[ RadSafe ] Lethal Amount of Po-210 - any gamma?

[Flanigan, Floyd]

If not, there is a chance there are radioactive sources of some sort in the cargo hold. There are quantities which do not have to be externally labeled, but have to be labeled on the outer surface of the inner packaging. Also, you could have been sitting near a passenger or crew member who had recently had been administered a radiopharmaceutical for a stress test or the sort. There are many reasons your background rate could have been elevated.

Floyd W. Flanigan B.S.Nuc.H.P.

-----Original Message-----
From: radsafe-bounces at radlab.nl [mailto:radsafe-bounces at radlab.nl] On Behalf Of Flanigan, Floyd
Sent: Wednesday, December 13, 2006 2:11 AM
To: Franz Schönhofer; Kai Kaletsch; radsafe at radlab.nl
Subject: RE: [ RadSafe ] Lethal Amount of Po-210 - any gamma?

Kai,
Did the increase in detected levels, by chance, increase in conjunction with altitude and decrease with the lack there-of? If so, Franz is correct. You were picking up the increase in background radiation levels produced by cosmic rays. 

Floyd W. Flanigan B.S.Nuc.H.P.

-----Original Message-----
From: radsafe-bounces at radlab.nl [mailto:radsafe-bounces at radlab.nl] On Behalf Of Franz Schönhofer
Sent: Tuesday, December 12, 2006 2:17 PM
To: 'Kai Kaletsch'; radsafe at radlab.nl
Subject: AW: [ RadSafe ] Lethal Amount of Po-210 - any gamma?

Ever heard about cosmic rays???????!!!!!!!

Franz Schoenhofer
PhD, MR iR
Habicherg. 31/7
A-1160 Vienna
AUSTRIA
phone -43-0699-1168-1319


> -----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
> Von: radsafe-bounces at radlab.nl [mailto:radsafe-bounces at radlab.nl] Im
> Auftrag von Kai Kaletsch
> Gesendet: Montag, 11. Dezember 2006 16:13
> An: radsafe at radlab.nl
> Betreff: [ RadSafe ] Lethal Amount of Po-210 - any gamma?
> 
> Po-210 emits a gamma ray, but at a very low branching ratio. I did a quick
> calculation and concluded that you would not be able to see a gamma field
> above background, even a very small distance away from a lethal dose of
> Po-210, or even a few tens of lethal doses of Po-210 (it doesn't seem like
> those guys were particularly stingy with the stuff).
> 
> I would appreciate it if anyone in radsafe land could tell me if this
> conclusion is correct.
> 
> History:
> 
> I was on a plane yesterday and noticed elevated gamma readings on my
> radiation detecting watch. (5 to 20 times normal BG before take-off and
> after landing and noticeably higher than what I am used to during flight.)
> Was told afterward that there were medical isotopes in cargo. But, you
> have
> a lot of time to consider possible scenarios during a 4 hour flight.
> 
> BTW, it's a pretty strange experience trying to tell an airline that their
> plane is radioactive. You don't know who to talk to and you are not sure
> if
> they are going to stick you in a straight jacket. Especially, at a time
> when
> all you hear on the news is about people getting killed with radiation and
> planes getting contaminated. The first few people you talk to do not know
> that there is radioactive material in cargo.
> 
> Kai
> 
> 
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