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

To: Randall_S
Brussels began distributing iodine tablets (to counteract the effects of a potential dirty bomb)

Iodine tablets would give no protection whatever from a dirty bomb.

Potassium or sodium iodide is used to load the thyroid to prevent uptake of iodine-131 which is a fission product and has an 8 day half life, as well as I-133 which has a shorter half life.

No iodine isotopes would exist in a dirty bomb because it would have already decayed away. The only way to get atmospheric I-131 is from fission, i.e. a nuclear bomb or a reactor plant release.

So, I see three possibilities:

1. The Belgian government does not understand dirty bombs.
2. The Belgian government expects a fission bomb or a reactor "accident."
3. The Belgian government is distributing iodine pills as a placebo to calm the public.

3 posted on 04/30/2016 7:59:52 AM PDT by seowulf (Cogito cogito, ergo cogito sum. Cogito.---Ambrose Bierce)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]


To: seowulf

Excellent commentary. A man who knows his science.


4 posted on 04/30/2016 8:01:20 AM PDT by Randall_S (Let's sink some ships.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies ]

To: seowulf

2 and 3 seem likely.

But it is hard to overestimate the potential of bureaucratic ignorance and stupidity.


5 posted on 04/30/2016 8:29:50 AM PDT by marktwain
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | 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