The Global Economy And The Radioactive Cheese Grater - Flint Journal

[hatrack]

GENESEE TOWNSHIP, Michigan -- There are lots of toxic hazards to guard against in the stuff that ends up at recycling centers and landfills. Until this past summer, a radioactive cheese grater wasn't one of them. According to the state Department of Environmental Quality, the common kitchen utensil with an uncommon past set off the alarms at Genesee Recycling in August, sending ripples all the way to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Environmental Protection Agency.

"We know it was manufactured in China but at this point we are still unsure what the source of the material is or was, or where it possibly entered the system," said Thor Strong, the state DEQ's chief of radiological protection. Strong said his office got the call when workers at the recycling facility dug through an incoming scrap metal load that had set off their radiation monitors, tracking the source to a cheap handheld cheese grater made by EKCO and labelled "Made in China."

It's only the latest in an ongoing string of toxic products imported from China -- including children's toys loaded with toxic lead, pet food poisoned with melamine and toothpaste containing ingredients used in antifreeze. "This appears to be yet another example of how our system of keeping Michiganders and all Americans safe from potentially hazardous chemicals and products is failing," said Mike Shriberg, spokesman for the Ecology Center, which has led an ongoing campaign to protect kids from toxic toys.

"The nation's chemical regulatory laws are woefully out-of-date, and the increasing number of potential hazards showing up in Michiganders' homes is evidence that an update and improvement is needed now."

EDIT

http://www.mlive.com/flintjournal/index.ssf/2008/11/a_radioactive_cheese_grater_at.html

[phantom power]

1. Another chapter in America's re-discovery of regulations.

You have to test it every so often, by deregulating, you know. Just in case.

:banghead:

[hatrack]

2. Just to make sure it STILL doesn't work!

:evilgrin:

[Dogmudgeon]

3. Imagine terrorists buying masses of kitchen utensils ...

We must close the Kitchen Utensil Gap!

:patriot:

--p!

[Nihil]

4. Wonder what sort of response you'd have ...

... if you took a geiger counter around the shops?

It would get pretty interesting if it found significant readings
(i.e., not just background or "granite"-level) from domestic goods
... especially if imported from China or such like ...

:shrug:

[tom_paine]

5. I have a handheld Geiger Counter.

(former company Assistant Radiation Safety Officer here, though we only ever worked with VERY small quantities - in the microcuries range)

Might be interesting to find it, dust it off, replace the batteries, and mosey over to my nearest China-Mart...

[Dead_Parrot]

6. If you REALLY want to have fun...

...grab a surplus hazmat suit, smuggle it into the store, jump into it when no-ones looking and then sweep the shelves.

I'd suggest good running shoes. :)

[madokie]

7. I wish you would do that

and let us know what you find out.

[hunter]

8. More Chinese Mystery Metal.

That's what my mechanic and engineer friends called it.

But this does tend to be a problem everywhere. If there is some ignorant or unethical person who can intercept radioactive metal and convert it to scrap they will.

In 1983 an old radiotherapy machine in Mexico was stolen by a handyman and sold as scrap which was used to make rebar and restaurant tables. A load of the rebar made it's way to Los Alamos where it set off radiation alarms. By then much of the rebar had already been used in construction. 600 tons of it was shipped to the U.S.

Here's an old DU post about a similar problem:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=116&topic_id=1278&mesg_id=1278

A problem in the U.S. is old oil industry piping. In certain environments these pipes are scaled with minerals containing radium and other naturally radioactive elements.