<P> The americium - 241 in ionizing smoke detectors poses a potential environmental hazard , albeit a very small one . Disposal regulations and recommendations for smoke detectors vary from region to region . The amount of radioactive material contained in ionizing smoke detectors is very small and thus does n't represent a significant radiological hazard . If the americium is left in the ionization chamber of the alarm the radiological risk is insignificant because the chamber acts as a shield to the alpha radiation . A person would have to open the sealed chamber and ingest or inhale the americium for the risk to be significant . The radiation risk of exposure to an ionic smoke detector is much smaller than natural background radiation under normal operation . </P>
<P> The americium - 241 in ionizing smoke detectors poses a potential environmental hazard , albeit a very small one . Disposal regulations and recommendations for smoke detectors vary from region to region . The amount of radioactive material contained in ionizing smoke detectors is very small and thus does n't represent a significant radiological hazard . If the americium is left in the ionization chamber of the alarm the radiological risk is insignificant because the chamber acts as a shield to the alpha radiation . A person would have to open the sealed chamber and ingest or inhale the americium for the risk to be significant . The radiation risk of exposure to an ionic smoke detector is much smaller than natural background radiation under normal operation . </P>
what is the name of the source of alpha radiation in a smoke alarm
what is the name of the source of alpha radiation in a smoke alarm
americium - 241
americium - 241