[ RadSafe ] Long-lived radionuclides

[Doug Huffman]

The free neutron decays in 15 minute half-life.

Proton decay too, the proton has a half-life of about 10^36
years, and decays into a positron and a neutral pion that itself
immediately decays into 2 gamma ray photons!

On 5/25/2011 22:55, Jerry Cohen wrote:
> Could someone please explain why there is such inordinate concern about the 
>  long-live radionuclides such as
>  I-129, Pu-239, etc.
> It seems to me that if long-lived species are of particular concern, we should 
> be most worried about the toxic stable elements (Pb, Cd, Hg, etc) which will 
> persist forever.
> Jerry Cohen
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ________________________________
> From: Peter Miller <z3ix at kamprint.com>
> To: radsafe at health.phys.iit.edu
> Sent: Wed, May 25, 2011 11:20:58 AM
> Subject: Re: [ RadSafe ] RadSafe Digest, Vol 639, Issue 1
> 
>>
>> http://www.shef.ac.uk/mediacentre/2011/radioactive-iodine-japan-tsunami-earthquake.html
>> l
>>
>> 24 May 2011
>> Expert discovers simple method of dealing with harmful radioactive iodine
> 
> How does one separate the I-129 from seawater to heat it in a microwave oven 
> with lead so as to immobilize it as Prof Hyatt's technique prescribes?
> 
> _______________________________________________
> You are currently subscribed to the RadSafe mailing list
> 
> Before posting a message to RadSafe be sure to have read and understood the 
> RadSafe rules. These can be found at: 
> http://health.phys.iit.edu/radsaferules.html
> 
> For information on how to subscribe or unsubscribe and other settings visit: 
> http://health.phys.iit.edu
> _______________________________________________
> You are currently subscribed to the RadSafe mailing list
> 
> Before posting a message to RadSafe be sure to have read and understood the RadSafe rules. These can be found at: http://health.phys.iit.edu/radsaferules.html
> 
> For information on how to subscribe or unsubscribe and other settings visit: http://health.phys.iit.edu
>