Radiation and Japanese imports

[dingocooke]

The current situation in Japan has been horrendous, and Im sure all our hearts go out to the people affected in Japan.

I'm not being intentionally contentious, but one point that has crossed my mind in the last two weeks is the safety of imported equipment and componentry.

For example, if you work in the goods inwards for spare parts in a franchised dealer for a Japanese car manufacturer, will spare parts be at a safe level of radioactivity? Will Japanese container imports be scanned at the port of entry?
The same concerns fit electrical goods, food stuffs, especially fish; Sushi anyone..

I know it sounds far fetched, but my point is do we really know what we are importing since these leaks occured?

Just thinking out loud, look forward to an expert coming along!!

Regards

Steve

[rottie102]

UrbanSports - you were absolutely right and I admit it - you were not the only one

[AcidReflux]

dingocooke, do you read the Daily Mail by any chance? Are you under the impression that the whole of Japan is radioactive?

Just curious.

[thehappyotter]

I've not a clue would be the honest answer, but, I did read somewhere that the half-life of the type of radiation that's leaking is something like 28 days.

By the time it's made it here by ship it would be massively reduced.

I'd hope customs wouldn't let a container ship load of radioactive stuff into the country either!

[Chrisw666]

Glow in the Dark performance cars could make the modifying scene fun

[ewenm]

Due to radiation mutations, Japanese car manufacturers are now offering a range of interior and control options to suit those with more than 2 arms and legs.

[HellDiver]

It's safe to assume the radioactive areas won't be sending out oil filters any time soon. The lack of buildings sort of puts rest to that issue.

[sday12]

snigger.

[Efbe]

rottie102 said:

UrbanSports - you were absolutely right and I admit it - you were not the only one

christ almighty.
yep, urban was right, and here was I taking the piss out of him for it.

OP> you're an idiot.

guess i'll have to insult someone anew all over again.

edit: I should probably add in the response I gave last time this question was asked>>
do you also worry about catching aids when you buy something that has originated from africa? or maybe you worry about catching communism from chinese goods? I know its not quite the same thing. but the logic is similar

Edited by Efbe on Wednesday 6th April 12:09

[frosted]

Don't worry , if the radiation doesn't get you , the magical accelerator pedal of death will

[jake15919]

I blame a combination of bad schools and Blue Peter.

[dingocooke]

Thanks for the replies...I think..

No I dont read newspapers, generally almost as much twaddle in them as on forums...:-)

Apologies if my genuine question offended some posters; we have already seen radioactive leakage into the sea; would you go fishing there and make supper from your catch? I guess not, so would you not have the same concerns from japanese sea food you didnt catch and didnt know the origins of? Japanese tourists have been placed in confinement in China due to their personal radiation levels, so there are risks, and we cant laugh it off because it's thousands of miles away, lots of stuff travels these days!
The Japanese government has reported increased radiation levels in Tokyo, and in drinking water; so it will be in process water in factories too; radiation is cumulative.

The half life of Uranium 238 is 4.47 billion years, so you cant just wait 28 days..

Regarding the AIDS quip, that was funny, and we all know you cant compare a virus that can only live seconds out of a host body, with a radioactive isotope which is almost impossible to destroy/absorb safely; funny as though, and I think I can safely chuck my Frankie Boyle CD now..

The lack of componentry is halting production at major car manufacturers world wide; once those component plants are back in production who knows what will be exported along with the parts; as I said I dont know the answer just thinking out loud and wondered if somebody better informed might come along....

Edited by dingocooke on Wednesday 6th April 12:41

Edited by dingocooke on Wednesday 6th April 12:44

[Craigyp79]

Oh dear.

[J4CKO]

Tiny risk of any Radiation above background, even then it would be still within safe limit, unless someone had been moving chunks of reactor round in it.

I would venture that the noxious fumes from the production of the cars interior are more dangerous than any radiation that you may get from it.

[jbi]

So now when you order a Nissan GTR you might get this



instead of this?

[EDLT]

Is this a troll attempt? I can't tell.

[Hugo a Gogo]

can I post this again?
http://xkcd.com/radiation/

[dingocooke]

jbi said:

So now when you order a Nissan GTR you might get this



instead of this?

LOL good one; must cancel that order !!!

[Al Murphy]

With regard to the levels of radiation being emitted from the various areas around the Fukushima plant and the types of isotopes and their half lives this is worth a read as a different view to that pedalled by an unfortunately large chunk of the worlds media;

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/03/31/fukushima_...

HTH,

Al

[98elise]

thehappyotter said:

I've not a clue would be the honest answer, but, I did read somewhere that the half-life of the type of radiation that's leaking is something like 28 days.

If its half life was 28 days then it wouldn't be a radioactive material in the first place (it would have decayed to inactive millions of years ago)