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Answer to Question #946 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"Category: Consumer Products — Smoke Detectors The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field: Q
On my commute I ran over and crushed a smoke detector that was in the roadway with construction debris. I am concerned about the americium—did it contaminate my vehicle?
A
The construction of smoke detectors varies somewhat by manufacturer, but the typical construction involves a metallic foil "sandwich" with 241Am (usually 1 microcurie or less) between the layers. This foil is then attached to a holder, which is fastened inside a metallic chamber, which is itself contained within the plastic case of the device. Therefore, although smoke can penetrate to the inner chamber of the device where it can be detected, there are also physical barriers (i.e., the metallic chamber and the plastic case) to minimize human contact with the foil.
Running over the detector would most likely crush the plastic case of the smoke detector and might even crush the inner chamber. However, the foil would remain within the device instead of somehow escaping from these barriers to come into contact with your vehicle. Therefore, based on the information given, it is very unlikely that your vehicle is contaminated with any 241Am. As a side note, while smoke detectors can be disposed in a landfill, they can also be returned to the manufacturer for disposal. Philip C. Fulmer, Ph.D., CHP
Answer posted on May 30, 2001. The information and material posted on this Web site 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 Web site. 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.
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