Radiation Monitoring

[Joe]

Pete the slight problem with official figures is knowing how to interpret them. What you really need to do is get to know your meter and the expected levels in your area.
For example I use a very sensitive meter and I can read down to 0.1 micro Sv, my baseline level for this area is around 0.1 to 0.25 micro Sv ( baseline is just your normal expected readings in your area).
You might find other areas could have a level of 0.3 micro Sv or higher but this is still normal and just depends on the geology in your area.
What people need to know is abnormal levels in their area, for example if I seen 10 micro Sv I would sit up and take notice but I am still perfectly safe. I would be investigating the reason and be preparing for increased levels. When I see 100 to 1000 micro Sv I would be taking action and checking wind direction and navigating to a safer area.
Now 1000 micro Sv (1 milli Sv) is not the end of the world but I wouldn’t be hanging around. At this level you are in an event and need to be thinking and planning some course of action.
Additionally always know the location of all nuclear plants in your area.
Plus always have a test and calibration source, if you don’t have anything an old smoke alarm will give you around 0.5 micro Sv or higher.