Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: RoadGumby
"The dose rates on contact with this source, while not immediately dangerous to life, are more than high enough to cause grave physical damage and illness in a very short period of time."

It depends. If you noticed the label on the case, the I.D. of the contents was scratched off. I know plutonium throws off alpha particles. Those can be washed off your skin. There are problems when ingested. Beta ones also from various metals. Remember that Ukrainian politician that got poisoned?

The guy that picked up that case needs to be monitored in a hospital. If he made any food with dirty hands, he might need iodine and a blood transfusion.

43 posted on 12/04/2007 6:28:40 PM PST by BobS (I><P>)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies ]


To: BobS

There is no Pu in that case. Those are shipping labels (Probably a Radioactive Yellow III) and list only the major isotopes. Depleted Uranium decays by gamma and alpha.

Alpha particles (effectively a He nucleus) are stopped short by a short barrier of air, clothing, even dead skin, and are only a hazard if inhaled or ingested (Pay heed Smokers!!!) They are Very damaging to tissue. But the case sheilds the alpha. The gamma from the DU is not. The DU is used to shield the Ir-192 source.

It is ‘non-sensical’ to say that alpha particles can be washed off. They are stopped and by capturing electrons, turn to Helium. It is the Pu or Ur that can be washed off.

Iodine is only required if exposed to radioactive isotyopes of Iodine. The idea is to fill the Thyroid with ‘clean’ iodine so it will not absorb the radioactive type.

Blood transfusions are only required in severe exposures that compromise the blood producing parts of the long bones.

Remember, this device is used, and used Safely at many facilities in a year by trained personnel. The fact that it fell from a truck doesn’t make it malignant or 0evil. It is what it is. As long as the source stayed within the ‘camera’, all is well to people involved.


46 posted on 12/04/2007 7:49:40 PM PST by RoadGumby (Ask me about Ducky)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson