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Americium-241 is an α-emitter with a weak γ-ray byproduct. Safely handling americium-241 requires knowing and following proper safety precautions, as without them it would be extremely dangerous. Its specific gamma dose constant is 3.14 × 10 −1 mR/hr/mCi or 8.48 × 10 −5 mSv/hr/MBq at 1 metre (3 ft 3 in). [27]
Americium is used in the most common type of household smoke detector, which uses 241 Am in the form of americium dioxide as its source of ionizing radiation. [101] This isotope is preferred over 226 Ra because it emits 5 times more alpha particles and relatively little harmful gamma radiation.
An americium container from a smoke detector. An ionization smoke detector uses a radioisotope, typically americium-241, to ionize air; a difference due to smoke is detected and an alarm is generated. Ionization detectors are more sensitive to the flaming stage of fires than optical detectors, while optical detectors are more sensitive to fires ...
For some, marijuana can also be a great way to relieve some tension and potentially some stress acne. Stress and anxiety increases a hormone called cortisol that can, over time, spike inflammation ...
Smoking, vaping or eating marijuana is linked to a significantly higher risk of heart attack and stroke, even if a person had no existing heart conditions and did not smoke or vape tobacco, a new ...
For example, it is commonly used in smoke detectors. Americium can be formed by neutron capture of 239 Pu and 240 Pu, forming 241 Pu which then beta decays to 241 Am. [4] In general, as the energy of the neutrons increases, the ratio of the fission cross section to the neutron capture cross section changes in favour of fission.
A survey of American adults found that many erroneously believe it is safer for the lungs to smoke weed than tobacco, and that any secondhand smoke from marijuana is also safer.
A 2012 special report by the British Lung Foundation concluded that cannabis smoking was linked to many adverse effects, including bronchitis and lung cancer. [83] They identified cannabis smoke as a carcinogen and also said awareness of the danger was low compared with the high awareness of the dangers of smoking tobacco particularly among ...