The term given to any kind of object or component containing radioactive material that was once part of medical equipment (radiotherapy machine), a scientific research instrument or bacterial irradiation device. Usually found in capsule form. Very dangerous as people may not know what it is and end up exposing themselves and others to the radioactive material within.
The Goiânia incident and lia radiological incident are classic examples of finding an orphan source and not knowing the dangers. In the lia incident, people found a metal cylinder that was emitting heat and slept beside it to keep warm, not knowing they were bathing themselves in deadly radiation. Don’t look it up as the photos showing the effects of the radiation are quite gruesome. Other examples are radioisotope thermoelectric generators left over from the soviet era that power lighthouses and navigation beacons. People have been known to break open the capsule to steal any metals worth selling and just leaving the broken capsule leaking radioactive material.
by smoking & vaping is for losers June 23, 2025
Get the orphan source mug.A theoretical device referenced when someone performs an act of generosity of kindness that is only possible because a horrible system has been normalized. Usually seen in "feel good" stories in the news where a child sells a collection so they can afford cancer treatment or a military veteran receives a prosthesis because of a GoFundMe.
Local man saves 500 orphans from the orphan crushing machine!
That's great news! Wait... why is there a machine that crushes orphans?
That's great news! Wait... why is there a machine that crushes orphans?
by v022 December 5, 2025
Get the orphan crushing machine mug.The term given to any instrument, vessel or dial containing radioactive material that belongs to scientific, industrial, commercial, domestic or medical equipment.
An example of an orphan source would be the chamber containing the radioactive source inside a smoke detector that became separate from the rest of the detector. Loads of incidents where people discovering orphan sources have happened, such as 3 men in a snowy Georgian forest finding two large metal cylinders that were emitting heat and had melted the snow around them. The men decided to use them to stay warm not knowing what they were and suffered radiation poisoning.
by smoking & vaping is for losers March 13, 2025
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Emily whom got left for 52 minutes on the side of the road because she was forgotten by her grandparents. Please pray for her and her little orphan life 🏡❌
by Beau-is-cool June 7, 2023
Get the Orphan Emily mug.A term sometimes used humorously or creatively as a name for a fictional cocktail. In popular culture, "Orphan tears" may refer to a made-up drink with a whimsical or dark connotation.
by Spaziergang entlang der Donau June 21, 2023
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