jsdy@hadron.UUCP (Joseph S. D. Yao) (09/11/86)
Michael V. Stein wrote a rebuttal not long ago to a flame on
his breeder reactor note. His social commentary sounded quite
reasonable. However, I suggest that he may be confusing his
elements when he states that plutonium is only an alpha particle
emitter. Plutonium, Pu, element 94, is a trans-uranic element
that shares with Uranium the property that humans incorporate
it into atomic-fission bombs. For that reason, it seems reasonable
to assume that some neutron radiation is being produced. There
is probably also some alpha: a chem reference I have says that
alpha decay is a favourite of the actinides. I don't have the
table of preferred decay paths here, but suggest that netters
who really are interested hop over to their local physics libraries.
Don't forget to look up decay paths of fission products. Then,
please report back here.
This is hearsay evidence, but in all the radiation health training
I have undergone I have been assured that Plutonium is quite toxic
to humans if it gets into the body. I'm afraid I haven't bothered
to research the mechanisms of toxicity. The discussion of exactly
how toxic it is certainly poisoned net.med for a while. [;-)]
--
Joe Yao hadron!jsdy@seismo.{CSS.GOV,ARPA,UUCP}
jsdy@hadron.COM (not yet domainised)