Okay, So if Smoke Detectors Contain Radioactive Material, Aren’t They Dangerous?
The idea that the radioactive material in smoke alarms is in someway dangerous to the human body is nothing more than a common myth. The radiation dose to the occupants of a house from a domestic smoke detector is essentially zero. In fact, the amount of alpha particles emitted from standard smoke detectors is much less than that from natural background radiation. Most detectors make use of about two microcuries of americium-241 and this small amount of radioactive material is not a health hazard. On the other hand, the ability of domestic smoke detectors to save life and property has been demonstrated in many house fires.
There should be no cause for alarm when considering the health effects to your household from your smoke alarm.
But I Thought Alpha Radiation Was The Most Harmful To The Body?
This statement is essentially true, from the point of view of causing cancer or birth defects alpha radiation is the most dangerous form of ionising radiation. However, Americium-241, the radioactive material contained in smoke detectors becomes a serious health hazard only when it enters the body, for example by ingestion or by inhalation.
Therefore, because Alpha particles are the least penetrating form of radiation, the radioactive material in smoke alarms is essentially harmless.
Smoke Alarms Have No Drawbacks Then?
There is a hazard that smoke alarms do pose which has been by-passed by a lot of risk assessment agencies. If the device itself is burnt, the Americium would be released in particulate form causing an inhalation hazard. This is however a rare occurrence and the many benefits of smoke alarms clearly outweigh this one drawback.
It is commonly known that smoke detectors save the lives and property of people throughout the world each day. The device, if working properly, can give you those precious few minutes to escape a household fire by its high-pitched warning sound which could ultimately save you or your family’s life.
How Do I Dispose of My Old Smoke Alarm?
Because of the minimal amount of radiation that is contained within a standard ionization smoke alarm, it is perfectly legal to dispose of your old one in the same way as all other household rubbish. However, it is encouraged to return your used detector back to the manufacturer so that the nuclear waste may be disposed at a nuclear waste disposal facility.
When sending a detector back, do not dismantle, or crush it in any way. The entire device minus the batteries (which should also be properly disposed of or recycled) must be returned by normal post. It is advisable to post in a box padded by some cheap material so that it does not break or crush when being handled.
