Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hello,



My freind that is sort of out of his mind, removed americium 241 out of a smoke detector. At the time he was wearing gloves, a medical mask, and goggles, he is now concearned that he might be radioactive. I thought that the best place to go for this sort of qeustion was here.

so if you can help him out that would be nice, thank you.

Hi coinjunky2,

I'm not a doctor, so I can't offer a medical opinion. Please consult your doctor to get specific medical advice.

That said, according to http://www.uic.com.au/nip35.htm, there shouldn’t be much risk But anyone who trusts anything serious to information on the web, is getting what he or she deserves.

Cheers!

Dave

P.S.: Other web pages to consult for more detailed information, if you so please, are:

- http://www.testedgroup.com/document.php?id=55
- http://www.world-nuclear.com/info/inf57.htm, and
- http://www.llrc.org/smokedetect/smokedetectpage.htm
(take this 3rd reference with a grain of salt, they obviously have a particularly biased point of view against radiation.) This site is mentioned if you’re interested in the debate as well as the science.

Again same disclaimer, for these sites.

A note: the original source material, quoted in several of web pages above is:

http://www.arpansa.gov.au/is_smkdt.htm