were worn for one week, collected, read, and then redistributed. The experiment was conductedfor tive weeks,
resulting in a total sampling of 400 individuals, 25 in each
areal unit (that is, 50 in each of the eight geological
regions).
The details of this study are discussed by
Segall,
Estimates of population exposure from the moanvalues
of the Harvard dosimeter data in the various areas are
given in the last column of Table 2. These air dose values
are derived from Segall’s data’? by assuming that each of
the dosimeters, worn on the body surface, read 100 per
cent of the cosmic-ray ionization and 85 per cent of the
y-ray ionization in free air. The latter figure is based
primarily on the recent measurements of body attenuation
factors by Spiers and Overton?.
The Health and Safety Laboratory and Harvard
population exposure results are plotted as a function of
estimated mean bedrock radioactivity in Fig. 1, with the
respective regression lines indicated. Plotted also in Fig. I

ao

nw

Mean radiation-level (mr./week)

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l

I

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l

|

0

!

10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Mean bedrock radioactivity (p.p.m. eU)
Fig. 1. Environmental radiation in the eight selected areas of northern
New England as a function of estimated mean bedrock radioactivity.
A, Population exposure estimates from Harvard dosimeters; B, population exposure estimates based on Health and Safety Laboratory in situ
measurements; C, mean weekly outdoor y doses

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