Usually lead is used for shielding, however I believe Boron is used to in a sense "neutralize" radioactive material. I believe this was discussed in possible solutions for Fukashima
Lead is most commonly used for this. An example is the lead jacket the put over you when you get an x-ray at the dentists'.
Lead is commonly used as a shield to protect people from radioactive substances. It is dense, so it effectively absorbs and blocks the radiation, helping to minimize exposure to harmful radiation._lead
Lead is most commonly used for protecting people from radioactive substances.For example, if you go to the dentist and they give you an X-ray of your teeth, they will usually give you a lead bib to protect you from the radiation produced by the X-ray. However, carbon (graphite usually) can also be used to shield, but whereas a plate of lead may work it would take a brick of graphite.
Thorium can be dangerous, especially when powders are inhaled, because is a radioactive element.
Lead
Lead
The most used is lead.
* Alpha radiation can be stopped by a sheet of card * Beta radiation can be stopped be a few inches of aluminium * Gamma radiation can be stopped by several inches of lead or many feet of concrete.
it is just radioactive ok hesh people
the bottom line is that when smoke gets into the detector, it's electrical current is interrupted, causing the alarm to sound (which im guessing you already knew) I'm not totally sure why the radioactive element (americium-241) has to be in there, but what I DO know (contrary to what the previous poster put) is that the alpha rays produced by the radioactive element are NOT strong enough to escape, and therfore pose NO harm whatsoever to people around it.
the bottom line is that when smoke gets into the detector, it's electrical current is interrupted, causing the alarm to sound (which im guessing you already knew) I'm not totally sure why the radioactive element (americium-241) has to be in there, but what I DO know (contrary to what the previous poster put) is that the alpha rays produced by the radioactive element are NOT strong enough to escape, and therfore pose NO harm whatsoever to people around it.
Einsteinium is a man-made element that is highly radioactive and extremely toxic. Exposure to even small amounts of einsteinium can be deadly due to its intense radiation levels. Therefore, it is not safe for human contact and can potentially cause fatal harm if mishandled.