Photoelectric Smoke Detectors

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A DOSE OF YOUR OWN

There is, of course, still that one other factor to consider ... just how much of a threat does the radiation from an ionizing detector present? Well, as you may know, many questions about the danger posed by low-level radiation have yet to be answered. Nevertheless, we can say that such devices contain only a small amount of radioactive material (usually less than one microcurie), and if this type of detector is used (and performs) properly, the doses received by nearby individuals should be very small. There may, however, be greater risk [1] if the foil packaging should fail (because of intentional misuse or inadvertent damage, such as might occur if the unit is exposed to fire), [2] during the manufacturing process (risk to workers), or [3] upon disposal (the firms that make these devices all request that old ionizing detectors be returned to them).

We checked the emission level from a three-year-old G.E. ionizing detector with a Radiation Alert Monitor 4 (which is available from Solar Electronics, Dept. TMEN, 156 Drake Lane, Surnmertown, Tennessee 38383 ... for $150, plus $5 shipping) and obtained a reading of 0.05 milliroentgens per hour (mr/hr.) at a distance of 4 inches ... barely enough to be measurable. You might compare this number with the statistics presented in the article "The Hidden Dangers of Mantle Lamps", which appeared on page 58 of MOTHER NO. 78. In general, the results noted there were slightL y higher, but were still far below the level of natural background radiation, the amount received from a diagnostic X-ray, or even the exposure that occurs during a high-altitude cross-country airplane trip. We'd like to emphasize again, however, that no one can honestly claim to know that any exposure to low-level radiation-no matter how small-is "safe".

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