The US to resume production of Pu-238. Everyone on earth will die.

[NNadir]

In an article riddled with the usual distortions, some dating from the internationally known liar Ralph Nader, the New York Times is reporting that the United States will be resuming the production of Plutonium-238.

"The Bush administration is planning the government's first production of plutonium 238 since the cold war, stirring debate over the risks and benefits of the deadly material. The substance, valued as a power source, is so radioactive that a speck can cause cancer.


NASA
Plutonium 238 is used in radioisotope thermoelectric generators, which convert the heat of radioactive decay into electricity to power long-distance spacecraft. The Cassini spacecraft, shown above in an artist’s illustration, has three generators.



Up Close, a Plutonium Pellet and a Minor Slip of the Tongs (June 27, 2005) Federal officials say the program would produce a total of 330 pounds over 30 years at the Idaho National Laboratory, a sprawling site outside Idaho Falls some 100 miles to the west and upwind of Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. Officials say the program could cost $1.5 billion and generate more than 50,000 drums of hazardous and radioactive waste."

Notice the code words "deadly," and the evocation of cancer. I wrote the New York Times to ask them if they could find in their files a case of anyone being killed by "deadly" Pu-238. Let's see if they answer.

Notice that the New York Times is also remarking that the plutonium will be produced "up wind of Grand Teton Park." I assume this implies that the plutonium will all end up in Grand Teton Park, just like the coal ash and mercury that ends up there right now every day, although the New York Times seldom refers to "deadly coal."

If you want to know why the American people are so stupid, look at their media.

These are the same folks who worked themselves into a tizzy over Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction.

Let's be clear. The Bush administration is manufacturing this stuff for the wrong reason, but, that said, this is probably one of the least worrisome things these criminals have done.

[acmejack]

1. You need to talk to GPV

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3962001

[indepat]

2. The risks associated with a Repug president's policies, actions and

pre-emptive wars are indeed small when considering how much safer we have been made.

[Massacure]

3. What do you think the government is doing with this?

I figured that if PU-238 gives off .54 kilowatts of energy per kilogram it will give off 81 kilowatts of energy total. Multiplied by the efficiency of an RTG (just below 10%) that means that the government would be using it for something that is drawing about 7 or 8 kilowatts of electricity.

It isn't a lot of power if my calculations are correct. I would probably guess a space craft.

[zdv]

4. Pu

Plutonium was used to power the Cassini spacecraft which reached Saturn in 2004. There was concern during its 1997 launch that a miscue could cause the plutonium to fall back to Earth..

[jarab]

5. Welcome, zdv !

...O...

[Cicero]

6. Just so long as its not used to build...

the Illudium Pu-36 Explosive Space Modulator!!!!

Where's Marvin the Martian when you need him?



Later,