ST401385@BROWNVM.BITNET (03/09/86)
> Mr. Pournelle is talking about plutonium OXIDE, the normal form it >is found in. Metallic plutonium is quite a bit more toxic >(as are all the heavy metals). Plutonium spontaneously burns when exposed to air. Any plutonium you'd be exposed to would be oxide. (For bombs, they plate it with a thin layer of gold to keep it from oxidizing). --Geoffrey A. Landis Random: God, I am verily weary unto death about all this flaming about "Why does everybody want to leave this planet". If you don't have anything new to say, please say nothing. Likewise toxicity of plutonium. The facts, please, if you have them. If you don't, shut up. Note to Bob: I got your message, but mail sent to your address from my address is returned as "host unknown". --GL
carroll@uiucdcsb.CS.UIUC.EDU (03/13/86)
/* Written 11:59 pm Mar 8, 1986 by ST401385@BROWNVM.BITNET in uiucdcsb:net.space */ /* ---------- "Plutonium Burns" ---------- */ > Mr. Pournelle is talking about plutonium OXIDE, the normal form it >is found in. Metallic plutonium is quite a bit more toxic >(as are all the heavy metals). Plutonium spontaneously burns when exposed to air. Any plutonium you'd be exposed to would be oxide. (For bombs, they plate it with a thin layer of gold to keep it from oxidizing). --Geoffrey A. Landis /* End of text from uiucdcsb:net.space */ (To base note): I know. That's why I put the "normal form" phrase in. Otherwise, Ie, I agree with your note.