Smoke detector radioactive

Why do home smoke detectors contain radioactive materials? Why are americium smoke detectors safe? How do smoke detectors use nuclear radiation to detect a fire? Ionization smoke detectors use americium as a source of alpha particles.

Alpha particles from the americium source ionize air molecules. This makes some particles positively charged and some negatively charged. Two charged plates inside of the ionization smoke detector create a flow of positively and negatively charged ions.

This metallic chamber features a slight gap between its energized plates and the radioactive americium. This design produces what is essentially an internal radiation detector. Ionization-type smoke alarms have a small amount of radioactive material between two electrically charged plates, which ionizes the air and causes current to flow between the plates. When smoke enters the chamber, it disrupts the flow of ions, thus reducing the flow of current and activating the alarm. Smoke detectors contain the radioisotope Americium 2(AM-241) or Radium 2(RA-226) which is a radioactive element (also known as a source) inside the smoke detector used to make the smoke detector function.

It is said by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). These products use very small amounts of radioactive materials. Do Ionisation Smoke Detectors pose radiation danger? The vital ingredient of ionisation smoke detectors or smoke alarms is a very small. Operation of Smoke Detectors.

Americium-2emits alpha particles and low energy gamma rays. Formation of Americium. Plutonium-24 which is about. The most common type of smoke detector consists of an ionization chamber,.

They react quickly to fires that give off little smoke. Most household smoke detectors contain a small amount of radioactive material, usually only Curie of Americium 2(about micrograms, a minuscule amount). Smoke detectors are perfectly safe when mounted on a wall or ceiling, but this radioactive material is hazardous when a smoke detector is crushed or incinerated. Sensitive alarms can be used to detect, and thus deter, smoking in areas where it is banned. This type of smoke detector is more common because it is inexpensive and better at detecting the smaller amounts of smoke produced by flaming fires.

The radioactive element americium has a half-life of 4years, and is a good source of alpha particles. Contact the local governmental agency in charge of dealing with radioactive material to find out how to best dispose of it. The smoke alarm triggers when smoke particles disrupt the constant flow of ions. If you use the smoke detector as directed and do not tamper with it, there is no radiation health risk.

These devices sense smoke more quickly and are the most commonly used type in the United States. Photoelectric-type smoke detectors do not contain any radioactive material. The amount of radioactive material contained in ionization smoke detectors is so small it does not pose a risk to human health. Other uses of radiation.

A household smoke alarm measures the movement of alpha particles across a small gap. If smoke enters the detector , it will absorb the alphas and the detector will measure a drop in the number getting across the gap. The brand of smoke detector , which must be Kidde, Firex, Fyrnetics, or Edwards The radioactivity rating , found on the label on the back of the alarm, which must be 1.