Probably a stupid question, but...

I got a book recently that was from the Ukraine, I believe it was made in the 70's.

I was showing my brother and he joked about Chernobyl and that I had bought a radioactive book (which was really funny).

But it got me wondering, what are the chances that this book (or any older book from the ukraine) was contaminated by the nuclear disaster? Would it still have enough radiation on it to be harmful?

Not too concerned, mostly just a "I wonder if that's even possible" type of question.

Thanks.

Not a stupid question at all, but an interesting one! If dust or radioactive particles landed on or were transferred to the book it could become radioactive.

Some toxins have a long shelf life.

You would need to get a geiger counter to investigate this scientifically.

Chris Badgett wrote:Some toxins have a long shelf life.

You would need to get a geiger counter to investigate this scientifically.

Yeah it was mostly just a curiosity question. I'm not going to buy a geiger counter for it haha

Chris Lyons wrote:Not a stupid question at all, but an interesting one! If dust or radioactive particles landed on or were transferred to the book it could become radioactive.

Interesting. It was from an old sports academy or gymnasium or something. I doubt it was anywhere near chernobyl but the thought did cross me and my brothers mind! I'm thinking that even if it was radioactive, it would probably be less than a microwave or cellular phone or something.

Nolan Robert wrote:

Chris Lyons wrote:Not a stupid question at all, but an interesting one! If dust or radioactive particles landed on or were transferred to the book it could become radioactive.

Interesting. It was from an old sports academy or gymnasium or something. I doubt it was anywhere near chernobyl but the thought did cross me and my brothers mind! I'm thinking that even if it was radioactive, it would probably be less than a microwave or cellular phone or something.

These are different types of radiation. Microwave and cell phones radiate electromagnet radiation i.e. radio waves. Radio waves may affect tissue by heating. The type of radiation emitted by radioactive material is called Ionizing Radiation. Ionizing Radiation has enough energy to strip electrons from atoms. Ionizing Radiation from the decay of radioactive materials emits sub atomic particles that depending on the type of particle can penetrate tissue and cause damage.

I asked about radiation when I bought my 2013 Prius. The dealer and my husband both laughed at me.

Nolan,
You don't need to purchase an expensive Geiger counter to test for radiation. Instead, just make yourself a cheap but handy little tool called a Kearny Fallout Meter. These have been around since the 70s' (I believe) and use simple, everyday materials to build. (Looks like a coffee can when finished.) It only takes a few hours to get one up and running and you will have one handy in case the s**t REALLY hits the fan. This is the more or less "official" how-to and explanation from Oak Ridge National Laboratories, but you can find tons of hands on info--including tutorials on You Tube--to see a less technical explanation of how to make one. Have fun!
http://web.ornl.gov/~webworks/cppr/y2001/rpt/112538.pdf

Chris Lyons wrote:

Nolan Robert wrote:

Chris Lyons wrote:Not a stupid question at all, but an interesting one! If dust or radioactive particles landed on or were transferred to the book it could become radioactive.

Interesting. It was from an old sports academy or gymnasium or something. I doubt it was anywhere near chernobyl but the thought did cross me and my brothers mind! I'm thinking that even if it was radioactive, it would probably be less than a microwave or cellular phone or something.

These are different types of radiation. Microwave and cell phones radiate electromagnet radiation i.e. radio waves. Radio waves may affect tissue by heating. The type of radiation emitted by radioactive material is called Ionizing Radiation. Ionizing Radiation has enough energy to strip electrons from atoms. Ionizing Radiation from the decay of radioactive materials emits sub atomic particles that depending on the type of particle can penetrate tissue and cause damage.

Yikes! Well hopefully the book is fine to be around.

I remember this stuff vaguely from high school science class

Julie Bernhardt wrote:I asked about radiation when I bought my 2013 Prius. The dealer and my husband both laughed at me.

That sucks

What was the concern?
The battery?