How lethal is cobalt-60?
Fifteen minutes in the irradiator tank result in a dose equivalent to over 5 million chest x-rays (assuming the minimum level of nuclear radiation required to kill germs). An exposure of 600 RAD is considered fatal to 50% of adults. In the irradiator pit, a worker or emergency responder would receive that exposure in less than 5 seconds. Cobalt-60 has a half-life of 5.27 years. If released by accident or sabotage, it will only be “safe” in the environment after about ten half-lives (about 53 years). The community risked contamination of our precious water and soil at least that long. On August 27, 2003, CFC Logistics received a license from the NRC to operate the irradiation facility with one million curies of cobalt-60. This is several billion times the “background” exposure in Pennsylvania, even compared to homes contaminated with radon gas. According to CFC documents, the surface of radioactive cobalt-60 rods may reach 626 degrees Fahrenheit. As of July 8, 2003, the irradiator’s des
