.. It also offers a potentially safer radiation environment than metal
structures, which can produce body-piercing secondary heavy particles
during solar storms and other cosmic radiation events... ??
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/17/uk-spacestation-habitat-idUSLNE90G00S20130117

Selvaraj

From: sraj

> .. It also offers a potentially safer radiation environment than metal
> structures, which can produce body-piercing secondary heavy particles
> during solar storms and other cosmic radiation events... ??

Yes, it might seem counter-intuitive, but when it comes to things like solar protons, too little radiation shielding is actually worse than no shielding at all. With no shielding, a particle (called a primary) might pass completely through and leave relatively little damage behind. An inadequate shield might intercept the particle, and cause it to give rise to a burst of numerous secondary particles, any of which might do damage to an occupant.

Regards,

Mike Combs