Posted on 12/19/2006 9:51:12 AM PST by mfnorman
LONDON: The exotic murder-by-polonium of the former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko throws into question most of the previous analyses of "dirty bombs," terrorist attacks using radioactive isotopes wrapped in explosives (or using other dispersion techniques) to spread radioactive material in crowded areas.
Essentially all analysts, myself included, played down the possibility of using alpha radiation — fast- moving helium nuclei ejected during the radioactive decay of certain isotopes, such as of polonium 210, the substance that killed Litvinenko — as a source of dirty bombs.
(Excerpt) Read more at iht.com ...
Fire and police departments would need alpha-radiation detectors, since the counters they carry now cannot see alphas.This qualifies as an ACTION ITEM.
Today.
Really? If it was easy then everyone would do it.
Either we are equal or we are not. Good people ought to be armed where they will, with wits and guns. Merry Christmas
Alpha radiation is the most easily shielded because the particles are so large. Even aluminum foil ( or tin foil) will do the trick.
Clothes will shield you from about 50% of it, but that isn't the point. Alpha emmitters are dangerous when ingested - or inhaled.
Is this the same, radioactive stuff that's in photographer dust-brushes?
True. But Plutonium and other metals are better physiological poisons than radiological poisons if ingested orally or inhaled into the lungs.
There's lots of ways for the bad guys to kill good guys. alpha emitters are just another way.
Folks here need to remember that ALL CRTs emit beta radiation -- otherwise known as electrons -- to make an image on the screen. ... and we cab control/detect/block beta radiation. Alpha radiation is even easier to block than beta radiation. Gamma radiation is generally the 'worst' as its sources tend to be more powerful and thus the radiation itself more powerfully ionizing, and thus dangerous.
Knowledge is power. There are several FReepers who can speak in depth about ionizing radiation. If I could remember their names, I would ping them for comment.
Sheeit... that crap's been readily available for 30 years. I wouldn't put anything past these bastids.
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