Radioactive Isotops

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 2012-05-13 05:01

Any radionuclide generated through human created sources that is outside of its originally intended containment is concerning and requires decisive appropriate action in the face of its release. Thanks.

Mainur Rashid

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Not true at all

Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 2012-05-13 11:19.

Just because an radioisotope is released doesn't mean that it is a problem or something sinister.

If that were true, then burning leaves that you rake up in the fall is a major concern, because you are distributing radioactive material. The Carbon in those leaves contains naturally-made radioactive Carbon-14. When you burn those leaves, the Carbon goes into making Carbon Dioxide gas - CO2 - and some of that CO2 is radioactive due to the Carbon-14.

There are LOTS of examples of everyday innocent things that we do that release radioactive material into the environment.

Rather than say that we have to get all upset whenever an activity results in the release of radioisotopes; we should ask instead "How much and what?"

The activity may result in very little radioactive release in comparison to what we are already exposed to courtesy of Mother Nature.

The above maxim is ill-considered by someone who doesn't realize how much radioactivity there is in the environment already due to Mother Nature.