Abstract:
This paper is not in support or against the nuclear industry. Its purpose is to evaluate the actual health risks posed by the industry, both weapons and power by comparing those risks to natural sources of radiation including cosmic and terrestrial sources. Also included will be technically enhanced natural sources, medical applications of radiation and occupational exposure.The question of how large a role the nuclear industry has in the dose to humans, and the effect of that radiation will also be examined. Then due to perceptions about this compound and a large availability of information because it has been studied in depth, plutonium will be the topic of major focus including a chemical description, its concentration in the environment and its relation to induction of cancer in man will be evaluated through the use of human and animal studies. This paper will hopefully clarify the actual role of the element and the nuclear industry and place them in their proper perspectives.
