Re: K40 in dead sea

[Andrew Karam <karam.1@osu.edu>]

>        This is a continuation of the string on radiation exposure from K40.
>
>        The Dead Sea contains contains 16 grams K per liter (approximately
>8 times the average concentration in humans). At a risk of affecting our
>tourist trade, I would like to ask what the estimated radiation exposure
>would be to a bather floating say for 1/2 an hour in that saturated
>solution.

Probably not much.  We receive about 0.3 to 0.4 mSv per year from the K-40
in our bodies.  There are about 8760 hours per year, so you should see
about 0.0002 mSv (about 0.02 mrem) from this activity (assuming 0.4 mSv/yr
dose from internal K).  Hardly significant.

Andy

The opinions expressed above are well-reasoned and insightful.  Needless to
say, they are not those of my employer. (with apologies to Michael Feldman)		

Andrew Karam, CHP  (karam.1@osu.edu)	(614) 292-1284 (phone)
The Ohio State University 					(614) 292-7002 (fax)
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