08-25-2007, 09:48 AM
quote:
Tc99's T1/2 is millions of years. It is not a problem because all that means is that it gives off MUCH less radioactivity per unit time. So, the longer the T1/2, the less radioactive and dangerous.
Does this make sense? The uranium and plutonium radioactive wastes from power plants have a half-life of hundreds of thousands (millions?) of years and are extremely dangerous. That's why there are so many fights about storing the stuff. Perhaps not all materials emit radiation equally over their lifetime.