[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
RE: A quote from Greenpeace Australia
Well, in its own way, it's comparing two different things. The MOX fuel is
inside the container; while the outside temps might reach 800º C., that
doesn't mean the temp inside the container will reach that. Think of a
fire-resistant file cabinet, designed to keep the papers inside below
ignition temperature.
I have no comment on the "worldwide statistics the average fire on ships
burn for 23 hours at higher temperatures." Just some questions, though:
Where do those numbers come from? And is that the average of ALL ships? What
about the average for ships of the type carrying the MOX cargo?
I wonder whether the IMO (International Maritime Organization) has or keeps
those kinds of numbers?
I have very little direct experience with cargo vessels, but that's what
comes to my mind.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Capt. Bruce Bugg
Hazardous Materials Specialist - Enforcement Officer
Georgia Public Service Commission
1007 Virginia Avenue, Suite 310
Hapeville, GA 30354-1325
voice: 404.559.6627
fax: 404.559.4972
e-mail: bruceb@psc.state.ga.us
or: 75720.1177@compuserve.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Ivor Surveyor [mailto:isurveyor@vianet.net.au]
Sent: Sunday, February 18, 2001 00:06
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: A quote from Greenpeace Australia
--=====================_2411217==_.ALT
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"; format=flowed
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
To Radsafe:
The following statement was copied from the GREENPEACE AUSTRALIAN site.
"Plutonium is one of the most radiotoxic materials known. An accident=20
involving the release of even a small fraction of the plutonium contained=20
in one of these shipments could have a devastating impact on the region=92s=
=20
environment and public health.
Inhalation a small speck of plutonium can cause fatal lung cancer. It can=20
also cause serious cross-generational effects in human and other biological=
=20
communities. With a radioactive half-life of 24,000 years, once in the=20
environment, for all practical purposes, it remains deadly forever.
Accidents happen =96 the containers for the plutonium fuel are only tested=
to=20
a fire of 800 degrees centigrade for 30 minutes. According to worldwide=20
statistics the average fire on ships burn for 23 hours at higher=20
temperatures. Tests on plutonium MOX fuel has shown that it will start to=20
break down within 15 minutes in temperatures of only 430 degrees=20
centigrade. Once this happens, breathable particles of plutonium can escape=
=20
into the air, posing a serious health risk to all life.
Australian nuclear transports"
My question to radsafe is this: Is Greenpeace correct in it claim=20
about containers used in the shipment of MOX fuel? Are these containers=
=20
a potential risk in the case of a fire aboard ship?
Ivor Surveyor [isurveyor@vianet.net.au]
Emeritus Consultant Physician
Nuclear Medicine
Royal Perth Hospital=20
--=====================_2411217==_.ALT
Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
<html>
To Radsafe:<br>
<br>
<br>
The following statement was copied from the GREENPEACE AUSTRALIAN
site.<br>
<br>
"Plutonium is one of the most radiotoxic materials known. An
accident involving the release of even a small fraction of the plutonium
contained in one of these shipments could have a devastating impact on
the region=92s environment and public health.<br>
Inhalation a small speck of plutonium can cause fatal lung cancer. It can
also cause serious cross-generational effects in human and other
biological communities. With a radioactive half-life of 24,000 years,
once in the environment, for all practical purposes, it remains deadly
forever.<br>
<b>Accidents happen =96 the containers for the plutonium fuel are only
tested to a fire of 800 degrees centigrade for 30 minutes. According to
worldwide statistics the average fire on ships burn for 23 hours at
higher temperatures. Tests on plutonium MOX fuel has shown that it will
start to break down within 15 minutes in temperatures of only 430 degrees
centigrade. Once this happens, breathable particles of plutonium can
escape into the air, posing a serious health risk to all life. <br>
<font size=3D4>Australian nuclear transports"<br>
<br>
<br>
</b></font><font size=3D2>My question to radsafe is
this: Is Greenpeace correct in it claim about
containers used in the shipment of MOX fuel? Are these
containers a potential risk in the case of a fire aboard ship?<br>
</font><br>
<div>Ivor Surveyor [isurveyor@vianet.net.au]</div>
<div>Emeritus Consultant Physician</div>
<div>Nuclear Medicine</div>
Royal Perth Hospital
</html>
--=====================_2411217==_.ALT--
************************************************************************
The RADSAFE Frequently Asked Questions list, archives and subscription
information can be accessed at http://www.ehs.uiuc.edu/~rad/radsafe.html
************************************************************************
The RADSAFE Frequently Asked Questions list, archives and subscription
information can be accessed at http://www.ehs.uiuc.edu/~rad/radsafe.html