i heard a rumour about radioactive dust in black rock playa

QuetzalC0at1 · Post by **QuetzalC0at1** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 1:45 am

what's the deal? is all the dust in the area radioactive? :(

and if so, :?:
will this affect the humans who go there?? :twisted:

Sensei · Post by **Sensei** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 2:27 am

I heard a rumor about your mama but I won't repeat it here.

You're welcome.

Sensei · Post by **Sensei** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 2:43 am

Seriously though, the only 'radioactivity' you need to worry about is BMIR (BurningMan Information Radio) at 94.5 on your FM dial. They say 'fuck' a lot.

btw - Sorry about your playa name.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 4:45 am

there's a thread, addressing this in detail. Sorry, I forget the name, but, I do remember a fellow asking about lung damage etc relating to attendance.
maybe someone else can remember it, or, a search may turn it up.

reference was made to the prevailing winds from early times nuclear tests, low pressure and rain deposition. Some by me. Also, to the naturally occurring radioactivity, and, free silica and other minerals.

good luck with that.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 8:56 am

Typing "Black Rock Desert Radioactive" into Google did produce hits, but in the "these were on the same webpage, but not connected" way. There is some trace radioactivity in the Gerlach water supply, but not enough to cause observable harm in the people who drink it year round for many years.

You will learn to be skeptical about the rumors you hear about the playa.

dr.placebo · Post by **dr.placebo** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 10:36 am

theCryptofishist wrote:You will learn to be skeptical about the rumors you hear about the playa.

Or not.

Boijoy · Post by **Boijoy** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:23 pm

ohhhhhhh there are SO many other ways to damage yourself on the playa! I think I would worry about radioactivity last.
Just remember the cheap sunglasses & you will be fine.

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 4:33 pm

Oh, can you feel the love tonight?

geospyder · Post by **geospyder** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 4:45 pm

Ugly Dougly wrote:Oh, can you feel the love tonight?

Be careful, you might get hurt.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 7:16 pm

They solved the issue of Denver being too radioactive for human beings by raising the safe limit.

Nevada may be a tad radioactive from the open air nuclear reactions and experimental releases of radioactive iodine.

But I'm sure the government wouldn't lie to us, the people of radioland.

pinemom · Post by **pinemom** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 7:46 am

Oh Gawd, DONT GO!! EEEK Radioactivity.....

hehehe oh ya....you think if I breath deeper out there I might turn into a giant human glow stick!!!!???

pinemom · Post by **pinemom** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 7:47 am

I AM NOT MOOP!

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 9:30 am

Nor are your multi-headed spoor.

flatlander13 · Post by **flatlander13** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 9:54 am

Youâ€™re in Americaâ€¦..the food, water, land and dust is should kill you.
Anywayâ€¦â€¦.youâ€™ve got to die of something.

zachass · Post by **zachass** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 10:32 am

Myth: Playa dust is radioactive, thus killing brain cells.

Truth: Playa dust contains lysergic acid diethylamide, thus killing brain cells.

Playa Tom · Post by **Playa Tom** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 8:12 pm

Of course the playa is radioactive and filled with deadly poisons, why else would the government let us go there and have a big party. They are secretly trying to exterminate us.

justfred · Post by **justfred** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 8:27 pm

It's not radioactivity you need to worry about, it's anthrax.

"Anthrax kills 30 cows near Gerlach"
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/ ... 90113.html

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 8:54 pm

justfred wrote:It's not radioactivity you need to worry about, it's anthrax.

"Anthrax kills 30 cows near Gerlach"
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/ ... 90113.html

not again......

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 8:59 pm

*"Whoosh!" as the joke goes right over Fishy's head*

zachass · Post by **zachass** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 10:10 pm

Oldguy · Post by **Oldguy** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 1:04 am

Time, distance, shielding... Just wear your lead x-ray suit and you should be OK. Potassium iodide pills are available at the Empire Store, I think. They might have run out last Burningman. If so, they might have some PBR and calendars left. KI pills go down well with PBR.

If you're looking for radioactive material for your flux capacitors or German designed earth generators just go across the stateline to Herlong, California. I believe that the lead lined refrigerator that Professor Jones experimented with is still there. All those jeeps and pink flamingos are there too. Just tell the rent-a-cops that the oldguy that lives in the desert sent you...They might even set you up with free room and board for a few days.

Playa Tom · Post by **Playa Tom** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 8:53 pm

If you are concerned about radioactivity just stay away from Camp Plutonium and you'll be fine.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 9:17 pm

At least they quit using depleted luminous material to enhance the burn.

At least that's what they tell people now...

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 9:19 pm

Playa Tom wrote:If you are concerned about radioactivity just stay away from Camp Plutonium and you'll be fine.

yeah, but then, we'll lose that "glow in the dark" smile, like the Cheshire cat in the dark..........

funny how after leaving that camp, I feel all "tingly".........

Simon of the Playa · Post by **Simon of the Playa** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 7:38 am

shut the fuck up and drink your goddamn radioactive kool-aid!!!

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 7:42 am

yes Mr. Jones...........

dragonfly Jafe · Post by **dragonfly Jafe** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 8:22 am

rest assured you will be bathed in many forms of radiation, day and night, if you enter Black Rock City...

Marscrumbs · Post by **Marscrumbs** » Thu Jan 14, 2010 12:58 pm

I usually bring my geiger counter and haven't found any high levels yet. I think the hot dust from the test site blow toward Las Vegas. Greater dangers are from falling meteorites. More meteorites are found every year on Nevada playas.

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Thu Jan 14, 2010 1:04 pm

When the Man finally burns, please remove your dustmask and breath in deeply.
Your cooperation is appreciated.

bobotinks · Post by **bobotinks** » Thu Jan 14, 2010 8:07 pm

That would be great man! I hope I come back like Radioactive man from the simpsons!"