Banana equivalent dose
A banana equivalent dose is a concept occasionally used by nuclear proponents to place in scale the dangers of radiation[1][2] by comparing exposures to the radiation generated by a common banana.
Many foods are naturally radioactive, and bananas are particular so, due to the radioactive potassium-40 contained within them. The banana equivalent dose is the radiation exposure received from that of eating a single banana. Radiation leaks from nuclear plants are often measured in extraordinary small units (the picocurie: a millionth of a millionth of a curie is typical) By comparing the exposure from these events to a banana equivalent dose, a more realistic assessment of the actual risk can sometimes be obtained.
The average radiologic profile of bananas is 3520 picocuries per kg, or roughly 520 picocuries per 150g banana.[3].
Bananas are radioactive enough to regularly cause false alarms on radiation sensors used to detect possible illegal smuggling of nuclear material at US ports.[4]
Potatoes, kidney beans, nuts, and sunflower seeds are some other foods which are moderately radioactive.[5]
References
- ^ http://www.ehs.unr.edu/ehs/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=EgZI00myQRM%3D&tabid=62&mid=615
- ^ http://enochthered.wordpress.com/category/banana-dose/
- ^ CDR Handbook on Radiation Measurement and Protection, pg. 620
- ^ http://www.nti.org/e_research/e3_88.html
- ^ http://www.ocrwm.doe.gov/curriculum/unit2/pdf/lesson3activity3.pdf