How comparable are radiation estimates for consumption of particles with those for exposure to external radiation?
It seems the concern with the particles of radioactive isotopes one might expect to emerge from an accident like the one in Japan is that these particles are ingested and become concentrated in the body (e.g. in the thyroid). This then exposes the body to continuous radiation until the particles decay or are expelled. This is quite different from, say, the cosmic radiation one is exposed to on a flight (or on the ground) or the radiation from an x-ray. These go through the body and do what damage they will, but do not provide a prolonged exposure in any specific spot. I understand the value of giving a point of comparison, but I wonder if you might clarify the extent to which measures from these two sources of exposure are comparable.
Thank you for your excellent work.
You are quite right. The
You are quite right. The I-131 would uptake to the thyroid and accumulate there. We have taken this into account in our dose calculations and even with this correction to organ specific dose, we are still extremely far below what one would consider a threshold for heath effects. Please see our Dose Calculation page
1st Trimester
What difference would it make if any for sensitive members of the population such as pregnant women in the 1st trimester of their pregnancy (like my wife). Surely even trace amounts of radioactive isotopes ingested by an expecting mother can't be good (or insignificant) for a developing fetus correct?
Very much appreciate your efforts--great work!!!
You also have to remember
You also have to remember that radioactive material is naturally present in our environment already. Radioactive potassium 40 constitutes a small fraction of all potassium on earth, including that in our food and bodies. Everyone is subject to trace amounts of radiation already, and the amounts we are measuring from the plume from Japan are even smaller than this.
These amounts will not have
These amounts will not have any measurable health effects on pregnant women or the fetus. I would be more worried about anxiety of the mother rather than the insignificant exposure. I have two children myself and I understand the worry, but the risk is insignificant when compared to other issues that may occur during a pregnancy. If you are really worried, please contact your obstetrician and he/she should set your mind at ease. Good Luck!
Thanks for the response
Pretty sure that you all have better info re exposure and dosage than the avg doctor does for a situation like this!