Not only is this headline an uninventive ripoff of the actual headline, but also this is blind fearmongering. The article which is barely longer than the headline states clearly that their luggage and the airplane's ventilation system both set off the alarms. Not any single individual.

FAIL-mongering.

Bet TSA was on that

the affected dollar bills have been quarantined.

I'll start panicking when they start running around like feral ghouls, don't bother me with this non news.

jevanpe5: Bet TSA was on that

Only if they were carrying large amounts of cash or too much shampoo.

jevanpe5: Bet TSA was on that

It goes around.
It comes around.
Now grab my shiney radioactive glow in the dark junk!

NuclearScientist: Not only is this headline an uninventive ripoff of the actual headline, but also this is blind fearmongering. The article which is barely longer than the headline states clearly that their luggage and the airplane's ventilation system both set off the alarms. Not any single individual.

FAIL-mongering.

So the plane is radioactive, and the luggage is radioactive, but the passengers aren't radioactive? I guess that explains why airplane seats are so uncomfortable; they're made of lead.

Why? What happened in Japan?

Is it time to shut down everything?

Blind fearmongering? You want blind fearmongering, try this:

A local newspaper (Philly area) ran a front page article today claiming that a recent study shows that the nuke plant near Limerick PA is the third most likely to be damaged by an earthquake.

Because we get so many 9.0 magnitude earthquakes here in eastern PA. Think of the children! Not in my backyard!

ArkPanda: So the plane is radioactive, and the luggage is radioactive, but the passengers aren't radioactive? I guess that explains why airplane seats are so uncomfortable; they're made of lead.

You mean, they detected trace amounts of radiation. But don't let that stop everyone from PANICKING OH MY GOD WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!

The headline in the Middle East: "Now is the time to smuggle nuclear material into the U.S. via Asia."

BroadbandGremlin: The headline in the Middle East: "Now is the time to smuggle nuclear material into the U.S. via Asia."

My first thought too.

NuclearScientist: Not only is this headline an uninventive ripoff of the actual headline, but also this is blind fearmongering. The article which is barely longer than the headline states clearly that their luggage and the airplane's ventilation system both set off the alarms. Not any single individual.

FAIL-mongering.

Given your login, perhaps you could explain to me why this is so much better to the point of being FAIL-mongering. I get it's a better situation but If my luggage is radioactive and I'm carrying it around with me for extended periods of time, that means I'm getting a constant dose of radiation (at whatever level it was detected at). That's still not good.

Also, I'm working with about 100uCi of radioactivity right now so I'm getting a kick...

BroadbandGremlin: The headline in the Middle East: "Now is the time to smuggle nuclear material into the U.S. via Asia."

Now that's some hardcore fearmongering.

ArkPanda: FAIL-mongering.

So the plane is radioactive, and the luggage is radioactive, but the passengers aren't radioactive? I guess that explains why airplane seats are so uncomfortable; they're made of lead.

They're only a little radioactive. Which is odd given that radiation levels have been low to negligible in most of the country according to the government.

blah...why is everyone so scared of radiation? what the fark people? it's just trace amounts of radiation.

/don't you want super powers?

I hate the instant news cycle. So much misinformation propagated so far and so quickly and all in the name of selling ad space.

So...they're terrorists?

lennavan: That's still not good.

Depends, is it a stream of alpha particles? Are you licking your suitcase?

what are you dumbass farkers going to wait for? Until the government tells you there's a problem.. from their underground bunker?

Dick Gozinya: A local newspaper (Philly area) ran a front page article today claiming that a recent study shows that the nuke plant near Limerick PA is the third most likely to be damaged by an earthquake.

Because we get so many 9.0 magnitude earthquakes here in eastern PA. Think of the children! Not in my backyard!

Yeah, if you live on a fault there's a possibility of an earthquake. And you don't need 9 to really make your life exciting.

But they're white, so it's OK.

("Welcome to the United States, I'll be your customs officer. There are a few standard questions: Say you love Jesus! SAY IT!")

microlith: ArkPanda: So the plane is radioactive, and the luggage is radioactive, but the passengers aren't radioactive? I guess that explains why airplane seats are so uncomfortable; they're made of lead.

You mean, they detected trace amounts of radiation. But don't let that stop everyone from PANICKING OH MY GOD WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!

The relative shiattyness and uninformativeness of the article aside, it did not say trace. That's the key issue here is what level was detected.

Also, I don't think you should panic, but depending on the levels it might be bad news for the Japanese people who are carrying things like this around giving them constant exposure.

microlith: BroadbandGremlin: The headline in the Middle East: "Now is the time to smuggle nuclear material into the U.S. via Asia."

Now that's some hardcore fearmongering.

i've already forward this to fox news. i'm hoping to get a consulting gig.

/science and fear whoring is fun

Have any of them turned into members resembling the Fantastic Four?

In other news, radiation found everywhere.

microlith: ArkPanda: So the plane is radioactive, and the luggage is radioactive, but the passengers aren't radioactive? I guess that explains why airplane seats are so uncomfortable; they're made of lead.

You mean, they detected trace amounts of radiation. But don't let that stop everyone from PANICKING OH MY GOD WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!

I'm not panicking. But it's not that much of a jump to assume that the (low) levels of contamination in the ventilation will end up in those passengers.

microlith: lennavan: That's still not good.

Depends, is it a stream of alpha particles? Are you licking your suitcase?

Are you planning on getting pregnant?

NuclearScientist: Not only is this headline an uninventive ripoff of the actual headline, but also this is blind fearmongering. The article which is barely longer than the headline states clearly that their luggage and the airplane's ventilation system both set off the alarms. Not any single individual.

FAIL-mongering.

[welcometofark.jpg]?

ArkPanda: You mean, they detected trace amounts of radiation. But don't let that stop everyone from PANICKING OH MY GOD WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!

I'm not panicking. But it's not that much of a jump to assume that the (low) levels of contamination in the ventilation will end up in those passengers.

Anyone who expresses concern is panicking.

Joking aside, the detectors are to detect and prevent TERRORISTS from bringing dirty-bomb materials into the country, not to FREAK THE HELL OUT because Johnny and Mary Oklahoma OMG GOT SOME SPOOKULAR RADEEEASHUN.

Manzanar could be reopen to quarantine the travelers if it comes to it.

How radioactive are they in terms of banana equivalent doses?

/yes, virginia, bananas are radioactive

i bet your smoke detector has more radiation...

But I thought those machines didn't work? Don't tell me the pundits were wrong again! (Because I already figured they were.)

/ Derp

The sensors are probably calibrated to detect extreamely low levels of radiation. Under ordinary circumstances that would raise eyebrows as most people don't have access to materials that could trigger those alarms. Given their location and origination point, we can probably be safe to assume the radiation was from the incident and not a dirty bomb or other device. Of course now would be the time for any potential terrorists to try and smuggle stuff through as those sensors will be rather unreliable due to Japanese passengers moving through the system. Hell even if you weren't there yourself, if you have contact with them (or their seats, or bagage) there is a potential to pass this on. It is completely harmless, but those sensors are sensitive and now will be giving lots of false positives.

Reytron: How radioactive are they in terms of banana equivalent doses?

/yes, virginia, bananas are radioactive

Everything is radioactive.

heavymetal: But I thought those machines didn't work? Don't tell me the pundits were wrong again! (Because I already figured they were.)

/ Derp

0/10 Try a body cavity search for something funnier.

NuclearScientist: Not only is this headline an uninventive ripoff of the actual headline, but also this is blind fearmongering. The article which is barely longer than the headline states clearly that their luggage and the airplane's ventilation system both set off the alarms. Not any single individual.

FAIL-mongering.

The bags did travel, did they not? Doesn't that qualify them as travelers?

stirfrybry: what are you dumbass farkers going to wait for? Until the government tells you there's a problem.. from their underground bunker?

This.

asciibaron: i bet your smoke detector has more radiation...

...and my smoke detector was MADE IN CHINA!!!!!

"Hello, Fox News?..."

decontamination showers are a great way to get people to strip, though.

First, this is not posted as fear-mongering. I have honest questions based on the news I've read (links and summaries here)

--
Airport inspectors in Seoul detected radiation from a Japanese passenger on Thursday, the Yonhap news agency reported, but the level returned to normal after the traveller removed his coat and shoes.

The incident occurred as South Korean authorities screened travellers and food arriving from Japan, as fears over radioactive contamination deepened across the country.

Source (new window)

Taipei - Five Taiwan passengers returning from Japan were Wednesday found to be carrying radioactive particles on their clothes, an airport spokesman said.

'One of the five, a Taiwan student returning from Japan, carried a level of radioactivity four times over the standard level on his jacket,' a spokesman from Taoyuan International Airport said.

Source (new window)

--

Discussion:

Reports are hard to follow, but it seems the number of incoming setting off the detectors is rising. While I am sure that the level of exposure is minimal at this point, I have questions.

Is there a need for these people to receive treatment of some sort since they've had exposure? Or is simply removing the offending item (in the case of a jacket, shoes, etc) sufficient?

If those who have exited are testing positive for trace amounts, does it increase concern for the exposure of those still in Japan?

Will the exposed items need any special treatment? I remember seeing a photo of the containers with minimally-exposed items secured in big yellow drums- how necessary is that?

What is the most likely source of this material? How long could it 'last' (half-life, I believe its called)

How would an increase in these 'positive passengers' affect the current exodus from Japan- is it possible that incoming flights might be redirected?