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Cutting Tungsten (fwd)
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To: "'Tesla List'" <tesla@pupman.com>
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Subject: Cutting Tungsten (fwd)
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From: Tesla List <tesla@stic.net>
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Date: Thu, 2 Apr 1998 00:22:27 -0600
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Approved: tesla@stic.net
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From: Jim Lux [SMTP:jimlux@earthlink.net]
Sent: Wednesday, April 01, 1998 10:41 AM
To: Tesla List
Subject: Re: Cutting Tungsten (fwd)
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> Date: Tue, 31 Mar 1998 08:01:17 EST
> From: Hollmike <Hollmike@aol.com>
> To: tesla@pupman.com
> Subject: Re: Cutting Tungsten (fwd)
>
> Jim, Rich, all,
> I just wanted to add that thorium is relatively harmless UNLESS YOU
> BREATHE THE DUST. The alpha radiation is blocked by a few inches of air
> because it is so reactive (a helium ion deficient in two electrons = very
> ionizing). If you happen to breathe even a little of the dust, this
> ionization occurs in lung tissue and becomes extremely damaging. At 2%
> thorium, these rods will send the typical geiger-mueller counter off the
> scale.
Interestingly, I put an unused 2% thoriated electrode next to my GM
counter's alpha window and got NO increase in count rate. Perhaps the
electrode is plated with tungsten ( a mighty good alpha blocker) or even a
film of oil or plastic? Next I'll go look at the grinding wheel the welders
have been using to grind the electrodes...
I also expect that a fair amount of decay products(daughter products)
> will have built up in the rods that are even more radioactive than the
thorium
> itself. I would suggest a respirator with a hepa type filter if
available.
> The lanthanide elements are somewhat toxic. I would use a mask to
prevent
> inhalation of the dust. It just makes good sense to do so. You will
prevent
> possible irritation of lung tissue. This goes with any activity that
creates
> much dust whether the dust is chemically toxic or not.
Indeed... as if the ozone from the arcs weren't bad enough.