Answer to Question #13274 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Instrumentation and Measurements

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

Q

Will there be any damaging radiation effects to the electronics of a drone flying over uranium mine tailings or out-of-commission open pit uranium mines, some 20 cm–50 cm above the ground?

A

While the external radiation dose rates above an accumulation of uranium mine/mill tailings and/or possibly over an open pit uranium mine are typically considerably above background levels, they are nowhere near high enough to produce any detectable damage to electronics in a drone aircraft flying above such locations, even if the drone spends many hours flying in proximity to the tailings.

The external radiation dose rate from typical background radiation near the surface of the earth is typically in the range from 0.05 to 0.2 µSv per hour; dose rates associated with tailings and mines may be hundreds of times greater than normal background dose rates, but the doses needed to produce observable effects on electronic components by having a drone fly in proximity to such sites would be more than 50,000 times greater than the annual dose from normal background radiation.

There is no need to be concerned about possible radiation effects on drone operation because of damage to electronic components. I hope this is helpful.

George Chabot, PhD, CHP

Ask the Experts is posting answers using only SI (the International System of Units) in accordance with international practice. To convert these to traditional units we have prepared a conversion table. You can also view a diagram to help put the radiation information presented in this question and answer in perspective. Explanations of radiation terms can be found here.
Answer posted on 31 January 2020. The information posted on this web page is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may affect the applicability of concepts, materials, and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice. To the best of our knowledge, answers are correct at the time they are posted. Be advised that over time, requirements could change, new data could be made available, and Internet links could change, affecting the correctness of the answers. Answers are the professional opinions of the expert responding to each question; they do not necessarily represent the position of the Health Physics Society.