5 ms·
No, it's a smoke detector. Specifically, ionization-type smoke detector, which are based on Americium-241 (half-life of 400+ years): https://en.wikipedia.org/wi
by input_sh 2y ago
No, it's a smoke detector. Specifically, ionization-type smoke detector, which are based on Americium-241 (half-life of 400+ years): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoke_detector#Ionization https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoke_detector#Ionization
The amount is usually negligible, but this is more of a reference device than a normal smoke detector and it definitely looks sketchy enough to warrant such a response. If you look through its manual, you'll see plenty of warnings: https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ml0037/ml003770968.pdf https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ml0037/ml003770968.pdf
- dgacmu 2y agoIt's about 3.5-4 smoke detectors worth. This source contains about 3.5 ucuries; a typical smoke detector contains 1 ucurie or less. I think the biggest danger is that most people know not to dig around in the inside of a smoke detector if they don't want to end up like the Radioactive Boy Scout, but some random thing dropped at a swap -- you might start prying open, and if you eat/inhale the Americum-241 by accident, it's radiotoxic.
- amluto 2y agoHuh, you’re clearly right. I would have expected it to say smoke measuring ionization chamber, to distinguish it from a radiation measuring ionization chamber. Interestingly, the manual explains how to handle and clean the radioactive source with only minor precautions (sec. 5.1.1).