• chaogomu@kbin.social
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      1 year ago

      Well, you’ll likely not die from a source the size of a poppy seed, but you’ll likely have a bad time.

      Localized radiation burns on whatever body part is closest to the pellet.

      If, on the other hand, you choose your fuel well, a thin sheet of metal is more than enough protection. Beta radiation can be blocked by a sheet of paper, and an alpha emitter is only dangerous if you swallow or breathe it.

      • eyes@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        This - wanted to add that it’s generally not a good idea to have radioactive elements not under under lock and key as they have a nasty habit of ending up in scrap yards and the like. Most nuclear accidents are from radiotherapy and x-ray machine sources not getting disposed of correctly and getting picked up by enterprising scrappers due to the high lead content of their housing.