From: utzoo!decvax!genradbo!mitccc!jfw
Newsgroups: net.misc
Title: Re: "Re: Cosmos A-Bomb"
Article-I.D.: mitccc.268
Posted: Fri Jan 21 22:20:34 1983
Received: Mon Jan 24 06:48:53 1983
References: yale-com.694

Re: the poisonosity of plutonium.

It is entirely unnecessary for it to be "poisonous" for it to have
effect.

Consider the mass hysteria when it is announced that there is
radioactive plutonium in the city water supply.  There are relatively
few people informed enough to understand that such a low concentration
is probably utterly without harm, and most of the rest have been scared
by hysteria salesmen who wish to make their name through radiation-mania.
Indeed, the denials by experts that there would be noticable danger
would be taken by many as "proof" that there is critical danger.

Someone desiring to extort money could quite easily dribble a small
solution of Uranium Oxide* on the concrete next to the water
reservoir, and announce that if $M is not paid in DELTA-T, another few
gallons will be dumped into the supply.

*Drop Uranium into water.  It is about as reactive as sodium, and will
replace the hydrogen in water, thus skittering about the surface of the
water in a flaming jet until it is used up.  Fun to watch, at least with
sodium.

John Woods, ...!genradbo!mitccc!jfw