Reply #135: other isotopes

[divvy]

Yes but the parts of the body which receive a dose and how large that dose is can be affected by the type of isotope. Which can make the actual effects dependent on the isotope!

Potassium-40 is in all our bodies radiating our tissues. However, I think its concentration is automatically regulated along with ordinary Potassium (the amount basically remains constant even if we are exposed to more), it is fairly uniformly distributed, and it isn't chemically toxic. Other radioactive isotopes aren't so friendly... at least some of them can't be regulated by the body, they do concentrate in sensitive organs/tissues, and they are chemically toxic.

Put another way, I think it is fair to say we are constantly exposed to the risk from Potassium-40 but it is also fair to say that other isotopes can present a greater and/or additional* threat.

* Edit to reinforce that it isn't simply a question of what presents the most risk... it is a question of cumulative risk.