Gamma background measurements in the Boulby Underground Laboratory

To determine background radiation levels that might influence experiments, we measured in situ gamma-ray emissions at ten locations in the Boulby Underground Laboratory. For gamma radiation in the energy range of 7–2,734 keV, the counts varied from 6.5 to 28 γ s(−1). For measurements inside the Lab, the arithmetic mean was 24 γ s(−1). The sedimentary rocks that surrounded the Lab, halite and mudstone, were characterized by very low activity concentrations of uranium (0.8–7.1 Bq kg(−1)) and thorium (0.6–3.9 Bq kg(−1)).