Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!caip!topaz!uwvax!husc6!harvard!panda!genrad!decvax!tektronix!tekgen!tekred!joels
From: joels@tekred.UUCP (Joel Swank)
Newsgroups: net.sci
Subject: effects of pollution
Message-ID: <653@tekred.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 1-Aug-86 13:54:20 EDT
Article-I.D.: tekred.653
Posted: Fri Aug  1 13:54:20 1986
Date-Received: Sun, 3-Aug-86 02:13:25 EDT
Organization: Tektronix, Inc., Beaverton, OR
Lines: 29
Keywords: nuclear, fossil

I think one of the most important differences between the effects of
nuclear and chemical power generation has been overlooked. The effects
of a nuclear accident, either reactor failure or waste spill is
localized. It is very bad for those close to it, but has almost no
effect on those farther away (statistical increase in chance of disease). 
Human effects can be avoided by evacuation. Though the pollutants are 
very toxic, the quantities are small. The effect on the environment is 
small.  Cleanup, though expensive, can be done. The pollution occurs 
only in the unusual case of the worst type of accident. No pollution is 
generated during normal operation.
  Energy generation from fossil fuels generates gigantic quantitys of
pollutants that are dispersed throughout the environment. They affect
the whole world and everyone in it. They are part of the atmosphere,
the ocean, the soil, the plants and the animals. These materials are
not very toxic compared to nuclear waste, but they are toxic. We can
see their effects in dead lakes and dying forests. We have little idea
exactly what the overall effects will be, and there is nothing we can
do to reverse them ( that is remove the pollutants). These pollutants 
are generated, not in the case of an unusual accident, but every hour 
of every day.
   The effects of fossil fuel pollution are potentially much greater
than those of nuclear (except for WAR, of course) pollution. We may
even be on the verge of the next "great extinction". Don't worry though,
Nature is resilient and will recover from the worst we can do. Evolution
will create replacements for all the species we destroy. In a million
or two years there will be no evidence that humanity ever existed.

Joel Swank
Tektronix, Redmond, Oregon