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From: carroll@uiucdcsb.CS.UIUC.EDU
Newsgroups: net.space
Subject: Re: Plutonium Burns
Message-ID: <15700062@uiucdcsb>
Date: Wed, 12-Mar-86 23:16:00 EST
Article-I.D.: uiucdcsb.15700062
Posted: Wed Mar 12 23:16:00 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 14-Mar-86 06:58:28 EST
References: <8603090607.AA19267@s1-b.arpa>
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Nf-From: uiucdcsb.CS.UIUC.EDU!carroll    Mar 12 22:16:00 1986



/* 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.