December 12th, 2006, 11:25 AM
My friend has ordered some radioactive ore for me. I'm not certain of the exact specifications, but it's only a small sample. Will it be safe to keep in my bedroom? About how much exposure will I receive from spending lots of time one metre away from it (compared to background radiation)?
Type of radioactive material, how much of it, etc, would generally be required if you want an answer.
My friend doesn't know as much about radiation as I do, so I can't tell you much until I receive the substance.
I think he mentioned radium oxide; obviously, radium is a decay product. So I will probably receive a uranium-bearing ore.
I reckon it will be little more than an inch in diameter because it's not an expensive sample.
Note that I will not be doing any experiments with it, at least not combining it with other chemicals, setting fire to it or eating it.
The safest way to proceed is to store it in your sister's bedroom, if notmake yourself a two inch thick lead container and store it in.
Whatever you do, don't keep it in your pants pocket near your "equipment."
Now Now William, think!.... Darwin...
Lead? Maybe a little extreme?
If I keep it by the window, it would probably help a little to ventillate the radon gas, which isn't much of a problem due to it being in a plastic/glass container.
It's the amount of gamma rays I'm mainly wondering about. If I stored it in my school locker and got it out every once in a while ... would that be a good idea?
I hope I get a certificate with the ore.
I think what we are trying to say is, IF you do not understand it, IF you do not look it up as to safe storage and handling, IF you have no real use for it then LEAVE IT ALONE.
Radium was to an extent easily obtainable BEFORE the stringent radiation standards were introduced, you may have a sample that has been around for a long time, it IS radioactive it decays into Radon gas and other products.
I understand radioactive substances well and I'm sure it's safe. I don't have a real use for it, only pure fascination and ownership.
As long as I don't do anything stupid, I suppose it can do no harm.
Radiation is not dangerous: it's the people who use it!
Well I can advise you to steer clear of it, I can tell you that ownership in some countries may be an offence, Such material can be used as an ingredient for a terrorist weapon, you may actually need a licence to own it, and I don't think anybody on this forum will give you any help.
Have a read of this:-
http://dsp-psd.communication.gc.ca/C.../prb0129-e.htm
Here are a few links for you to browse;
http://www.umich.edu/~radinfo/
http://www.hps.org/
You can also try Google and do a search on 'health physics' and 'radiation physics' etc.
Be careful....
william
The website he bought it from said no licence was required and that there was a low radioactivity output.
And yes, it is only ore.
Well if you are in the US or UK I just hope the judge accepts that and ignores the concerns of your security services....Originally Posted by Seanium-238
What is the web-site address?
obl.dirtybombsupplies.afg or something similar?
I don't know the website, but my friend assures me it is reputable.
What have you got against low levels of radiation? There are many reputable suppliers, such as United Nuclear.
They're all perfectly safe provided the buyer is sensible with the materials.
Ahhh... it's just that we've never seen you here before and you show up asking about radiation. In this day and age, it's only natural to start thinking the worst and having a little fun with you. Don't take any offense.
I'm fascinated by radiation, but would never ever dream of experimenting with it.
I just found out a few days ago about my gift and wanted to join up to a forum in case I needed quick answers.
Is this a test for my forum initiation? :-D
You see if you can freak me out and if you don't succeed, I have true knowledge? 8)
Not really a test. But when the chance to have a little fun arises, some of us take advantage.
Calm down, I got nothing against it, Contaminated nuclear waste (low level) can be even the gloves used during nuclear operations, yet this is radiactive and considered by some as possible material for 'dirty bombs'
IF you cannot come up with the web-site then how can we comment? remember it may be legal to sell from a website - somewhere BUT whether it is legal for you or any other private citizen to own it (under the laws of your country/state) is a different matter.
If you wanna buy it fine, my advice would be don't touch it unless you have a valid scientific/commercial application, if some guy goes to the law and says 'he's got some radioactive stuff that he showed me' what do you think they'd do?
My guess is it'd ruin the rest of week and your home at the very least.
I live in the UK. Seems perfectly legal.
There are certain posting restrictions, but once it's at your end, there's nothing anyone can do really.
Some people think radiation is a really bad and out-of-the-ordinary thing. I guess I'd best not tell any ignorant people.
Have you er.. read The Radioactive Substances Act 1993 currently statute in the UK?
Section (1) prohibits classes Radium (among many others)
You will be in clear breach of Section 6 as follows...
6. No person shall, on any premises which are used for the purposes of an undertaking carried on by him, keep or use, or cause or permit to be kept or used, radioactive material of any description, knowing or having reasonable grounds for believing it to be radioactive material, unless either—
(a) he is registered under section 7 in respect of those premises and in respect of the keeping and use on those premises of radioactive material of that description, or
(b) he is exempted from registration under that section in respect of those premises and in respect of the keeping and use on those premises of radioactive material of that description, or
(c) the radioactive material in question consists of mobile radioactive apparatus in respect of which a person is registered under section 10 or is exempted from registration under that section.
Here's the whole act....
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts1993...30012_en_1.htm
[quote="Megabrain"]As written, this is unbelievably retarded. Virtually EVERYTHING is radioactive to some extent. Every living thing is full of carbon-13, just for starters...
December 13th, 2006, 10:43 AM
Seriously now, what kind of answer could you possibly expect to get here if you don't know what type of material it is? If it's cobalt-60, even a few miligrams will kill you. If it's pure uranium 238, you could store a large amount with virtually no risk at all. It all depends on what you're dealing with...
[quote="Scifor Refugee"]You need to read up the definition of 'radioactive' supplied in the rest of the act, it shows a table, listing various elements etc and details maximum radiation emitted per CC per etc etc..As written, this is unbelievably retarded. Virtually EVERYTHING is radioactive to some extent. Every living thing is full of carbon-13, just for starters...
Do you know of any 'sensible laws' - this way they can always get you if they want...
If you got it from a reputable website, then it's surely safe for 'normal' handling. Just don't grind it to a powder and inhale it
As mentioned before, if it's from a legal site and you don't need a license for it your likely safe. You also said it was low radiation, which often means you could likely carry it and not be affected, though I wouldn't.
Personally I would put it in some type of case, like a shield of water. I kind of have a phobia of radioactive things, so I would much prefer to be safer than sorry. I even have an illogical fear of cell phones and WiFi, even though I have both
It's here and it doesn't seem bad. The package was emblazoned with trefoils, but the sample of rock was not much larger than 1 inch in diameter. Its only description is: 'Igneous rock containing traces of radium oxide. Bohemia.'
ok
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