Radioactive Fence Posts?

[mclintoc]

On our property we have some old oil pipes used as fence posts. I've been tearing them out since we don't need them. I took a few to the salvage yard. They put the Geiger counter on them to see if they're radioactive. Apparently, they were, but not so much that they wouldn't take them. I want to keep some--they make great posts, but I don't want to keep them if they pose a danger. Any folks here know anything about this? Should I get rid of them? As I understand it, before they were used to pipe oil, they were zapped with x-rays to check for leaks. Thanks in advance for the replies.

 

[KennyG]

People use the term x-ray but they were probably radiographed with gamma rays. If the yard took them, they pose no danger. The level they are allowed to take is very low and not known to have any health effects if a person is in constant contact. I assume you don't spend most of your time leaning on your fence posts so you have a great margin of safety.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

People use the term x-ray but they were probably radiographed with gamma rays. If the yard took them, they pose no danger. The level they are allowed to take is very low and not known to have any health effects if a person is in constant contact. I assume you don't spend most of your time leaning on your fence posts so you have a great margin of safety.

Don't insert them internally and you are beyond fine.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Having had a Level II radiographer's license, I can guarantee you that no residual radiation is found in objects that are radiographed ("xrayed") regardless of what radiation source is used or how many times it is done.
Residual radiation in oil field drill stem pipe is from contact in the ground with a radioactive source like radium (most common) or uranium (less common). Radium gas is common in certain parts of the country and it is formed by the decay of uranium. Many homes have to have special air circulation systems to get rid of this gas which can build up to toxic levels.

Residual radiation in a piece of drill stem pipe will never be enough to harm you regardless of the amount unless you perhaps strap a piece to your body and keep it in contact for weeks or months at a time.

 

[stuckmotor]

Gary,
I've seen ar least one other explanation similar to yours as to how drill stem picked up radiation.. This made me curious as to whether motor oil is radio active too? Do you have the answer?

 

[TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark]

In Japan, it was discovered (I don't recall how) that an apartment complex had been built using steel recycled from the atomic blast area. (Probably from the Mitsubishi Steel Works in Nagasaki, though I don't recall for sure.)

Radiation levels were checked, and found to be well above what was considered safe at the time (which is probably more than is allowed now). Everyone was relocated and the buildings demolished and the steel beams were disposed of properly.

Health records were checked, since the apartments had been occupied for several decades. It was found that the incidence of cancers of all types was significantly different than the normal population.

It was significantly lower.

Oddly enough, a study done of survivors of both atomic bombs found the same thing - a significantly lower cancer rate compared to the unexposed population.


This is cited as an example of the hormetic effect, which is well documented, but not well understood.


Don't worry about your posts.

 

[k0ua]

The things you can learn here on TBN.. man oh man.. so low level radiation, "what doesn't kill us makes us stronger?"

 

[rekees4300]

Should I get rid of them?

The world is full of dangerous, carcinogenic products. Why knowingly, unnecessarily expose yourself?

 

[orezok]

Back in the 60's when I was in college, the local landfill detected radiation in a load of demo material from a building built years before. Upon further checking the radiation was in the rebar. Follow up revealed that a local company that made rebar from scrap material apparently got some radiologic material in a load of scrap. There was no way to track which buildings had the "hot" rebar from that batch.

Oops!

 

[nike]

I would stick to safety first..
Dont use them.

imho

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Better not take any plane filghts then. BIG radiation exposure. Or at least wear your tinfoil hat.:laughing:

 

[coldsteelva]

I think he meant radon, not radium, but I wasn't a licensed radiographer.

 

[stuckmotor]

There was no way to track which buildings had the "hot" rebar from that batch.

Oops!

Couldn't they locate it with a geiger counter?

 

[mclintoc]

Many thanks, everyone, for the replies. Some knowledgeable folks here.

 

[lilranch2001]

Jim, I didn't even know scrap yards tested for radiation
Yep we learn a lot here.....

 

[Shaneard]

Jim, I didn't even know scrap yards tested for radiation
Yep we learn a lot here.....

The scrap yard near us has a detector set up in front of the scales with visible signs saying what they are.

 

[turnkey4099]

The danger from the possts is probably about the same as your tap water. Odds are good that that water has trace amounts of arsenic, mine does.

IOW - there is no danger from the posts.

 

[Shaneard]

The danger from the possts is probably about the same as your tap water. Odds are good that that water has trace amounts of arsenic, mine does.

IOW - there is no danger from the posts.

I agree. There's probably more danger from eating fast food than these fence post.

 

[lilranch2001]

who is eating the fence posts????

 

[comancheflight]

I worked in radiation lab for 20 years. Little fact - Bananas have low dose radiation (think from phosphorus decay) as does Fiesta 60s dishes..