Visualized Radiation

Potassium-40 contained in foods emits β-particles and γ-rays.

The distribution of potassium can be found by using an imaging plate and detecting β-particles from Potassium-40.

The above image was obtained by placing pieces of pork meat, banana and ginger on an imaging plate and exposing for 25 days while shielding external radiation. The protein part of the pork meat, the peel of the banana, and the buds of the ginger contain relatively large amounts of potassium. It can be seen that the fat portion of the pork meat contains little potassium.

• Included in this reference material on March 31, 2013
• Updated on March 31, 2015