RE: Comments on the West Wing episode

["Ted Rockwell" <tedrock@CPCUG.ORG>]

> the real issue I see in some of this debate, is whether you are

implying categorically that under no circumstance, can there ever be

an accident involving transportation of nuclear materials, of any

kind, where there will be any adverse consequences.



Sandy et al.:



I won't speak for Ruth or anyone else.  But yes, I maintain that it is

physically impossible for a shipping cask with several years cooling to be

mishandled in any credible way, so as to disperse sufficient quantities of

fission products in respirable or ingestible form, over sufficient distance

to create a significant health problem for a significant number of people.

(I discount rampant panic, because that would be preventable if we tell

people the truth about the situation.)



I'd be interested in knowing how many agree with me on this one point.  And

for those who believe that there is a credible scenario that could in fact

create a significant public health problem, I would appreciate learning how

that could be done.



I post that challenge, not in any belligerent or provocative way, but among

friendly colleagues.  I'd really like to know.  I'll say in advance that if

injury requires someone to stand around the scene for days, or if injury is

predicated on adding up trivial doses for a large population and applying

LNT, then I don't count that as a realistic terrorist goal.



I really do want to know what people think about this, and what they base

their conclusions on.



Ted Rockwell





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