Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Measuring DNA Damage and Repair in Mouse Splenocytes After Chronic In Vivo Exposure to Very Low Doses of Beta- and Gamma-Radiation
Published on: July 3, 2015
Radiation doses to the population in The Netherlands, due to external natural sources
Abstract:
An estimate has been made of gamma doses to the population in the Netherlands, caused by natural radiation sources encountered in the environment. Data are given, derived from two independent types of measurement: Exposure/dose rate measurements in the living environment (private houses as well as workplaces), using a high pressure ionization chamber and thermoluminescent dosemeters (TLD) respectively and Individual monitoring, using TLD. The study included some 750 individuals, 400 houses and 275 workplaces. The participants were selected and divided into two groups on the basis of their location in areas of relatively high and low terrestrial radiation level respectively. Distinction was made between three categories of individuals with respect to their patterns of life. An estimate was made of the influence of the terrestrial component of the natural background and of some typical building materials on the indoor radiation level. An average indoor exposure rate of 9.5 muR . h-1 and a dose rate of 95 nGy . h-1 for individuals were found, both with a standard deviation of 15-20%.
Related Concept Videos
Nucleotide Excision Repair
Mutations
Nuclear Power
Nuclear Fuels
Nuclear fuel consists of a fissile isotope, such as uranium-235, which must be present in sufficient quantity to provide a...
Biological Effects of Radiation
Mutations
Chromosomal Alterations Are Large-Scale Mutations
While point mutations are changes in a single nucleotide in...
Nucleotide Excision Repair
Cells are regularly exposed to mutagens—factors in the environment that can damage DNA and generate mutations. UV radiation is one of the most common mutagens and is estimated to introduce a significant number of changes in DNA. These include bends or kinks in the structure, which can block DNA replication or transcription. If these errors are not fixed, the damage can cause mutations, which in turn can result in cancer or disease depending on which sequences are...

