Radiation dosages in perspective

[Captain Hammer 113]

http://xkcd.com/radiation/

[Ban Hammer 13,395]

or just post the image....

[Captain Hammer 113]

Heh, I guess I could have done that. Thank you sir.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Gee, which is safer: Standing 50 miles away, or right next to the reactor. What a silly chart!

[Zero Sum 305]

Cool chart. Puts things into perspective.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

BTW: Unless you are standing close to the source of the ionizing radiation, radiation isn't the problem -- contamination is, and that doesn't care how close you are to the source, but how much ends up internally.

[Zero Sum 305]

Take a look at the units being used in the chart.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Take a look at the units being used in the chart.

Does that mean we need another chart for spinach and dairy products?

The sievert (symbol: Sv) is the SI derived unit of dose equivalent radiation. It attempts to quantitatively evaluate the biological effects of ionizing radiation as opposed to the physical aspects, which are characterised by the absorbed dose, measured in gray.

[Zero Sum 305]

Does that mean we need another chart for spinach and dairy products?

I think the effects of consuming a certain amount of those products within a certain amount of time would qualify the use of the units. Right?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I think the effects of consuming a certain amount of those products within a certain amount of time would qualify the use of the units. Right?

Don't know. A lot depends on which elements in the food are providing the alpha/beta contamination. They are finding radioactive isotopes of Cesium and Iodine so far.

[Zero Sum 305]

Don't know. A lot depends on which elements in the food are providing the alpha/beta contamination. They are finding radioactive isotopes of Cesium and Iodine so far.

Isn't iodine important for biological processes?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Isn't iodine important for biological processes?

As long as it is one of the stable isotopes, no problem, except in excess (scarring, goiter, metabolic shutdown). Otherwise, the thyroid's affinity for the element would be a problem. The idea of the potassium iodide tablets is to overload the thyroid so that it will stoop absorbing any more iodine.

[Zero Sum 305]

Correct. Displacement of nasty iodine by normal iodine.

But the isotope will not matter. If exposure and absorption is great enough, you get humped.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Correct. Displacement of nasty iodine by normal iodine.

But the isotope will not matter. If exposure and absorption is great enough, you get humped.

Don't confuse exposure to ionizing radiation exposure with radioactive particle poisoning. The fact that the thyroid concentrates the iodine is what makes the radioactive isotope the problem. Similarly, hemoglobin being a ligand allows the iron to be displaced by a variety of metals, like cesium, and can concentrate that element in various parts of the body.

[Zero Sum 305]

In order for poisoning to commence you would need to absorb. No confusion about the sequence of how that happens.

Displacement is what its all about.