Tungstens ?

[Maker]

The "problem" with thoria is the (slightly) carcinogenic dust created by grinding them and it's probably only a real problem for people grinding them day in, day out. Many people seem to get confused and think the problem is the fact that it's giving off radiation.

FWIF, 232Th (the thorium isotope used) has a half life of 14 billion years, what this essentially means is that if you left your 2% Th tungsten for 14 billion years then it would become a 1% Th tungsten - If you think how little of that is given off in the time your in contact with it then it couldn't possibly harm you.

 

[fizzy]

At last someone who gets it. The press say things like 100 million year half life as if it's a bad thing. I would be far more scared of something that had a half life of 14 years!

 

[Maker]

At last someone who gets it. The press say things like 100 million year half life as if it's a bad thing. I would be far more scared of something that had a half life of 14 years!

Even 14 years is quite long, many radioisotopes have a half life of less than a second. Oh and I forgot to mention that thorium decays mainly by alpha decay which means when a Th atom splits it releases an alpha particle (helium nucleus) this means even paper will protect you from the radiation.

 

[NTwoO]

But if the alpha particle is in your lungs, it struggles to get out... The dust is very heavy though, so just holding your breath whilst grinding is enough protection. This practice also helps in your marriage ;-)