[time-nuts] How dangerous if Rb lamp broken?

John Marvin jm-tnut at themarvins.org
Tue Jul 9 23:50:47 EDT 2013


An Alkali metal may be simple, but they are surely hazardous. Rb can be 
extremely hazardous, as are the other Alkali metals, i.e. Lithium, 
Sodium, Potassium and Cesium (and Francium, but that is one of the 
rarest elements, due to its highly unstable nature, with its most stable 
isotope having a half life of 22 minutes). They can react violently with 
water, releasing hydrogen gas that may explode depending on the 
conditions. Some of them will ignite with exposure to air.  Note that 
the small amount of Rb in a Rb lamp probably mitigates most of danger.

John

On 7/9/2013 3:02 PM, Don Latham wrote:
> Rb is not even mentioned in the "The National Institute for Occupational
> Safety and Health (NIOSH)" tables as a hazardous substance. Even if
> shipped, Rb is listed as a simple Alkali metal.
>
> Volker Esper
>> Am 09.07.2013 13:49, schrieb Robert Atkinson:
>>> Why are so many people radiophobic?
>> In my opinion, the answere isn't hard to find. Those people don't have
>> any experience with it and don't know, which information is correct.
>> Radiation can be dangerous, there's no doubt about it, is it? The
>> question is: is this paticular situation dangerous. So there's no sense
>> in mocking someone or making fun of him. We just need enough information
>> to estimate the risk. It would be better to inform someone who's scared
>> with precise information.
>>> Rant off,
>>>
>> Since I'm no native speaker, I'm not sure, what exactly you are meaning
>> - declamatory, elevated, fray, excited?
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> Volker
>>
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>



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