RE: Russian space probe hysteria!

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

> 
> There are 90 (or so) elements that are either naturally occuring or
> artificial with half-lives that allow them still to be present when you get
> back from lunch.  For Pu to be one of the most (maybe in the top 10%)
> dangerous, there have to be 8 other elements that are more dangerous --
> which term, in itself, may need qualification.  Let's say toxic and/or
> carcinogenic by inhalation, gram for gram.  I can't think of more than three
> or four that might even be in the running.

--A gram of any radioactive material with a short half life would be more
dangerous than a gram of Pu-238
			-Bernie Cohen