[Geysers] RE: Dead rodents on photographic paper

[Freund, Udo]

I would expect predators to also be radioactive from ingesting rodents regularly.  How far up / down the food chain could one expect it to appear?  I'm thinking canines and birds of prey might also give off such a "glow."

And BTW, we had a mitigation system installed due to unhealthy levels of radon measured in our basement.  Basically it's a fan that runs 24/7 to vent gas from under the slab and crawl space's vapor barrier to the outside.  It's a good idea to have your home checked, especially if you've sealed your house to reduce HVAC energy losses.  Radon is present nearly everywhere with high concentrations in many areas.

Thanks, 
Udo Freund
"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there."
--Will Rogers

-----Original Message-----
From: geysers-bounces at lists.wallawalla.edu [mailto:geysers-bounces at lists.wallawalla.edu] On Behalf Of Powell, Richard L
Sent: Thursday, April 07, 2011 8:41 AM
To: Geyser Observation Reports
Subject: EXTERNAL: [Geysers] Dead rodents on photographic paper

The reported exposure of photographic paper by placing a dead rodent on it
needs more explanation, e.g. was the critter still juicy enough to 
chemically alter the paper regardless of the presence of radium. 
Radiation poisoning from exposure to radon, particularly from "radon 
daughters" is rare in open landscapes, but deadly to uranium miners, 
paricularly smokers, and to some extent a cause of lung cancers in coal 
miners, as well as unknown consequences of exposure to spelunkers in 
some areas.

I would contend that silicosis from inhaling steam vapor a greater 
threat   than radiation poisoning in Yellowstone N. P. But I would not 
consider
silicosis from geyser steam a reasonable concern.

Dick Powell
Certified radion technician circa 1978


_______________________________________________
Geysers mailing list
Geysers at lists.wallawalla.edu