date:Apr 08, 2013
orted to the Dalgety Bay Particles Advisory Group.
Science behind the story
Radium-226 is a radioactive element that decays by alpha particle emission and has a half-life of 1,600 years, producing radioactive breakdown products including radon and lead. In the past it has been used to luminise instruments such as aircraft dials so that they can be seen in the dark.
Some of the items break down easily, making it possible for small particles to be taken up by seafood such as cockles and mussels