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09 February 2012

Answer to Question #4029 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Radioactive Waste Disposal — Disposal

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

How would you dispose of ⁴⁰K? Does it harm the human body? What is it used for? Does it play a part in nuclear devices?

Potassium-40 (⁴⁰K) is a naturally occurring constituent of potassium; it has a natural abundance of 0.0117% of potassium. As such, there is no need to dispose of ⁴⁰K, nor does it play a part in nuclear devices. For additional information on naturally occurring radioactivity, please see the Ask the Experts section on Environmental and Background Radiation.

Eric W. Abelquist, PhD, CHP

Answer posted on 27 October 2004. The information and material posted on this website is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Website. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.