Nuclear weapons, hazards

Pu (86 years) is formed from Np. Pu is separated by selective oxidation and solvent extraction. The metal is formed by reduction of PuF with calcium there are six crystal forms. Pu is used in nuclear weapons and reactors Pu is used as a nuclear power source (e.g. in space exploration). The ionizing radiation of plutonium can be a health hazard if the material is inhaled. 

Hazards Ahead Managing Cleanup Worker Health and Safety at the Nuclear Weapons Complex. U.S. Congress Office of Technology Assessment. Washington, DC U.S. Government Printing Office, 1993, pp. 3, 13. 

The radiation hazard associated with fallout from nuclear weapons testing arises from radioactive isotopes such as these. One of the most dangerous is strontium-90. In the form of strontium carbonate, SrC03, it is incorporated into the bones of animals and human beings, where it remains far a lifetime. 

The nuclear dilemma results partly from the devastating power of nuclear weapons. Equally troublesome are the health hazards associated with the radioactive products of nuclear reactions. These hazards include genetic effects, cancer, and other illnesses that can be fatal. Unfortunately, there is no known way to make radioactive... 

Airborne poisons in the nuclear weapons progam were not limited to radioactive materials released from weapons. The weapons technology involved the use of many exotic materials, some of which were toxic (e.g., beryllium). Hazardous releases of these materials occurred in industrial settings in urban areas and were studied by the Atomic Energy Commission as occupational and public health problems. 

This section describes what happens to the local environment after the detonation of a nuclear weapon. Because it is only a summary, readers are encouraged to seek detailed information from libraries and the Internet on issues such as the workings of nuclear weapons and the technical aspects of radiation exposure. The following discussion is based on Management of Terrorist Events Involving Radioactive Materials, NRCP Report 1381 and Radioactive Hazards in Survival Planning.2... 

Humans are exposed to radiation from the testing and explosion of nuclear weapons and the wastes of nuclear reactors and power plants. Strontium-90 is a fission product from nuclear reactors. It is of particular concern because it has a long half-life of 38 years and becomes concentrated in the food chain, particularly plants-to-milk. The ban on atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons has reduced this hazard. Strontium-90 does have some industrial uses. Most people in developed countries receive minor exposure to radiation through medical procedures such as X-ray and various treatments for some diseases. 

Americans used TNT, RDX and HMX for nuclear weapons in the initial years but their use posed additional hazard of aerosolized-plutonium dispersal. The scattering of this long-lived isotope poses a great danger to human life as well as... 

Spent fuel from a reactor contains unused uranium as well as plutonium-239 which has been created by bombardment of neutrons during the fission process. Mixed with these useful materials are other highly radioactive and hazardous fission products, such as cesium-137 and strontium-90. Since reprocessed fuels contain plutonium, well suited for making nuclear weapons, concern has been expressed over the possible capture of some of this material by agents or terrorists operating on behalf of unfriendly governments that do not have a nuclear weapons capability. 

The anthropogenic radionuclides of most concern are those produced as fission products from nuclear weapons and nuclear reactors. The most devastating release from the latter source to date resulted from the April 26, 1986, explosion, partial meltdown of the reactor core, and breach of confinement structures by a power reactor at Chernobyl in the Ukraine. This disaster released 5 x 107 Ci of radionuclides from the site, which contaminated large areas of Soviet Ukraine and Byelorussia, as well as areas of Scandinavia, Italy, France, Poland, Turkey, and Greece. Radioactive fission products that are the same or similar to elements involved in life processes can be particularly hazardous. One of these is radioactive iodine, which tends to accumulate in the thyroid gland, which may develop cancer or otherwise be damaged as a result. Radioactive cesium exists as the Cs+ ion and is similar to sodium and potassium in its physiological behavior. Radioactive strontium forms the Sr2+ ion and substitutes for Ca2+, especially in bone. 

During the 1950s, Patey became concerned about the health hazards of the testing of nuclear weapons in the atmosphere. In addition to speaking at meetings, in 1957 Patey edited the book, Fall Out Radiation Hazards from Nuclear Explosions, 108 a compilation of contributions from nine scientists across a range of disciplines, which became an authoritative source on the subject. Patey died on 11 October 1991 at Oxford. 

Plutonium represents a dual challenge because it is a valuable energy source and a matter of global concern because of its potential health hazards and possible use for the production of nuclear weapons. 

Throughout the 1960s, the scientific information movement brought a public health perspective to environmental problems - human-centered, prevention-oriented, espousing population-scale interventions by the state (a ban on above-ground testing of nuclear weapons, e.g., to eliminate radioactive fallout), with no reluctance to consider the hazards of the workplace and urban environments. Here we find the beginnings of the modern environmental movement. 

Strontium is a naturally occurring element found in rocks, soil, dust, coal, and oil. Naturally occurring strontium is not radioactive and is referred to as stable strontium. Stable strontium in the environment exists in four stable isotopes, " Sr (read as strontium 84), Sr, Sr, and Sr. Twelve other unstable isotopes are known to exist. Its radioactive isotopes are Sr and °Sr. Strontium is chemically similar to calcium. It was discovered in 1790. The isotope Sr is a highly radioactive poison, and was present in fallout from atmospheric nuclear explosions and is created in nuclear reactors. Atmospheric tests of nuclear weapons in the 1950s resulted in deposits and contaminations. °Sr has a half-life of 28 years and is a high-energy beta emitter. Its common cationic salts are water soluble it forms chelates with compounds such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid strontium coordination compounds are not common. Powdered metallic strontium may constitute an explosion hazard when exposed to flame. 

The real threat to the survival of the nation and its people is the combination of chemical, biological, and radiological warfare agents used in a way which will complement one another. Chemical and biological warfare can be used in conjunction with radiological warfare. They can be used prior to or after the use of nuclear weapons and delivered by covert or by overt means—that is, by ordinary airplane, missile, or sabotage. Therefore, the individual protection developments must be capable of use, if possible, against all three hazards. 

Specific information on the exposure of children to radiostrontium is limited. As for adults in the general population, small exposures occur from normal ingestion of food and drinking water and inhaling air. These exposures may be higher in areas near nuclear fuel processing sites and hazardous waste sites containing radiostrontium. Future accidental exposures could potentially occur from nuclear weapons detonation and consequent contamination of air, water, and food. 

The US Army conducts operations in areas where potential adversaries could use NBC weapons. These weapons range from a megaton nuclear weapon used to destroy an entire city to a barrel of industrial chemicals used to contaminate an important road intersection. In addition to their destructive power, NBC weapons have political, psychological, operational, and strategic impact. The use of passive measures such as proactive NBC defense procedures is a potential tool to reduce the threat of NBC weapons. In the event of the use of NBC weapons, the medical personnel must be prepared to provide a variety of services including medical treatment, site hazard surveys, and medical hazard assessments. 

Radiological hazards Nuclear power plants and refinery sites, nuclear weapons plants, storage areas, hospitals, Universities and colleges... 

C. Food harvested from an area that is contaminated by radiation may present a hazard. Meats and milk are the most vulnerable products because of the possibility for concentrations of radioactive isotopes (strontium, cesium, and iodine). All unpackaged and uncovered food, such as vegetables, fruits, and carcass meats, should be considered contaminated if obtained from a known area of contamination. If food supplies are critically low, the contaminated supplies may have to be consumed. In this event, it may be advisable to dilute the contaminated food by mixing with uncontaminated food. For more information, see page 1-34 of Effects of Nuclear Weapons and Directed Energy on Military Operations published by the AMEDD Center and School. 

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