NationStates Jolt Archive


Several hundred villagers sick after being exposed to meteorite site

Aerion
22-09-2007, 00:10
According to the news reports, a meteorite landed in Peru or what is thought to be a meteorite. It left a 100 ft wide crater and those who went to investigate the site fell ill including the police. Reactions including nausea, vomiting, etc.

It is thought though that the fumes released by the meteorite melting with the terrain caused the feeling of sickness. I thought at first maybe radiation.

That leaves open to possibility, I have read microbes could freeze and travel on a meteorite. I wonder if a meteorite could bring sickness?
Katganistan
22-09-2007, 01:27
http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5hqpi6-zWWZKms6q4XuXwI2_S33XQ
http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/peru-meteor-illness-deepens/2007/09/18/1189881490291.html

Links to the story are useful.
Glorious Alpha Complex
22-09-2007, 01:30
According to the news reports, a meteorite landed in Peru or what is thought to be a meteorite. It left a 100 ft wide crater and those who went to investigate the site fell ill including the police. Reactions including nausea, vomiting, etc.

It is thought though that the fumes released by the meteorite melting with the terrain caused the feeling of sickness. I thought at first maybe radiation.

That leaves open to possibility, I have read microbes could freeze and travel on a meteorite. I wonder if a meteorite could bring sickness?

It's probably just got some plutonium or something in it. Otherwise, there are plenty of elements and simple molecules that could cause those symptoms. But the smart money's on radiation, I'd say.
Kyronea
22-09-2007, 01:35
It's probably just got some plutonium or something in it. Otherwise, there are plenty of elements and simple molecules that could cause those symptoms. But the smart money's on radiation, I'd say.

No, it wouldn't be plutonium, seeing as how plutonium is an artifiicially created element made from uranium, a naturally occurring element.

And my money is on sulfur dioxide released from nearby vents rather than the meteorite itself. Possibly the meteorite landed with enough force to open up those vents. Radiation is not all that likely, given the symptoms expressed.
Khadgar
22-09-2007, 02:50
This is at least the fifth thread on this topic.
Kyronea
22-09-2007, 03:07
This is at least the fifth thread on this topic.

Sixth, actually. It's really getting nuts. If I see one more thread on it, I'm going to go INVENT the damned Andromeda Strain and threaten to release it on whoever posts the seventh thread.
Smunkeeville
22-09-2007, 03:09
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Andromeda_Strain

I keep reading the news story and I am like "didn't I read a book about that once?" :p
Katganistan
22-09-2007, 03:38
Huh. I looked through the first and second pages of posts after you guys mentioned this has been done before, but didn't see it... the other threads must have sunk.
Smunkeeville
22-09-2007, 03:47
Huh. I looked through the first and second pages of posts after you guys mentioned this has been done before, but didn't see it... the other threads must have sunk.

I have seen them......like yesterday, not today, but I haven't been home today so meh. also *sends you a TG*
New Manvir
22-09-2007, 03:53
OMG THE MOVIES ARE COMING TO LIFE!!!!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Invasion_%28film%29

JUMANJI!!!!
Kyronea
22-09-2007, 04:01
Huh. I looked through the first and second pages of posts after you guys mentioned this has been done before, but didn't see it... the other threads must have sunk.

All of those threads are at least a few days old, with one being possibly a week old. This subject just keeps coming up.