Radioactive Fence Posts?

[/pine]

I have been voluntarily exposed to large amounts of electromagnetic radiation (amateur radio)for about 50 years now. Certainly more than the average person. Of course there are limits and guidelines to observe. Of course that is not the same thing as radioactivity. But we all live with a level of radioactivity also, and for some areas of the country, that level is much higher than others. And with our nice weatherproof/draftproof sealed up houses we can in many instances increase that risk considerably.

We are constantly bombarded with all types and frequencies of RF etc. electrons...(wi-fi etc. has only added to the pollution)...
...It's usually not a good thing to have the opportunity to see...but if a person is the sensitive type to such things...FWIW...radiology rooms (where they take x-rays) in hospitals and clinics etc...are lined with lead and block a majority of RF and those that are sensitive enough will easily notice the difference upon entering...it is a bit eerie...!

 

[Stimw]

David Banner got an overdose of Gamma Rays!!! (The Hulk)

 

[MossRoad]

David Banner got an overdose of Gamma Rays!!! (The Hulk)

 

[txdon]

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.

Can you site a source on the Japan incident the link provided did not mention it.

 

[RandyT]

In my area they either won't take oil field pipe or is gieger countered. Had one scrap recycler get shut down and fines, with a huge epa cleanup bill over a load of hot pipe that was actually unloaded. Had another were the guy in the office yelled at the driver to get the load out of the lot because of the radioactivity. The main issue isn't the pipe itself but the crude oil residue that is left in the pipe after use. Some of it is pretty hot.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

All potassium is radioactive, including what's in bananas and our bodies. I put my geiger counter probe against a bottle of potassium chloride (salt substitute) and the radiation was double the normal background level.

More likely the bottle was radioactive rather than the contents. Potassium has one radioactive isotope, that occurs in minute amounts and has a half-life of 1.2 billion years. You would never detect that minuscule amount with an unshielded geiger counter. Of course, there's always a possibility that health nuts have been extracting potassium from the ocean, which is contaminated with radioactive cesium 134 and 137 from Fukushima. Cesium and potassium are chemically very similar.

 

[Redneck in training]

I have been voluntarily exposed to large amounts of electromagnetic radiation (amateur radio)for about 50 years now. Certainly more than the average person. Of course there are limits and guidelines to observe. Of course that is not the same thing as radioactivity. But we all live with a level of radioactivity also, and for some areas of the country, that level is much higher than others. And with our nice weatherproof/draftproof sealed up houses we can in many instances increase that risk considerably.

Friend of mine was stationed as service tech at military radar unit. He told me that there was no single officer who had a son. All officers had only daughters. Apparently the male sperms are less resistant to radiation.

 

[buickanddeere]

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.

Everything is radioactive , it's just a matter of how much. If you want something to be concerned about check for alpha radiation exposure in your home due to radon. Smoking tobacco also exposes the lungs to direct Alpha radiation. Being out in the sun will redden your skin due to UV radiation.
X-raying the pipes will no more make them radioactive then microwaved popcorn is radioactive.
The only way steel is going to become radioactive is if it' alloyed with Cobalt 59 and is exposed to neutrons in a reactor core. You should see how how hot Cobalt 59 becomes when used as adjuster rods for a couple of years. when removed form the reactor the control rod is now cobalt 60. Makes for a bright purple/blue glow of Cherenkov Radiation they are stored in the fuel bay under 30 ft of water.

 

[buickanddeere]

Friend of mine was stationed as service tech at military radar unit. He told me that there was no single officer who had a son. All officers had only daughters. Apparently the male sperms are less resistant to radiation.

Could you back that up with some documented facts?
It is true that fighter pilots regularly exposed to high G maneuvers will sire about a 60/40 ratio of girls vs boys.

 

[buickanddeere]

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.

Radon gas , a form of radium which is a fission daughter of the natural decay process from natural formations of U235/U238.