why is there so much potassium 40 in the milk US wide
If you use the EPA's radnet custom search facility here:
http://oaspub.epa.gov/enviro/radnet_adhoc_where.retrieval_list
(sorry for the horror of that link :) )
you can look up recent data for many more radionuclides than are publically posted. Specifically if you look for potassium 40 numbers they are very high in pasteurised milk during april, ( ~1300 pCi/litre ) many times higher than the amount of I-131, or CS-137 measured. It also seems to be high across a lot of states.
I was wondering if someone on the forum could explain whether this is as concerning as if these numbers were for I-131 or CS-137? Is K-40 biologically active?
The other radionuclide that jumped out on the radnet site is Be-7 which i also hadnt seen much discussion about, and which seems to be hitting upto 300pCi/litre in rain water and was highish across a number of states ( > 20pCi/litre say ) when measurements were taken early april.
Be-7 and K-40 are natural
Be-7 and K-40 are natural isotopes in our environment. Be-7 is created in our atmosphere from interactions with cosmic rays and K-40 is the most abundant radioactive nuclide we have on earth that has been around since the beginning of our solar system which is a remnant of a supernova. There are 33 primordial nuclides that are radioactive (unstable to decay) but these are dominated by K-40 and decay chains of U235 and U238. We see Be7 in our rain water because the rain scrubs the atmosphere of these naturally occurring isotopes the same it does for the fallout. We use Be7 as a marker to calibrate the efficiency of this scrubbing since the concentration of Be7 is basically constant over time in the air.
Since no one else has said this, yet...
...I think it's just REMARKABLE that you are taking time on Easter Sunday to monitor and reply to concerns posted in the UCBNE Public Forum. I also assume, this being the case, that there are at least some members of the BRAWM team continuing to toil at preparing, processing, double-checking and reporting on various environmental. Samples as well. You and your staff's, and students' fidelity to this ongoing work is really, really something... inspiring, and not a little calming, actually, in that no matter the results or the continuing debate, informed as well as emotional, about their potential implications, it is reassuring to continually be reminded of how very seriously this work is being taken by you fine folks, and how exactingly faithful you all are to this mission.
I wish you all, and your families, a safe, happy, and, if at all possible, fun Easter.
Believe it or not, I do this
Believe it or not, I do this because it is really rewarding and fun. I'm not in the lab today and I'm just relaxing with kids in front of me playing with their Easter presents. Some questions are easier to answer than others. If people are still coming to this site and posting questions, we should make an effort to answer them. Stay safe and informed. Happy Easter.
dchivers, fellow Berkeley parent, one question
Hi there-
I have so much gratitude you have no idea. As a fellow parent living in Berkeley, I just wanted to check in with you and see if you still feel, a month into things, totally relaxed about your kids drinking milk, eating local produce etc. You and your students are voices of reason, and I do my best to ignore all of the other posts since there are too many people posting who almost seem to want to freak others out! Absolutely no one I know personally here is concerned about the radiation in food. We were at a party last night and my kids wanted the local strawberries all of the other kids were eating so I let them have them. they've had playdates in the rain and have been playing like normal children. It's tough when no one else is concerned. So my question...are your kids just going on here in Berkeley same always? Are they drinking milk? You are rational and I am fighting with myself to be rational too!
Thank you so much for your time and dedication!
We have not changed anything
We have not changed anything due to this event.
Happy Easter to you and your
Happy Easter to you and your family! Thank you for all of your dedication and hard work. It is MUCH appreciated.
In addition to being a
In addition to being a dedicated scientist, a top-notch researcher, and an inspiring educator, you are an absolutely phenomenal public servant, Doc. My continued thanks. Best to you and your family!
Rick.