When they're checking for radioactivity around the thyroid area...

[Duer 157099]

what does that say about the type of radiation that they suspect may have been released?

It's an honest question, for those of you who may know about such things.

[Salviati]

1. They're checking for radioactive iodine

It's concentrated by your body to store in your thyroid, and if it's storing radioactive idodine, then your body has a very concentrated exposure to the radiation there. It's also why they're distributing iodine pills, by taking in a lot of iodine, you can flush out all the potentially radioactive isotopes to be replaced with the normal non-radioactive variety.

[Night Crawler]

3. Padiddle

:)

[Night Crawler]

2. Radioactive Iodine

a product of nuclear fission. That's why the iodine pills to "load up" the thyroid as it were.

[eShirl]

4. Glad the typical Japanese diet is relatively high in natural iodine

lots of sea vegetables

[kestrel91316]

5. I131, I think. The same radioisotope that is used to treat hyperthyroidism.

Not something we WANT to expose healthy thyroids to. And the reason why preparation for nuclear war includes stockpiling iodine - to block the uptake of I131.

[Duer 157099]

6. Yeah. I guess my question was more directed to whether

the type of radiation that leaks correlates to how badly damaged the reactor really is. Like, if they're looking for tritium, is that a specific type of failure, or cesium, etc.

I'm not even sure if such an analysis is possible, but thought I'd pose the question to see.

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. Cesium and Iodine are classics for a reactor that is

out of control They are not good news.

[Duer 157099]

11. That was what I suspected

That they are specifically holding their counters near the thyroid tells me that they are specifically looking to see if hot iodine was released.

Although to be fair, I'm not sure how they'd detect otherwise, unless the people were wearing dosimeters during exposure, not likely.

[Paradoxical]

13. It takes time for iodine to accumulate in the thyroid.

It's only been a few hours. They are not checking the thyroid.

They are checking to see if any alpha or beta particles are present on the persons clothing or body.

[Duer 157099]

15. How much time does it take for hot iodine to get to the thyroid?

And where does it go in the meantime? Wander around the bloodstream, sightseeing?

[Paradoxical]

22. dupe

[Paradoxical]

23. No, the radioactive iodine is trickling into your system from extended exposure.

It's not like someone dumps a pile of radioactive iodine on top of your head and that's how you get dosed. It's in the air. And it takes time to settle.

How long it takes to accumulate is entirely dependent on the level of radioactive iodine present, span of exposure and an individuals body.

[nadinbrzezinski]

16. It takes time to accumulate in the thyroid

but they are following parameters that are internationally mandated... when the counters come out... it is not good news... regardless of what the boosters tell us.

[Duer 157099]

17. If the thyroid is insufficiently saturated with iodine

then really, how much time does it take for iodine that enters the body to sequester in the thyroid? I thought it was relatively quickly. No?

[nadinbrzezinski]

18. 72 hours from memory

the release was yesterday...

What they will have regardless of how bad this is, or good... are cancer clusters for a good 75 years... starting in five. The children may start having really rare brain and bone cancers, and that is the way those start. Moms who are pregnant right now...

Trying to find the info for you by the way

[Duer 157099]

20. 72 hours I could buy for a fully stocked thyroid

But I'm assuming a typical American deficient one, most likely not the case with Japanese people.

[nadinbrzezinski]

21. If you have a thyroid deficiency ask your doctor

this is not a toy.

[Duer 157099]

24. Well as it happens I do

but that's not exactly what I'm talking about. But ok.

[Paradoxical]

19. Please stop with the name-calling.

It's getting really old.

[Paradoxical]

10. Radiation is radiation.

I think you mean to ask if different types of elements or isotopes mean different levels of damage or release.

The answer is yes. Based on how the core is damaged, different types of byproducts will be produced.

[Duer 157099]

12. Does radioactive tritium collect in the thyroid?

If so, my question is moot.

[joshcryer]

14. Tritium metobalises to all parts of the body in the form of triated water.

edit: however the vast majority of it is released within hours or days (because of how much water we consume / release)

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. Radioactive iodine

[Paradoxical]

8. They are checking for Iodine-131

A radioactive isotope of Iodine.

[applegrove]

25. Why Give Iodide for radiation poisoning.

http://ljkboerner.wordpress.com/2011/03/12/why-give-iodide-for-radiation-poisoning/