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Comment by austin-cheney

6 hours ago

This article says it’s all about the thorium and radon. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Background_radiation

I have no idea which of these articles is more correct.

2 comments

austin-cheney

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adrian_b  6 hours ago

Potassium is everywhere, including in every living cell.

So the exposure to potassium radiation is constant for any living being on Earth.

Exposure to thorium and radon varies greatly depending on the location, i.e. it can be significant in places with granitic rocks or with sediments whose origin is in the erosion of granitic rocks.

So some people, animals etc. may be exposed to more thorium/radon radiation than from other sources, especially if inhaling dust or radon gas, but for most the greatest exposure is from the content of potassium 40 and carbon 14 that is inside their bodies (which produce only weak beta radiation).

  • austin-cheney  1 minute ago

    Yes that is true, but most of potassium and carbon are not radio isotopes. All of thorium is radioactive. As such it is likely true that all life carries some quantity of radioactive potassium and radioactive carbon but that does not mean radioactive carbon or potassium are more abundant or available than thorium everywhere life exists.