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Re: Cutting Tungsten (fwd)
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 31 Mar 1998 08:01:17 EST
From: Hollmike <Hollmike-at-aol-dot-com>
To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject: Re: Cutting Tungsten (fwd)
Jim, Rich, all,
I just wanted to add that thorium is relatively harmless UNLESS YOU
BREATHE THE DUST. The alpha radiation is blocked by a few inches of air
because it is so reactive (a helium ion deficient in two electrons = very
ionizing). If you happen to breathe even a little of the dust, this
ionization occurs in lung tissue and becomes extremely damaging. At 2%
thorium, these rods will send the typical geiger-mueller counter off the
scale. I also expect that a fair amount of decay products(daughter products)
will have built up in the rods that are even more radioactive than the thorium
itself. I would suggest a respirator with a hepa type filter if available.
The lanthanide elements are somewhat toxic. I would use a mask to prevent
inhalation of the dust. It just makes good sense to do so. You will prevent
possible irritation of lung tissue. This goes with any activity that creates
much dust whether the dust is chemically toxic or not.
Mike Hollingsworth