The potentially dangerous news is that this fallout may have been much more radioactive a few days before, when it was over the west coast. Given the fast half life, a good portion of the radioactivity could have disappeared before ever reaching a government lab. Just a few days earlier this sample may have read 14.0 mR/hr.
STAY OUT OF THE RAIN.
Based on the estimated half life and governmental reports of radioiodine, I suspect that the radioactive Iodine is actually Iodine-123. If I am correct, the risk of thyroid damage will increase exponentially the closer one gets to Fukushima. I pray I am wrong. The silver lining is a reduced risk of environmental build up.
Here is a photo of the sample which read 0.228 mR/hr on the evening of 3/29/11.
The second photo shows a reading of .006 mR/hr on 4/1/11. Note that the meter is in direct contact with the sample
Here is a link to the
Nuclide Safety Data Sheet Iodine-123
Quoted notes from the safety data sheet
Critical Organ: Thyroid Gland
Intake Routes: Ingestion, inhalation, puncture, wound, skin contamination (absorption);
Radiological Hazard: External & Internal Exposure; Contamination
VI. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS
- Avoid skin contamination [absorption], ingestion, inhalation, & injection [all routes of intake]
- Use shielding [lead or leaded Plexiglas] to minimize exposure while handling mCi quantities of 123I
- Avoid making low pH [acidic] solutions containing 123I to avoid volatilization
- For Iodinations:
- Use a cannula adapter needle to vent stock vials of 123I used; this prevents puff releases
- Cover test tubes used to count or separate fractions from iodinations with parafilm or other
tight caps to prevent release while counting or moving outside the fume hood.
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