Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!mcnc!rti-sel!dg_rtp!throopw From: throopw@dg_rtp.UUCP (Wayne Throop) Newsgroups: net.politics,net.sci,net.bio Subject: Re: Plutonium Message-ID: <351@dg_rtp.UUCP> Date: Sat, 10-May-86 14:46:10 EDT Article-I.D.: dg_rtp.351 Posted: Sat May 10 14:46:10 1986 Date-Received: Mon, 12-May-86 00:19:21 EDT References: <358@drutx.UUCP> <1063@whuxl.UUCP> <2384@jhunix.UUCP> Lines: 30 Xref: linus net.politics:15045 net.sci:514 net.bio:309 > I was talking about the incredible toxicity of small amounts of plutonium. > However I also pointed out that there are one hundred thousand pounds > of it in nuclear warheads. I would not call that a "small amount". > Especially in light of its incredible toxicity. > tim sevener whuxn!orb Plutonium is not (chemically) particularly more toxic than other heavy metals. Neither is it (radioactively) particularly more toxic than some other radioisotopes. Not that it is particularly benign... far from it. But there are *many* things that are orders of magnitude more deadly. The "incredible toxicity" of plutonium is simply overrated. I do not argue that dispersal of that much plutonium into the environment would not be a Very Bad Thing. But at least some of those warheads will go off. That being the case, there will be other things far worse going on. Nor do I argue either for or against SDI. I am merely trying to clarify what risks are present in the release of that much plutonium. And I conclude that these risks are swamped by others that will necessarily accompany strategic nuclear war of any plausible flavor whatsoever. While I am disgusted as much as the next person by advertisements featuring innocent 5ish-year-old voices saying how smart daddy is, to the accompanyment of animated nuclear warheads being harmlessly popped into oblivion against a magic, vaguely defined, transparent sheild, with lovable animated tots playing below, I don't consider it worth worrying over the plutonium. Again, it is certain that there will be far, far worse things to worry about. -- Wayne Throop !mcnc!rti-sel!dg_rtp!throopw