if every bit of steel produced since 1945 contains radioactive isotopes, is that eventually going to bite us in the ass? Are there long term consequences of not being able to use modern steel for certain products?

Question

if every bit of steel produced since 1945 contains radioactive isotopes, is that eventually going to bite us in the ass? Are there long term consequences of not being able to use modern steel for certain products?

In: Technology

Answer 1

1) Steel is recyclable. We can reuse old steel from before 1945 again and again.

2) The producers of products that require low background steel are not massive consumers of steel, so our current supplies of low background steel are more than enough for the foreseeable future

3) We can make low background steel. It’s just cheaper to use option 1

4) Background radiation levels are dropping. In the very long term, it stops mattering.