The discussion revolves around the inquiry into purchasing thorium, a rare earth element, with a focus on its availability, potential uses, and safety concerns. Participants explore the implications of owning thorium, including its historical context and regulatory considerations.
Participants express a mix of curiosity and concern regarding the ownership of thorium, with no clear consensus on its safety or investment value. Some participants agree on the regulatory implications, while others debate the motivations and risks associated with owning thorium.
There are unresolved questions about the safety and legality of owning thorium, as well as differing opinions on its potential as an investment. The discussion reflects a range of assumptions about the element's properties and uses.
ƒ(x) said:Haha a fair enough question. I just want to own some thorium, its not supposed to be radioactive enough to harm a person
ƒ(x) said:Haha a fair enough question. I just want to own some thorium, its not supposed to be radioactive enough to harm a person
Alfi said:haha
I felt the same way about (d-lysergic acid diethylamide) LSD
Nice to have. Never mind why I want it. You don't need to know. :)
Rules said:Illegal/Dangerous Activities:
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Dangers and biological roles
Powdered thorium metal is pyrophoric and will often ignite spontaneously in air. Natural thorium decays very slowly compared to many other radioactive materials, and the alpha radiation emitted cannot penetrate human skin meaning owning and handling small amounts of thorium, such as a gas mantle, is considered safe. Exposure to an aerosol of thorium can lead to increased risk of cancers of the lung, pancreas and blood, as lungs and other internal organs can be penetrated by alpha radiation. Exposure to thorium internally leads to increased risk of liver diseases.
The element has no known biological role.
Proton Soup said:probably a good way to end up on a terrorist watch list:
http://www.e-thepeople.org/article/6202101/view?viewtype=best
cronxeh said:Being on a watch list does not translate to a warrant for your arrest, neither does it make you guilty of breaking any laws. This is, after all, a free country, and if a man wants to own a jar of Thorium-232 for poops and giggles, he has a right to.
Phrak said:Thorium was once a component of lantern mantles. Then it became radioactive, and is no longer a component of lantern mantles.
Old lantern mantles can by identified with a Geiger counter.
Really olde mantles can be identified with a Geiger-Müller detector.
ƒ(x) said:Hmm...ok. I didn't know that 1 kilo was enough to do anything with.
ƒ(x) said:I was thinking more along the lines of long term investment.
According to 10 CFR 40, one would need a special license to possesses Th metal in such quantities.ƒ(x) said:I've been searching around on Google for a place to buy a rare Earth element, specifically Thorium (.5 to 1 kilograms), and have been unsuccessful. Are there any sites that I can go to that would sell it, or has this type of commodity become unavailable to the average person due to possible destructive intentions?
Not really a good investment. Th is not a rare earth, such as a lathanide, but is about as abundant as lead or molybdenum.I was thinking more along the lines of long term investment.
Good enough reason to close the thread.Astronuc said:According to 10 CFR 40, one would need a special license to possesses Th metal in such quantities.
See Proton Soups post with link to 10CFR 40.13