Fallout Contamination? BRAWM can you give some insight?
I have been wondering about items being contaminated from fallout in precipitation. For example; during the days of the highest measurements of fallout in our rainwater, my family was in and out of our car which has cloth seats. Our seats definitely got wet from the rain water. Does this mean that our seats are now radioactive and are we being exposed to cesium every time we are in the car? We can't really wash the seats like you can the outside of your car. We also moved a cloth couch in the rain during this same time; is it now radioactive too? Should we get rid of it?
Secondly are there certain things (other than dirt or dust) that more readily absorb nuclides... wood, cotton, plastic, etc?
And lastly, what type of exposure are we getting from such items that have been contaminated?
Thanks in advance!
Just a mom trying to make sense of all of this and protect my toddler
BRAWM - You really should respond to this Mom
I have wondered the same things.
Often in the Spring I will take throw rugs etc and expose them to rain and sun to "wash" them rather than use energy to do so via washing machine. I tended not to bring such wet items back into the house when the levels were highest and they are hanging on the line where I HOPE the new rains and sun will wash out some of what was in them.
But the questions raised by this mom are valid ones: does rain which tested positive for radiocesium etc that has soaked into materials such as she mentioned remain there once it dries and how likely are these to be emitting radiation whenever she sits in her car (and the exposure would be to areas which are very sensitive to radiation such as our reproductive organs, etc.)
At levels you found in rain what is the likelihood that these emit radiocontaminants which would penetrate into the body or onto the surface of our nether regions, for example (does a beta particle emitted travel several inches or will skin and clothes block it?)
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I'm not on the BRAWM team,
I'm not on the BRAWM team, but I'll tell you this:
Look at the numbers they have measured for contamination of soil and water. Very low. You do more damage to your body by walking around and breathing pollution in a city or taking an airplane flight.
Worry about not eating properly or not getting enough exercise.
If you're really worried, contact a environmental lab and have them test the car seats. Or buy new seats.
do you drive naked? do you
do you drive naked? do you ever wash you pants?
Yes, of course I drive
Yes, of course I drive naked! Doesn't everyone?? I also drive in shorts and t-shirts both which allow my skin to touch my car seats. I have a baby and I am breastfeeding so I feel it is a legitimate concern. My family spends a lot of time commuting in our car, so I am trying to truly figure out if this is a problem. Buying new car seats is currently not an option.
The radionuclides are picked
The radionuclides are picked up and carried who knows where. Some will certainly be in your home by now. Some remain still in the car. If you think too much of them you'll no doubt be driven insane (fuel fleas and all). My advice- have yourself a good, well-deserved steam bath thrice weekly and focus instead on your wellness.
I think ignoring the problem
I think ignoring the problem is not going to make it go away. :-)
Let's bump this for a BRAWM response.
Mark?
Mark?
Oh there is no way BRAWM is
Oh there is no way BRAWM is going to respond to this.
The answer is that of course there's almost certainly some radioactive particles from Fukushima on your car seat and couch.
However washing it probably wouldn't do a lot of good anyway, since your tap water is probably contaminated also (If you are getting your tapwater from an uncontaminated source then that's different, but for most of us, it is contaminated because it rained/dust fell in our reservoirs, etc.)
So any laundry you've done since Fukushima is probably contaminated also.
And clothes you've worn outside.
Your own skin, your own hair.
Vacuum what you can with a HEPA filtered vacuum cleaner, take your antioxidants, hope chance favors you and try not to think too much about it.
Not getting overly focused on it after you've done all you can do is a good idea. However, steam baths NOT recommended unless your tapwater is from an uncontaminated source.