Remember those multiple lead poisoning in children’s toy scares?  Remember that poison pet food scare.  The poison toothpaste?   The tainted milk…which thankfully didn’t reach our own shores (I don’t think…).

Well prepare to become afraid of anything made of steel…

Finds of Radioactive Steel on the Rise in Germany

An internal memo in the Environment Ministry that was sent to Germany’s states on Feb. 6 listed 15 "incidents of contaminated steel," in 12 states. The list included radioactive bars, steel cables, chippings and valve housings. The list of findings has since risen to 19.

Since last August, a total of 150 tons of contaminated metal has been seized…

The situation is a novelty in Germany. Never before have officials had to deal with so much radioactive material in transit. Last week, Gabriel announced soberly that "radioactive steel products had been found in several federal states." Internally, though, his ministry officials have described the situation as dramatic. The problem is said to have "huge dimensions," according to sources.

Some of the metal had so far exceeded the limit of 10 becquerel per gram that it had to be confiscated immediately…

More than 500 elevator buttons, which came to Berlin from France, showed radioactivity levels of 270 becquerel per gram. The buttons have since been replaced. A component found at a company in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and tested on Jan. 19 radiated an astounding 600 becquerel per gram.

The scare in Germany is being traced to three steel processing plants in India.  How the radioactive material is getting into the steel is a mystery at the moment.  The suspicion is that it may be medical or other radio active waste that is being carelessly recycled.  There’s a lot to be said in favor of global trade.  But when you are trading with nations whose environmental, employee and consumer protections are little to none, you need to be aware that cheaper isn’t always…well…cheaper…

German companies now worry that the contamination could have costly consequences. They are concerned that they might lose customers were they to deliver contaminated stainless steel. In addition, the costs of safe disposal could be as high as thousands of euros per ton of metal.

I’m assuming they built my Mercedes from steel made in Germany, but my first reflex was to go get a giger counter.  Then I thought…I’ve been driving it for over a year now, so I’m probably fucked anyway.  And a radioactive Mercedes-Benz would go nicely with my radioactive Fiestaware.