NetNews Usenet Archive 1993 #3/NN_1993_3.iso/spool/sci/environm/14809

Internet Message Format | 1993-01-25 | 3.0 KB

Path: sparky!uunet!news.claremont.edu!nntp-server.caltech.edu!SOL1.GPS.CALTECH.EDU!CARL
From: [e-mail] (Carl J Lydick)
Newsgroups: sci.environment
Subject: Re: Greenpeace press releases -- fact or fiction?
Date: 25 Jan 1993 08:01:06 GMT
Organization: HST Wide Field/Planetary Camera
Lines: 45
Distribution: world
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
References: <[e-mail]> <[e-mail]> <[e-mail]>,<[e-mail]>
Reply-To: [e-mail]
NNTP-Posting-Host: sol1.gps.caltech.edu

In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (victor yodaiken) writes:
=In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Michael Moroney) writes:
=>[e-mail] (Tino) writes:
=>
=>>In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Cameron L. Spitzer) writes:
=>>>The scandal is that plutonium was released at all, not in what
=>>>concentration it was released.  It shows the plant is not being
=>>>operated responsibly.
=>
=>>Every time a neutron hits a U-238 atom (occurs naturally, from a few ppm in
=>>seawater to many percent in ore) and is absorbed, a U-239 atom results, which
=>>kicks off a beta to get to Np-239, and another one to become Pu-239, the
=>>Great Satan (tm).
=>
=>Also, there were several tons of plutonium released into the environment
=>over the course of atmospheric atomic weapons testing by the US, USSR and
=>the others.  This is still in the environment.  So, while Greenpeace
=>can rightly be upset that this plutonium got into the environment,
=>they can't say that finding a tiny trace of plutonium is proof of
=>Sellafield's lax operation.
=
=Since Sellafield is acknowledged to be pumping Pu into the Irish sea,
=on purpose, and since the British government has had to actually move
=some beaches near Sellafield, and since there was a major fire at
=Sellafield in the 1950's, we know that "tiny trace" quantities are not
=as issue here.

Then, Yackadamn, perhaps you would explain to us why GeeenHype (and *YOU*
are so reticent about mentioning the actual quantities?  When Jym posted the
propaganda, there were repeated requests for info on the quantities.  Jym's
only response was "Any at all is too much" or something to that effect.  You
were silent.

So, shit-head, what quantities are we talking about here?  Or are you one of
the many, who when it comes to counting plutonium atoms, uses a number system
that works like:
    One, two, three,  MANY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carl J Lydick | INTERnet: [e-mail] | NSI/HEPnet: SOL1::CARL

Disclaimer:  Hey, I understand VAXen and VMS.  That's what I get paid for.  My
understanding of astronomy is purely at the amateur level (or below).  So
unless what I'm saying is directly related to VAX/VMS, don't hold me or my
organization responsible for it.  If it IS related to VAX/VMS, you can try to
hold me responsible for it, but my organization had nothing to do with it.