Robin wrote:
<<..Well maybe not quite. The problem with this is that the general public
only
understands one kind of nuclear. I'm afraid that educating them in the
subtleties is going to take a while.>>
Do we know what, if any, radiation is created by this process? Specifically,
are any long lived radioactive isotopes made and if so to what degree are
they beta/alpha emitters or give off gamma rays?
People are only wary of conventional uranium/plutonium nuclear processes
because they are (rightly) concerned about the waste products that need
isolating for centuries, the consequences of industrial acccident and the
nuclear proliferation issue. The fear here is either rogue states diverting
civilian nuclear material to weapons grade plutonium production or whether
terrorist groups could get hold of nuclear material which they could fashion
into a crude bomb with their bare hands - if they could find a martyr who
didn't mind dying for the cause (seemingly not a problem). Also, of course,
non fissionable grade material can be converted into dirty bombs.
Nick Palmer
On the side of the Planet - and the people - because they're worth it
Blogspot - Sustainability and stuff according to Nick Palmer
http://nickpalmer.blogspot.com
