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From: toml@druxm.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.politics,net.flame
Subject: Nuclear power reduces radioactivity
Message-ID: <831@druxm.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 19-Apr-84 22:41:22 EST
Article-I.D.: druxm.831
Posted: Thu Apr 19 22:41:22 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 21-Apr-84 01:22:52 EST
References: <2711@azure.UUCP>, <706@pyuxa.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Information Systems Laboratories, Denver
Lines: 54

One thing I haven't heard anyone mention in the debate of nuclear power
versus coal power (yes, there are other possibilities, but the ones that
have been developed have severe environmental consequences, too) is the
radioactivity of coal.  My understanding from physicists that know
better than I is that more radioactivity is released per kilowatt-hour
from a coal-fired electric plant than from a nuclear electric plant
(including the radioactive waste from the nuclear plant and the
low-grade radioactivity from mine tailings and waste from refining
nuclear fuel).  Unfortunately, I cannot give references that support
this (if I get flamed badly enough, I'll make a special effort to locate
them), but I will mention that another source shows that living in
a brick or stone house (brick and stone, like coal, are naturally
radioactive) increases your chance of dying from radiation-induced
diseases (notably cancer) by 1 part per million for every two months you
live in such a house.  Also, "Science News" (about 2 years ago -- no I
don't have the issue andymore) reported that levels of radioactive heavy
metals in the air in modern houses (involving masonry and fuel-efficient
techniques that reduced outside air infiltration) were increasing, and
were approaching the known-to-be-dangerous levels commonly found in coal
mines.

Now, the source I was able to dig up (Do you retain every interesting
article you come across?  I don't.) is from "Advice/dissent" from "The
Colorado Daily", November 11, 1980:
		"You can calculate your own exposure to radiation from
	the information table below.  The average American is exposed to
	148 millirems per year.
		"Cosmic radiation that reached the earth (44):
		"Add 1 for every 100 feet above sea level.  Denver is
	5300 ft. so add 53; coastal cities are at sea level, so add 0.
		"If your house is brick add 45; stone add 50; wood add
	35; concrete add 45.
		"Ground radiation (U.S. average -- 15).  Water, food,
	air radiation (U.S. average -- 25).  Nuclear weapons testing
	fallout (4).  If you've had a chest X-ray this year, add 9 for
	each one.  For each 1500 miles you've flown in a jet airplane
	during the year, add 1.  If you watch color TV add 0.15 for each
	hour of average daily use.  If you live one mile from a nuclear
	power plant add 0.02 for each hour you are typically at home
	during the day.  If you live over 5 miles from a nuclear plant,
	add 0.  If you sleep with your spouse add 0.1.  If you are in
	school seated by other students 6 hrs/day add 0.1."

I support research into better energy sources, and I also support
energy conservation.  (It's about 8:30pm, and I have a total of 65 Watts
of lights turned on in my house.)  I also believe we need more electric
power in the near term.  I see no available source that is more
environmentally sound than nuclear power.

		Truth is never popular...

			Tom Laidig
			AT&T Information Systems Laboratories, Denver
			...!ihnp4!druxu!tll