each lasting 270 seconds. The unit is calibrated to measure in microsieverts/hr by dividing the digital count by 1000. The ten readings were: 114, 142, 135, 123, 119, 127, 143, 136, 106, 144. I repeated the experiment at about 2:00 GMT (9:00 PM EST)and got an average of 0.127 microsievert/hr. (12.7 microroentgens/hr) So I'm confident in the accuracy. I've seen no published data for my geographic area, but the measurements seem in line with national ranges.

 




DATA ID #0004

(Observer's Name) Steve Stuart

(Observer's E-Mail Address) stst@aol.com

(Location) Poland Mining Camp, Poland, ME

(Location's latitude) N44 degree 04.4'

(Location's longitude) W70 degree 24.6'

(Altitude of Observation) 300 ft msl

(Average Background Radiation Count) 0.138 micrsievert/hr (13.8 microroentgens/hr)

(Date of Observation) Aug 9, 1999

(Starting and Ending Times of Observation (GMT)) 9:05 PM to 9:30 PM EDT

 




DATA ID #0005

(Observer's Name) Steve Stuart

(Observer's E-Mail Address) stst@aol.com

(Location) Emmons Quarry, Greenwood, ME

(Location's latitude) N44 degree 19.5'

(Location's longitude) W70 degree 41.9'

(Altitude of Observation) 1450 ' msl

(Average Background Radiation Count) 0.181 microsievert/hr (18.1 microroentgens/hr.)

(Date of Observation) Aug 10, 1999

(Starting and Ending Times of Observation (GMT)) 12:15 PM to 12:45 PM

(Number of Minutes Observed) about 30 minutes

(Type of Geiger Counter Used) Russian-made PKCB-104 digital counter

(DESCRIPTION OF OBSERVATIONS) This was in a pegmatite quarry in western Maine. We took five readings of 270 seconds each (177, 193, 166, 167, 202). The average was 181 which converts to 0.181 microsieverts/hr. See my earlier entry for more info on the geiger counter I used. My sons, Matthew and gavin assisted in the readings and math. The reading may be influenced by the altitude, as well as natural radiation from the quarry rocks. Additional readings at other locations during our vacation follow

 




DATA ID #0006

(Observer's Name) Steve Stuart

(Observer's E-Mail Address) stst@aol.com

(Location) Berry Quarry, near Auburn, ME

(Location's latitude) N44 degree 05'

(Location's longitude) W70 degree 17'

(Altitude of Observation) 350 ft msl

(Average Background Radiation Count) 0.1516 microsievert/hr (15.16 microroentgens/hr.)

(Date of Observation) Aug 12, 1999

(Starting and Ending Times of Observation (GMT)) 11:37 AM to 12:00 PM EDT

(Number of Minutes Observed) about 23

(Type of Geiger Counter Used) Russian-made digital counter, PKCB-104

(DESCRIPTION OF OBSERVATIONS) Averaged five readings of 270 sec duration each. The counter readings were 156, 150,162, 146, 144. Average was 151.6 or 0.1516 microsievert/hr. This work was done in a quarry cut near a pond. I took readings as well at the car park area and got an average count of 150.8 (137, 160, 150, 165, 142) for a radiation level of 0.1508 microsievert/hr. These readings were done between 12:30 PM and 1:00 PM EDT. They are very consistent

 




DATA ID #0007

(Observer's Name) Steve Stuart

(Observer's E-Mail Address) stst@aol.com

(Location) Crown Colony Motel- Rye, NH

(Location's latitude) N43 degree 00.8'

(Location's longitude) W70 degree 44.2'

(Altitude of Observation) 20 ft msl

(Average Background Radiation Count) 0.1472 microsievert/hr (14.72 microroentgens/hr.)

(Date of Observation) August 13, 1999

(Starting and Ending Times of Observation (GMT)) 11:50 AM to 12:10 AM EDT

(Number of Minutes Observed) 60

(Type of Geiger Counter Used) Russian-made digital counter, PKCB-104

(DESCRIPTION OF OBSERVATIONS) Ten readings of 270 sec each duration were 140, 144, 167, 145, 155, 140, 143, 155, 166, 137. The average was 147.2 or 0.1472 microsievert/hr. The site is built on a granite ledge overlooking Route 1-A and a pebble beach. I suspect that the rocky location contributes to the higher than expected sea-level count. Numerous granite outcrops are visible around the motel cabins.

 




DATA ID #0008

Observer's Name = Dean Chaney

Observer's E-Mail Address = Dean_Chaney@URSCORP.COM

Location = Sacramento, CA

Location's latitude = 121.5

Location's longitude = 38.52

Altitude of Observation = 161 '

Average Background Radiation Count = 1,400

Date of Observation = 5/1/02 through 5/16/02

Starting and Ending Times of Observation (GMT) = am pm

Number of Minutes Observed = 2

Type of Geiger Counter Used = Ludlum Model 19

DESCRIPTION OF OBSERVATIONS = Perform daily surveys at 9 locations within a 10 square mile area.

 


DAYA ID #0009

Observer's Name = Charlie Thompson

Observer's E-Mail Address = w5cdt@yahoodot.com

Location = Buda, Texas

Location's latitude = 30.112N

Location's longitude = 097.891W

Altitude of Observation = 600 feet

Average Background Radiation Count = 10uR/hr

Date of Observation = 8/8/2003

Starting and Ending Times of Observation (GMT) = 13:00 to 13:05

Number of Minutes Observed = 5

Type of Geiger Counter Used = Ludlum MicroR meter and PRI 111b scintillator

DESCRIPTION OF OBSERVATIONS = I use the slow time constant on both meters and placed the meter on the local soil. Radiation level does vary somewhat due to changes in minearalization. Some places as high as 18uR/hr others as low as 7uR/hr.

 


DATA ID #0010

Observer's Name = Edward Basham

Observer's E-Mail Address = sysop@crnky.org

Location = Preston Street & Broadway, Louisville, KY 40202

Location's latitude = +38.245

Location's longitude = -085.748

Altitude of Observation = 501 Feet Above MSL

Average Background Radiation Count = 20.42

Date of Observation = 04/14/2004

Starting and Ending Times of Observation (GMT) = 00:00:00 to 23:59:59

Number of Minutes Observed = 1440

Type of Geiger Counter Used = International Medcom RadAlert 50

DESCRIPTION OF OBSERVATIONS = This is an experiment I always perform when I acquire a new counter. I have 100% confidence in the numbers (e.g., time, date, number of minutes, total count, average count).

By the way, my detector is on the third (top) floor of an office building downtown. Gets me somewhat away from the ground-level radon. I moved my equipment online to provide realtime public data. http://www.louisvilleradiation.net

 


Data ID #0011

Observer's Name = William B. Hewer

Observer's E-Mail Address = rambill79@hotmail.com

Location = Buckley, Michigan

Altitude of Observation = 1100'

Average Background Radiation Count = 24

Date of Observation = 1 Jan. through 1 July 2004 average

Starting and Ending Times of Observation (GMT) = 2100

Number of Minutes Observed = 3

Type of Geiger Counter Used = Precision model 107 B

DESCRIPTION OF OBSERVATIONS = Monitor daily background radiation w/ 2- ARROW-TECH model 2 0-2mR dosimeters. averages .1mR daily except sometimes during a rain when daily readings are .2mR daily. Take all readings @ 2100hrs local time. I have logbooks with readings for 20+ years. I lived on Pine Lake near Plainwell, Michigan for some time. The background readings there were generally about twice the readings here in Buckley.

On 19 august 1996 0635 local time, recorded a Spike of a duration of approx. 1R for about five minutes. This was Detected on an uncalibrated CD-V 710. Two Dosimeters registered 5R exposure for the day also. Another instrument, a CD-V 700, went offscale during the event.

Went camping and the bonfire ashes read 60 cpm averaged over 5 minutes, while the surrounding area was 24cpm. Why? Because some of the wood was growing during the atmospheric nuclear weapons testing of the 50s and 60s. The wood, when burned becomes ash and therefore concentrates the residuals.

 


Data ID #0012

Observer's Name = Stefan Morley

Observer's E-Mail Address = stefan.morley@gmail.com.au

Location = Adelaide South Australia

Location's latitude = 34.55S

Location's longitude = 138.36E

Altitude of Observation = 260M

Average Background Radiation Count = 28

Date of Observation = 10Jun2006

Starting and Ending Times of Observation (GMT) = Start 05:02:50 End 07:03:22

Number of Minutes Observed = 120minutes

Type of Geiger Counter Used = Home Made Using CK1049 Raytheon tube

DESCRIPTION OF OBSERVATIONS = I have no data from my area to confirm my readings however the CPM seem to in the ballpark of other counters measuring background radiation and seems to have a similar response to other units using this tube.

One thing to note this home made unit has a processor so the counts aren't an RC artifact or a problem in calibrating a meter, they are real events as counted and displayed on an LCD screen.

The only inaccuracies are the recovery time of the avalanche effect of the tube itself possibly missing events close to each other and events that happen below a comparator threshold.

 


Data ID #0013

Observer's Name = Ronald E. Fleshman

Observer's E-Mail Address = ron@rfleshman.com

Location = Colonie, NY, 12303, USA

Location's latitude = 42 44' 57" N

Location's longitude = 73 53' 45" W

Altitude of Observation = 243 ASL

Average Background Radiation Count = 11.23

Date of Observation = February 23, 2007

Starting and Ending Times of Observation (GMT) = 0000 to 2359

Number of Minutes Observed = 1,440

Type of Geiger Counter Used = Aware RM60

DESCRIPTION OF OBSERVATIONS = I am using a RM60 by Aware electronics connected to an older Packerd Bell 486 computer. Observations run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I have data for approximately one and a half years. I am in a fairly remote location, no industry, medical faculties, or large developments, so there is little chance of any outside errors.

 


Data ID #0014

Observer's Name = John Nobles, RN ret.

Observer's E-Mail Address = john.nobles@sbcglobal.net

Location = Snyder, Texas, 79549

Location's latitude = 32.718N

Location's longitude = 100.576W

Altitude of Observation = 2427'

Average Background Radiation Count = 0.8 r/hr

Date of Observation = 29Feb.2008

Starting and Ending Times of Observation (GMT) = 21h32m start 06h35m finish UTC

Number of Minutes Observed = 422

Type of Geiger Counter Used = CDV-715

DESCRIPTION OF OBSERVATIONS = averaged reading taken every 30 minutes during observation time. Readings ranged from .6 to 1.2 over observation period. Detector remained in same location shielded from electromagnetic sources to prevent power surge related fluctuations. The cdv-715 is rated = +/- 20% accuracy. It was allowed to warm up 5min then zeroed before reading was taken so I would estimate = +/- 25% accuracy.

 


Data ID #0015

Observer's Name = Eric J Wolfe

Observer's E-Mail Address = ewolfe@hawaii.rr.com

Location = 81-1042 Keopuka Heights Rd, Kealakekua, HI 96750

Location's latitude = 19.29.54.552N

Location's longitude = 155.54.59.974W

Altitude of Observation = 465.5m

Average Background Radiation Count = mean:10.28;StdDev:1.864608;min:5.666667;max:15.333

Date of Observation = 9-27-08 to 9-29-08

Starting and Ending Times of Observation (GMT) = 1.27.56 to 20.02.56

Number of Minutes Observed = 3995

Type of Geiger Counter Used = Black Cat System GM-45 USB (cont)

DESCRIPTION OF OBSERVATIONS = Count per minute (cont): uR/hr for Cs137/Co60. Counter Used (cont): linked to Apple MacOSX.v.10.5.5,2GHz Intel core 2 Duo processor, 3GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM using Radiation Acquisition and Display (RAD) Beta v.2.4.8b2 software. Detector contains a geiger mueller tube inside SIMA XPF-20 FilmShield located in wood frame house next to open window 165 in. AGL (ground) total within 59 AFL (floor). Base rocks are Mauna Loa volcano lava flows radiocarbon age 5-10Ka BP. Observations not compared to published ones for this area. Confidence level 100%.


Data ID #0016

Observer's Name = Louise

Observer's E-Mail Address = louise808@gmail.com

Location = Adelaide, South Australia

Location's latitude = 34.55 S

Location's longitude = 138.35 E

Altitude of Observation = sea level

Average Background Radiation Count = 24

Date of Observation = 25 March 2009

Starting and Ending Times of Observation (GMT) = 10:00 - 11:00

Number of Minutes Observed = 2

Type of Geiger Counter Used = ??

DESCRIPTION OF OBSERVATIONS = 25% accuracy
have not compared
not sure what sources of error


 

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© 1998-2009, James A. Petrait, Project Director, Background Radiation Survey (permission is given to use posted data. Contact the contributers for questions about the accuracy of the data.

 Send e-mail to James A. Petrait: jpetrait@earthling.net

 

 

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