Avocados You Eat Are Radioactive But That's OK
- 8 years ago
A new study led by NC State has recorded the amount of gamma radiation emitted by ordinary household goods like avocados, smoke detectors, and bricks in order to show that exposure to very low levels are no reason for panic.
People are typically afraid of radiation, but a recently published study aims to show just how common it can be.
According to a news release by North Carolina State University, “...researchers used a portable gamma radiation meter to measure the external gamma radiation emitted in a North Carolina home. The radiation was measured in microgray per hour.”
Avocados and bananas registered a reading of 0.16 and 0.17 micrograys per hour, respectively, due to the natural radiation emitted by potassium-rich ingredients.
One of the paper’s authors, Robert Hayes, is quoted as saying, “If you’re surprised that your fruit is emitting gamma radiation, don’t panic. The regulatory level for workers – which is safe – is exposure to 50,000 [micrograys] per year. The levels we’re talking about in your household are incredibly low.”
Other items that were tested include smoke detectors, which recorded 0.16 micrograys and bricks which emitted 0.15 micrograys.
Overall, the researchers hope to allay fears about this kind of energy, with Hayes explaining, “If people understand what trace levels of radiation mean, that understanding may help prevent panic.”
People are typically afraid of radiation, but a recently published study aims to show just how common it can be.
According to a news release by North Carolina State University, “...researchers used a portable gamma radiation meter to measure the external gamma radiation emitted in a North Carolina home. The radiation was measured in microgray per hour.”
Avocados and bananas registered a reading of 0.16 and 0.17 micrograys per hour, respectively, due to the natural radiation emitted by potassium-rich ingredients.
One of the paper’s authors, Robert Hayes, is quoted as saying, “If you’re surprised that your fruit is emitting gamma radiation, don’t panic. The regulatory level for workers – which is safe – is exposure to 50,000 [micrograys] per year. The levels we’re talking about in your household are incredibly low.”
Other items that were tested include smoke detectors, which recorded 0.16 micrograys and bricks which emitted 0.15 micrograys.
Overall, the researchers hope to allay fears about this kind of energy, with Hayes explaining, “If people understand what trace levels of radiation mean, that understanding may help prevent panic.”