Publication Laka-library:
Plutonium for everybody (1994)
| Author | J.Gevers Leuven, A.Botzen, NVMP |
| Date | December 1994 |
| Classification | 6.01.2.55/20 (PLUTONIUM - GENERAL) |
| Remarks | Englihs version of 6.01.2.55/16 |
| Front | 
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From the publication:
Plutonium. What is it all about? a medical look at this radioactive matter Plutonium is born in every nuclear reactor. It is an artefact of the nuclear industry, a new metal akin to uranium. Plutonium promised to be a clean and powerful "medicine" against electricity- shortage and -by nuclear deterrence- a "preventive medicine" against war. But no medicine is 100% effective and no medicine is totally without side effects: plutonium has failed to prevent the many wars since 1945. And the production of electricity with plutonium is no longer considered "clean". Adverse effects of plutonium comprise its military use, or, possibly, its use by terrorists. Lung cancer due to inhalation of plutonium-dust is the threat posed by plutonium to the environment. Doctors cannot guarantee the safety of contaminated areas. The mass of plutonium is growing fast. Its use as a fuel in the electricity - generating industry (in the form of so called "MOX") is increasing, but this process creates more plutonium than it consumes. It has not been feasible to destroy plutonium up till now. It is a moral issue whether or not to leave the burden to our descendants. The authors are concerned about the health risks of plutonium. From a medical point of view it is a hygienic obligation for mankind to get rid of this metal altogether. The facts are described in an understandable way in this brochure. People have the right to know. The International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, IPPNW, is a world- wide federation of doctors and nurses. They campaign against plutonium because of its health risks. For its informative work the IPPNW received the Noble Prize for Peace in 1985.
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