OT- north korean nuke weapon plutonium - source?

What's the source of the material that the north koreans are using to make
their nukes. Does it come from their own reactors? It's being described in
the press as "reprocessed nuclear fuel rods". Are they getting the stuff
from sources in the west ?
As an aside- interesting that the 2 countries that have troops in Iraq have
suffered electrical grid problems that have affected their 2 primary
cities... Pat

"patrick mitchel" wrote in message
...
As an aside- interesting that the 2 countries that have troops in Iraq
have
suffered electrical grid problems that have affected their 2 primary
cities... Pat

What's more, I believe at least 500,000 people in both cities ate carrots
that day. Surely a more convincing and coincidental statistic?

Si

"patrick mitchel" wrote in message
...
What's the source of the material that the north koreans are using to make
their nukes. Does it come from their own reactors? It's being described in
the press as "reprocessed nuclear fuel rods". Are they getting the stuff
from sources in the west ?

No , from their own reactors

As an aside- interesting that the 2 countries that have troops in Iraq
have
suffered electrical grid problems that have affected their 2 primary
cities... Pat



The powercut in London lasted for less than an hour in most parts
and was down to failure of main and standby equipment.

**** happens

Keith

"Keith Willshaw"
What's the source of the material that the north koreans are using to
make
their nukes. Does it come from their own reactors? It's being described
in
the press as "reprocessed nuclear fuel rods". Are they getting the stuff
from sources in the west ?

Is there any external radiation from a nuclear weapon or warhead?
Plutonium must emit some radiation, how is this shielded? I would think
lead would work but would be very heavy negating the transportation of say a
suitcase nuclear device. What about depleted uranium? I think this may be
like beryllium. Not dangerous unless ingested.

"Keith Willshaw" wrote in message
news:...


Yes but not much, the specific activity of Pu-238 is only 0.063 curies per
gram


Correction - that should be PU-239

Keith

"Keith Willshaw" wrote in message
...

"Keith Willshaw" wrote in message
news:...


Yes but not much, the specific activity of Pu-238 is only 0.063 curies
per
gram


Correction - that should be PU-239

Duh.

"Keith Willshaw
Yes but not much, the specific activity of Pu-238 is only 0.063 curies
per
gram


Correction - that should be PU-239

Keith:
Reason I asked is, I had a thyroid problem some years ago and got
radiation treatment for it. I was told by the nuclear medicine types to go
into this room. On the table I would find a lead lined container which
contained the radiation pill. I was told to swallow it and then tell them
when I was done. Hell, they wanted me to swallow it and not even be in the
same room with the stuff when removed from the protective container. :-) I
was told to stay away from young children for a few month until this stuff
decayed. My job required me to ware a film badge and dosimeter. Didn't
think much about it at the time, but these two detectors are read on a
specific scheduled. Mine of course read a high exposure reading so they got
quite excited until I told them I had had thyroid radiation treatment. This
radiation lasted for about a year until it was too weak to be picked up by
the detectors.
Ed

If you're really interested in how the NKs got Pu239 check out a book
from the library - the process and cautions necessary are too lengthy
and complicated for a message, but rather easily understood.
Walt BJ

"Ed Majden" wrote in message
. ca...

"Tarver Engineering"

I think you probably got radioactive iodine.

Yes, it was radioactive iodine. It goes directly to the thyroid where
it does its thing!



Iodine 123 and 124 are MUCH more active than Plutonium and their
half lives are measured in days not thousands of years

"Walt BJ" wrote in message
m...
If you're really interested in how the NKs got Pu239 check out a book
from the library - the process and cautions necessary are too lengthy
and complicated for a message, but rather easily understood.

Naah, it is really really simple and I already posted the process here.