# Rantings about stupid nuclear reporting, and I want to bitchslap somebody, also other crap **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 26, 2011, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rantings-about-stupid-nuclear-reporting-and-i-want-to-bitchslap-somebody-also-other-crap/576077 "2011-03-26T19:11:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 21
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2011, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rantings-about-stupid-nuclear-reporting-and-i-want-to-bitchslap-somebody-also-other-crap/576077/401 "2011-03-30T18:10:12Z")
Bullshit. Pointing out that **the people in charge** are either liars, idiots or deceptive clowns, that is simply observation about their seeming complete lack of ability to do shit. Or, if they are simply not telling anyone, that makes them huge assholes liars. That nobody in the media has a pair and is even asking any hard questions, that makes them part of the fuck parade. ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2011, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rantings-about-stupid-nuclear-reporting-and-i-want-to-bitchslap-somebody-also-other-crap/576077/402 "2011-03-30T18:12:10Z")
But you’re a liar, too. So you’re just as much part of the problem. ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2011, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rantings-about-stupid-nuclear-reporting-and-i-want-to-bitchslap-somebody-also-other-crap/576077/403 "2011-03-30T18:13:09Z")
Poor name calling kids. ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2011, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rantings-about-stupid-nuclear-reporting-and-i-want-to-bitchslap-somebody-also-other-crap/576077/404 "2011-03-30T18:21:26Z")
> **[Radiation Dosage Chart — Information is Beautiful](https://informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/radiation-dosage-chart/)** > > Chart visualising the range of non-lethal to lethal doses of radiation. Fucking dumb ass. You do NOT fucking get .1 mSv from eating a banana, and it should be mSv/hr or mSv/year, or something because that is the correct fucking way to describe a DOSE of radiation. You idiot. “Well, what does it do then?” The major natural cause of radioactivity in biomass is [potassium](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium). In the natural mix of potassium found in food, the human body and throughout nature , 0.0117% is an unstable [isotope](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isotope), [potassium-40](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium-40) (abbreviated 40K). This isotope decays extremely slowly, it has a [half-life](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-life) of about a billion years (4×10[sup]16[/sup] s). Therefore, out of a gram of potassium about 30 atoms disintegrate per second, or in other words the activity of potassium is 30 [Bq](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Becquerel) g-1.[[3]](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banana_equivalent_dose#cite_note-2) An average banana contains about half a gram of potassium.[[4]](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banana_equivalent_dose#cite_note-3) Therefore it will have an activity of 15 Bq. The additional radioactivity of the BED is only delivered by the proximity of a banana, or for a short period after eating a banana, rather than being a long-term increase in dosage. This is because consuming the banana will only cause a temporary increase in the quantity of [radioisotope](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radioisotope) enclosed by the body. The human body maintains potassium under [homeostasis](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeostasis), at a fairly constant level.[[5]](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banana_equivalent_dose#cite_note-homeostasis-4) Therefore, **eating an extra banana will not cause more potassium to be assimilate into the body than would otherwise have occurred**. Instead it will cause the body to excrete potassium more quickly until the level is returned to what it was beforehand. Because the half-life of 40K is so long compared to biological time-scales and because the ratio in food is the same as that in the body, the isotopic ratio will stay the same. **The dosage which the body absorbs from the potassium it contains is approximately 0.40 mSv/year.** [[6]](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banana_equivalent_dose#cite_note-epa-5) Got it? ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2011, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rantings-about-stupid-nuclear-reporting-and-i-want-to-bitchslap-somebody-also-other-crap/576077/405 "2011-03-30T18:22:38Z")
Man, every time some idiot repeats that stupid error I want to bitchslap somebody. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2011, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rantings-about-stupid-nuclear-reporting-and-i-want-to-bitchslap-somebody-also-other-crap/576077/406 "2011-03-30T19:15:56Z")
What, you mean this dosage chart? [Radiation Dosage Chart — Information is Beautiful](http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/radiation-dosage-chart/) ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2011, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rantings-about-stupid-nuclear-reporting-and-i-want-to-bitchslap-somebody-also-other-crap/576077/407 "2011-03-30T19:50:11Z")
It’s funny as hell man. Somebody posts a chart that is dead wrong, the very first thing on it is wrong, but the idiots calling ME a liar don’t notice. And then when I make it obvious, nobody starts calling the chart maker a liar. Nooooo, can’t have that. It’s not just wrong, it’s hugely wrong. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2011, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rantings-about-stupid-nuclear-reporting-and-i-want-to-bitchslap-somebody-also-other-crap/576077/408 "2011-03-30T19:51:51Z")
Damn you are a whiney little twit aren’t you? ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2011, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rantings-about-stupid-nuclear-reporting-and-i-want-to-bitchslap-somebody-also-other-crap/576077/409 "2011-03-30T19:56:20Z")
Oh just admit it. YOU USED THE BANANA DOSE BEFORE!! And didn’t realize what an idiot it made you look like. ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2011, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rantings-about-stupid-nuclear-reporting-and-i-want-to-bitchslap-somebody-also-other-crap/576077/410 "2011-03-30T19:57:26Z")
Twits with SCIENCE man! Science. A dangerous combination. Next I will be explaining why drinking RADIOACTIVE SHIT IN YOUR WATER might be a problem. OK maybe not for you, but for babies. Not just human babies either. Cow babies. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2011, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rantings-about-stupid-nuclear-reporting-and-i-want-to-bitchslap-somebody-also-other-crap/576077/411 "2011-03-30T20:00:08Z")
You do know folks round these parts that actually know some science, nuclear and otherwise, are just laughing at you right? Not because you don’t get it all, but because you are so damn sure you do and everyone else must be wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2011, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rantings-about-stupid-nuclear-reporting-and-i-want-to-bitchslap-somebody-also-other-crap/576077/412 "2011-03-30T20:00:57Z")
> [@FXMastermind](#): > > It’s funny as hell man. Somebody posts a chart that is dead wrong, the very first thing on it is wrong, but the idiots calling ME a liar don’t notice. And then when I make it obvious, nobody starts calling the chart maker a liar. So make your own chart. ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2011, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rantings-about-stupid-nuclear-reporting-and-i-want-to-bitchslap-somebody-also-other-crap/576077/413 "2011-03-30T20:01:25Z")
Bananas are radioactive—But they aren’t a good way to explain radiation exposure. When you eat a banana, your body’s level of Potassium-40 doesn’t increase. You just get rid of some excess Potassium-40. The net dose of a banana is zero. Geoff Meggitt (former UK Atomic Energy Authority)[[15]](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banana_equivalent_dose#cite_note-14) ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2011, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rantings-about-stupid-nuclear-reporting-and-i-want-to-bitchslap-somebody-also-other-crap/576077/414 "2011-03-30T20:02:26Z")
I’m working on a realistic chart for people to understand risk, and exposure, and levels, all that shit people are going to want to know about. You in? Want to help? ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2011, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rantings-about-stupid-nuclear-reporting-and-i-want-to-bitchslap-somebody-also-other-crap/576077/415 "2011-03-30T20:04:51Z")
> [@FXMastermind](#): > > I’m working on a realistic chart for people to understand risk, and exposure, and levels, all that shit people are going to want to know about. > > You in? Want to help? Naw, you do it all yourself, then we will find some other instant expert/twit/dumbass come along and rant and rave about how wrong your chart is. Circle of life and all that shit. ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2011, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rantings-about-stupid-nuclear-reporting-and-i-want-to-bitchslap-somebody-also-other-crap/576077/416 "2011-03-30T20:05:31Z")
I was joking. I don’t want or need your help. But thanks for playing. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2011, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rantings-about-stupid-nuclear-reporting-and-i-want-to-bitchslap-somebody-also-other-crap/576077/417 "2011-03-30T20:30:40Z")
Not that I expect FXM to read it, but since I posted the link in the other Pit thread on this subject I figured I’d post a link [here](http://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/tsunamiupdate01.html) as well to the updated IAEA website. Not going to quote it here, but it’s a pretty short page of the current status. -XT ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2011, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rantings-about-stupid-nuclear-reporting-and-i-want-to-bitchslap-somebody-also-other-crap/576077/418 "2011-03-30T20:36:14Z")
[http://xkcd.com/radiation/](http://xkcd.com/radiation/) Since I love xkcd, I’m having a hard time that xkcd used the wrong information in the chart. Also I get a chuckle everytime some asshat uses it to try and prove something. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2011, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rantings-about-stupid-nuclear-reporting-and-i-want-to-bitchslap-somebody-also-other-crap/576077/419 "2011-03-30T20:36:24Z")
> [@FXMastermind](#): > > OK maybe not for you, but for babies. Not just human babies either. Cow babies. Won’t somebody PLEASE think of the calves?!?! ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2011, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rantings-about-stupid-nuclear-reporting-and-i-want-to-bitchslap-somebody-also-other-crap/576077/420 "2011-03-30T20:37:02Z")
> [@FXMastermind](#): > > Fucking dumb ass. You do NOT fucking get .1 mSv from eating a banana, and it should be mSv/hr or mSv/year, or something because that is the correct fucking way to describe a DOSE of radiation. You idiot. That’s not true at all. A field would be in units over time a dose is not. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rantings-about-stupid-nuclear-reporting-and-i-want-to-bitchslap-somebody-also-other-crap/576077.md?page=20) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rantings-about-stupid-nuclear-reporting-and-i-want-to-bitchslap-somebody-also-other-crap/576077.md?page=22)