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Janezo t1_j70r1g2 wrote

Reply to comment by Pharmer3 in A medical isotope made from nuclear weapons waste (Tc-99m) has a six-hour half-life. How do hospitals keep it in stock? by Gwaiian

How are famuly members of those patients protected from exposure? It seems like a sneeze or a cough could release radioactive material into the air of the patient’s home.

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Tupcek t1_j71084n wrote

it has six hours half-life. In 24 hours, only 6% remain and in 48 hours 0,4%

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carrotaddiction t1_j711d9z wrote

and that's without factoring in its biological halflife. Most of it goes down the toilet.

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celo753 t1_j71cvem wrote

If it’s safe to have it injected it in you, it’s safe to be around someone who will cough out maybe 0.001% of what they had injected into them. Especially with such a short half life

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jqbr t1_j72cy8y wrote

Who said it's safe? Risk is relative.

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paroxybob t1_j73nity wrote

Not have the medical imaging done seems more risky health wise then some radiation.

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jqbr t1_j74qhqy wrote

Exactly. But that doesn't mean that the radiation is "safe", which is what I responded to.

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