Re: I want to speak up

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

The statement that on gram of plutonium can wipe out a whole city is true
only in the sense that one gallon of water can do the same by having each
citizen drown in it one at a time. If one gram of plutonium is released
into a city in the most effective way for doing harm, the number of deaths
expected has been shown to be zero, with very high probability.
(References can be given for this).
	With regard to the other statements, the short reply is that
detailed scientific risk analyses of each of these problems shows that the
nuclear alternative is very much less harmful to human health than any
other technology for generating electricity. 

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 Fri, 3 Jan 1997, Lamothe, Emelie wrote:

> OK gang, time for me to speak up, in writing, to one of the local
> "newspapers" (if I can use the word).  The problem is that my words get
> jumbled.  Here are selected parts of the the  "shock and appalled"
> letter to the editor that I feel must be rebutted.  Please, no flames or
> outrage reactions.  I need clear, sharp and short arguments.
> 
> Thanks.
> 
> Emelie Lamothe
> 
> 
> Letter to the editor text - verbatim
> 
> Uranium mining:
> The wastes from uranium mining (tailings) emit radioactive gases which
> are carried great distances by the wind;  these tailings pollute
> groundwater, streams, and lakes with toxic chemicals.  At Elliot Lake
> alone, there are 4, 400, 000 cubic metres of tailings near the mines
> which will remain hazardous for centuries.
> 
> Uranium refining:
> Not only are refinerey workers exposed to radiation but they aare also
> exposed to toxic chemicals used in processing the uranium.
> 
> Reactor operations:
> About 70 per cent of the heat generated in a reactor is absorbed as
> waste heat in the adjacent body of water, creating thermal pollution.
> Plus routine emissions of radioactive particles into air and water.
> 
> High level waste management:
> There is no known scientific method of either dispersing or neutralizing
> the deadly effect of this waste.
> 
> Question to the Minister of Parliament
> 
> .. how can you announce [ed.  your government will move nuclear waste
> from one part of the province to another]thereby subjecting all your
> constituents to a deadly legacy of land and water pollution?
> 
> And now your grovenment proudly announces that Canada is planning to
> burn weapons' grade plutonium from the USA and Russian in its reactors.
> Have you or your government told the public that plutonium remains
> deadly for a quarter of a billion years?
> 
> Have you told your constituents that the transportation of plutonium is
> extremely hazardous?
> 
> Have you told us that one gram of plutonium can wipe out an entire city?
> 
> Please do not insult us fruther by assuming that we will trade the
> health of our land, our water, our air and our future generations for
> job security and money.
> 
> etc.
> 
>