Radiation

In Obenseuer, Radiation is an invisible harmful effect negatively affecting the player.

Overview

Radiation is an ionizing energy emission in a form of particle-waves generated by the natural radioactive decay of unstable elements such as Polonium-210 and Cobalt-60.

Player can acquire a Dosimeter to measure both a background dose of the radiation and a total dose the player has received over a period the Dosimeter been active. The intensity of the radiations decreases with the square of the distance between the source and the player.

Dosimeter can be acquired from looting the Tenement A hospital, looting the desk in the office right as you enter the radioactive tunnel, or be bought from Fredrik Walker or the OS Mining Services. To use the dosimeter, it needs to equipped in the primary hand and activated LMB, it is powered G by Batteries AA

Sources

There are currently 3 major sources of radiation, on top of background radiation.

Background Radiation

The background radiation level in Obenseuer is 0.400 μSv/h. This level is measurable but does not actually increase the player's radiation level. When the dose and the dose rate match at this low level, it means the player's radiation dose is 0.

The background radiation level is lowest near the large blast doors with the body on which you will find red mushrooms. It is as low as 0.030 μSv/h.

A very high intensity background radiation is also present in the Under map, surrounding the edges and increases when moving towards those edges.

Decay Radiation

Polonium-210 containers will emit around 9 mSv/h when in its casing (lethal dose of 1 Sv achieved in around 5 game days). If smashed with a hammer, it will now emit around 20 Sv/h (lethal dose of 1 Sv achieved in 3 game minutes).

Cobalt-60 containers will emit around 90 mSv/h when in its casing (lethal dose of 1 Sv achieved in around 11 game hours). If smashed with a hammer, it will now emit around 20 Sv/h.

The nuclear cask that has toppled over in the mines emits around 1000 Sv/h (lethal dose of 1 Sv achieved in 3.6 game seconds). It is the most radioactive source in the game currently. It also greatly increases the background radiation even if not in direct line of sight with it. At the entrance of the radioactive cave, near the office, radiation levels are nearly 1 mSv/h; at the first locked gate, nearly 20 mSv/h and behind the wall on the other side of the mine, 15 mSv/h.

Prevention

"Time, distance, and shielding actions minimize your exposure to radiation in much the same way as they would to protect you against overexposure to the sun" − United States Environmental Protection Agency

Time

Radiation dose is a factor of time multiplied by the radiation dose rate. If you must be near a radioactive source, make sure to work as quickly as possibly and get away from it as soon as possible.

Distance

Radiation dose rate decrases proportionally with the square of the distance between you and the source. Being just a few meters away from a highly radioactive source can drastically increase the time you can stand near it before reaching the lethal dose. If you must be near a radioactive source, stand as far away from it as possible, and get away from it as far as possible when you are done.

Shielding

Radiation works most effectively when in direct line of sight of the source. Shielding is the most effective protection method in Obenseuer. Concrete walls, rock walls and nuclear flasks are excellent neutron absorbers, preventing the radiation from reaching you. If you must be near a radioactive source, do not maintain line of sight with it at any time, and seek shielding immediately. In the nuclear dumping site, use the minitrains and extra wagons between you and the fallen over nuclear cask to maintain safe shielding and distance between you and the source.

Cures

Player's exposure to the high doses will negatively impact the physical health, causing a radiation sickness. Player can purchase Iodine Pills at Skeida Pharmacy or seek immediate medical attention at Dr. Pena MD office. A constant and high amounts of radiation also reduces the Fungal Disease.

Trivia

• Polonium-210 is not actually harmful to people as long as it is not ingested, as it alpha-decays, which is unable to penetrate our skin. The fact that it is harmful to the player in game is an artistic liberty.
• In Canada, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission sets the five-year dose limit on nuclear energy workers at 100 mSv. If exceeded, workers will no longer be allowed to work in a radioactive environment. The yearly limit is 50 mSv. The average annual dose received by the average person is 1.8 mSv.
• Background radiation levels are usually much lower in containment structures designed for shielding against radiation, as seen with the large blast doors, as they block sources like our sun or otherwise (usual background radiation sources). It is why the dose is much lower near them, assuming it is the intended official nuclear waste site.

Polonium-210 is not actually harmful to people as long as it is not ingested, as it alpha-decays, which is unable to penetrate our skin. The fact that it is harmful to the player in game is an artistic liberty.