Plutonium: facts and inferences

This report reviews the knowledge that we have about plutonium from the point of view of the inferences that can be drawn from such knowledge relative to the implications for society of the creation of this element in a nuclear power industry. It represents a detailed source of information that should be helpful in promoting an understanding of the issues. An idea of the content can be gained from the chapter titles: (1) Properties of Plutonium; (2) Release of Plutonium into the Environment from the Nuclear Power Industry; (3) Plutonium in the Biosphere; (4) Plutonium and Human Beings; (5) Diversion of Plutonium for Malevolent Purposes. In the report itself there was an attempt to avoid stating conclusions. However, the contributing authors did express a general view based on their collective experiences