[system]

How does release of radioactive potassium from coal burners compare to fission reactors?
Asked by Paradox Olbers, Second Life

                                       
Go to the show page.
                                       
[chapter podcast=3078 track=11.04.10/Naked_Scientists_Show_11.04.10_8321.mp3]  or Listen to the Answer[/chapter] or [download as MP3]

[syhprum]

Take a look here this article gives a summary of the matter.


http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=coal-ash-is-more-radioactive-than-nuclear-waste

[chris]

Mmm - I'm not sure I like that articles very much and, judging by the accompanying comments, neither did the readership; it's ambiguous and a bit inflammatory. I'd prefer a sounder source than that.

Chris

[JMLCarter]

Did you read the editor's note?

"As a general clarification, ounce for ounce, coal ash released from a power plant delivers more radiation than nuclear waste shielded via water or dry cask storage."

So, it's a saying coal ash is more radioactive than shielded nuclear waste.

...from this we conclude that the shielding works. Not that coal ash is dangerous. Although it may be. Or not.

[Geezer]

I see no reason to doubt the numbers.

Also, in general, nuclear waste is not incorporated into building materials. Fly ash from coal plants is.

Mind you, I'm not sure it's any worse to live in a house that's made from the stuff than living in a house in "The Granite City" (Aberdeen, Scotland).

[chris]

Absolutely - Edinburgh, parts of Devon and Cornwall and so on, are all on granite and radioactive radon from decay products in the rock can accumulate in homes, posing, I would argue, a far more significant threat.

Chris

[Geezer]

Absolutely - Edinburgh, parts of Devon and Cornwall and so on, are all on granite and radioactive radon from decay products in the rock can accumulate in homes, posing, I would argue, a far more significant threat.

Chris

The situation in Aberdeen is exacerbated by the fact that so many of the buildings are actually made of granite (it seemed like a good idea at the time) so it's coming at you from all sides, as it were  []

[imatfaal]

Absolutely - Edinburgh, parts of Devon and Cornwall and so on, are all on granite and radioactive radon from decay products in the rock can accumulate in homes, posing, I would argue, a far more significant threat.

Chris

The situation in Aberdeen is exacerbated by the fact that so many of the buildings are actually made of granite (it seemed like a good idea at the time) so it's coming at you from all sides, as it were  []

I've met people from Aberdeen - and frankly from what I have seen they are impervious to the cold, to alcohol, and to the blandishments of wee sassenachs - and I am quite prepared to believe that alpha, beta and gamma radiation bounces off them and rushes off to find a more amenable body with which to interact.

[Geezer]

I've met people from Aberdeen - and frankly from what I have seen they are impervious to the cold, to alcohol, and to the blandishments of wee sassenachs - and I am quite prepared to believe that alpha, beta and gamma radiation bounces off them and rushes off to find a more amenable body with which to interact.
 

Apparently, they can also become invisible. The expression "The streets were deserted. It was like Aberdeen on a flag day" is clear evidence of this phenomenon.