Re: Pu-238 Pacemakers

[Bernard L Cohen <blc+@pitt.edu>]

My information is based on the experience of my 102 year old mother who 
has been using a pace-maker for over 20 years. 
	The "regular check-ups by a specially trained staff" are conducted 
by telephone from her home in 3-4 minutes (although it does use a pouch 
containing some specialized equipment).
 Bernard L. Cohen
Physics Dept.
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Tel: (412)624-9245
Fax: (412)624-9163
e-mail: blc+@pitt.edu


On Wed, 6 Mar 1996, John Goldsmith wrote:

> Professor Cohen is still giving false information.  As a pacemaker user
> (or does one wear a  pacemaker ?)and internist :(1) most pacemakers use 
> lithium batteries, which are far from ordinary, even though not using 
> pu-238. (2) Operations for changing batteries/pacemakers are a local 
> procedure, but far from trivial. (3) Finally, while some batteries can 
> last ten years, most don't have such a long life expectancy.  Seven years 
> is often cited, but to some extent that depends on the functions which are
>  powered, and strength at which the signal is set.  Pacemaker users 
> should have regular check-ups by specially trained staff, especially as the 
> batteries get older. This is sent to all radsafe because the misinformation 
> offerred by Dr. Bernard L. Cohen may be harmful.  
> John Goldsmith, M.D., Professor of Epidemiology
>                  gjohn@bgumed,bgu.ac.il
> 
> On Tue, 5 Mar 1996, Bernard L Cohen wrote:
> 
> > 	I apologize for the false info I gave on this. Pacemakers are 
> > powered by ordinary batteries that last at least 10 years and replacing 
> > them (every 10 years) is a trivial operation. Even I, a dedicated backer 
> > of plutonium use, wouldn't recommend it for this purpose.
> > 
> > Bernard L. Cohen
> > Physics Dept.
> > University of Pittsburgh
> > Pittsburgh, PA 15260
> > Tel: (412)624-9245
> > Fax: (412)624-9163
> > e-mail: blc+@pitt.edu
> > 
> >