Reply #41: It's quite easy to monitor radiation [View All]

[dcfirefighter]

I've never worked in a plant, nor do I have any insight as to whether or not they follow the rules. It's my impression that they do: how many things at your work do you do 'because you might be sued'? Likewise, despite current evidence to the contrary, most people are good, and like doing their job well.

Anyway, anyone who deals with a nuclear source, from a small X-ray machine, to enriched uranium fuel rods, has to be monitored for radiation exposure. Cheaply, this is done with little plastic film badges, wristbands, or rings that are generally sent out for analysis. More expensively, this is done with pager-style digital devices that alarm if the dose or dose-rate are exceeded.

Radiation is invisible, but otherwise easily detected. It does not propagate, generally, through air currents, or even much through water. Even if a 'dirty bomb' were detonated in a major US city, the cleanup would be straightforward, if incredibly expensive. But, the expense would be relative. It'd probably be cheap compared to constructing a new aircraft carrier.