reply to post by idunno12
Just read your post, no one should be offended your just asking questions, so here are some answers.
I used to work in a nuclear plant, with spent fuel rods, so I guess that probobly gives me some rather more experience than most.
Radiation in nearly any form is a partical. Its like a tiny dust mote. It gets on your skin or clothing, and stays there until it is removed, or is
absorbed into the skin. It is miniscule, nearly microscopic, thats why it can be easily transferred by wind, rain, or steam etc. Particals are very
hard to pinpoint even with a hand held detector. People who have come in contact with radiation particals can carry them in several ways-on thier
clothing, hair, skin, or other items on thier person. This is when those particals can be transferred from one person to another, by touching the
infected person, and having the particals rub off onto your person. In this form it is not a disease, its an object that is transferable.
Once a partical/ or particals has absorbed into the skin, that person is literally radioactive. (This is what happens with radioactive chemo, and
certain stress tests-many people who have had treatments will set off the radiation detectors at air ports or other places, and often carry an
identifying card that describes their treatment, and the resulting radiation readings). Once that person is radioactive, they can no longer transfer
the radiation to another person, as long as they no longer have any particals on thier skin or clothing. The amount of radiation the person gives off
is in direct correlation to the amount of exposure they have had. By the time someone exposed to radiation would emit a lethal or sickening dose to
another person just by being in close proximity, the exposed person would probobly be near death, or have already passed away.
Radiation sickness is called a sickness because it is nearly none transferable. Once a person is sick from radiation exposure the radiation particals
have already entered thier body, the result is they are sick, not diseased as one would think of say for instance the flu. It doesnt work that
way.
Ways to reduce exposure:
1) dont come in contact with it in the first place(kinda goes without saying.
2) If you do come in contact with radiation particals wash throughally IN A SHOWER(not a bath) with soap and water, and get tested with a hand held
detector.
3) Stay in doors during fallout.Without the oppurtunity to come in contact with radioactive particals, you greatly reduce the chances of picking up
particals.
4) For those of you who have to work out doors, shower immediately upon coming inside to lessen the chances of particals remaining on your skin.
Just a note: Those bright yellow suits you see on folks working in radioactive areas- they are made from a fiber much like a HEPA filter. They have
a tight enough weave to prevent particals from getting on your skin. There isa specific way to remove them-from the top down so that everythng falls
off away from your skin.
Hope this helps