3 ms·

Alpha particles generally cannot penetrate the skin, much less clothing or shoes. Betas can get through skin but probably not shoes. There is some energy depend

Alpha particles generally cannot penetrate the skin, much less clothing or shoes. Betas can get through skin but probably not shoes. There is some energy dependence. Secondary decays and energy transitions often emit gamma rays as well which can go through everything, but the majority of the energy with these nuclides are alphas and betas. These are primarily dangerous because they're water soluble and present an ingestion and inhalation hazard. Once a large amount of a strong alpha-emitter is in your intestines it can really cause damage.

capableweb 7y ago
> These are primarily dangerous because they're water soluble and present an ingestion and inhalation hazard. Once a large amount of a strong alpha-emitter is in your intestines it can really cause damage. So since the workers are getting it all over their hands and feet, which probably has sweat on it, would it pose a danger? Also, would getting it on wounds like cuts be dangerous as well?
- azernik 7y ago
  The article focuses on the fact that the workers aren't given the training or opportunity to decontaminate before eating.
- Spooky23 7y ago
  Yes. If you are appropriately protected you can work with it. If you’re paying people $16/hr to haul hazmat (that you are concealing), you’re not providing appropriate protection or procedure. Don’t listen to the apologists here. If you’ve worked in a place that handles toxic materials, you wouldn’t read about worried truck drivers keeping samples in mayonnaise jars. The driver would contact the industrial hygienist or safety officer at work.
- acidburnNSA 7y ago
  Precautions are appropriate depending on dose rate. If dose rate is high, there is risk. If dose rate is very low, there is less risk. As far as I'm aware, radium does not seep through wounds and sweat but does get into water and dust which can be inhaled or ingested. Again, if high dose rates get in your body there is risk. Sounds like these people need some health physicists and probably better PPE and training. We should avoid blanket statements of danger that do not have dose rate numbers in them.

capableweb 7y ago

> These are primarily dangerous because they're water soluble and present an ingestion and inhalation hazard. Once a large amount of a strong alpha-emitter is in your intestines it can really cause damage. So since the workers are getting it all over their hands and feet, which probably has sweat on it, would it pose a danger? Also, would getting it on wounds like cuts be dangerous as well?

azernik 7y ago
The article focuses on the fact that the workers aren't given the training or opportunity to decontaminate before eating.
Spooky23 7y ago
Yes. If you are appropriately protected you can work with it. If you’re paying people $16/hr to haul hazmat (that you are concealing), you’re not providing appropriate protection or procedure. Don’t listen to the apologists here. If you’ve worked in a place that handles toxic materials, you wouldn’t read about worried truck drivers keeping samples in mayonnaise jars. The driver would contact the industrial hygienist or safety officer at work.
acidburnNSA 7y ago
Precautions are appropriate depending on dose rate. If dose rate is high, there is risk. If dose rate is very low, there is less risk. As far as I'm aware, radium does not seep through wounds and sweat but does get into water and dust which can be inhaled or ingested. Again, if high dose rates get in your body there is risk. Sounds like these people need some health physicists and probably better PPE and training. We should avoid blanket statements of danger that do not have dose rate numbers in them.