Local Gifted Teen Detects Japanese Radiation in Reno

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Updated: 9:34 PM Apr 1, 2011 Local Gifted Teen Detects Japanese Radiation in Reno A young scholar at a Reno school for gifted middle and high school students has detected tiny amounts of radiation from Japan's damaged nuclear plant in Reno's air, snow and rain. Posted: 3:33 PM Apr 1, 2011 Reporter: Staff Email Address: news@kolotv.com

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RENO, Nev. (AP) - A young scholar at a Reno school for gifted
middle and high school students has detected tiny amounts of
radiation from Japan's damaged nuclear plant in Reno's air, snow
and rain.

Sixteen-year-old Taylor Wilson made the discovery with equipment he uses to measure radioactivity in his own class projects at the Davidson Academy on the University of Nevada, Reno campus.

Wilson, who became the youngest person to produce nuclear fusion
two years ago, says a high-purity germanium spectrometer detected
minuscule amounts of the radioactive isotopes iodine-131 and
cesium-137 and cesium-134.

While the isotopes are not usually detected in Nevada, Wilson stresses the readings were far below levels that could pose any
health risks.

Tiny amounts of the isotopes also have been detected in Las
Vegas.

Latest Comments

Posted by: NadePaulKuciGravMcKi Location: the states on Apr 23, 2011 at 10:38 PM

river STYX in front of Dr Caldicott MD Thank you very much, Mr. Roboto どうもありがとうミスターロボット dōmo arigatō misutā Robotto

Posted by: Xor Nor Location: Northern Hemishphere on Apr 21, 2011 at 12:22 PM

How nice to keep reassuring the masses that the radioisotopes are 'safe.' Your prodigy high school student still needs to learn how deception works. There are over 1000 types of radioisotopes that can potentially be released from such a disaster -- Plutonium being the worst of all. He only assayed 3 types and now we are to believe that only those 3 radioisotopes traveled from Japan and the rest stayed home?

Posted by: Douglas Gray Location: los angeles on Apr 21, 2011 at 11:10 AM

If particles cesium are detected, they are not enough to be dangerous outside the body, but begin to damage millions of cells as soon as they get inside the body.

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