Re: Iran, I ran so far away - flock of seagulls
Reply #31 –
This isn't a debate about whether something is good or bad, it's a debate / discussion I made about relative risk.
For example; Smoke detectors commonly use americium 241, it's present in the amount of a microgram or so and has a half life of only 432 years. Most have many such devices in their home, and the occupants get more radioactive isotope exposure from those detectors than all the nuclear testing ever conducted collectively.
Uranium used for weapons has a half life of 700 million to 4.3 billion of years dependant on the 235 or 238 split isotope, that determines how long it takes for half of any quantity to emit decay via an alpha particle(typically a helium nucleus). Suspensions in water are typically measured in picograms.
While you wouldn't swallow a small amount of any such material deliberately, the chance of direct harm by accidentally consuming some is vastly overstated relative to exposure to other natural sources of radioactive elements or toxic chemicals.
Topic: Iran, I ran so far away - flock of seagulls (Read 3646 times)
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