Word: poisons
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Citizen Hughes contains plenty of grist for a Potomac potboiler: the role of Hughes Tool Co. in building the Glomar Explorer, the secret submarine-recovery vessel; Hughes' plans to run Nevada Governor Paul Laxalt for President; Robert Maheu's part in a half-baked CIA plot to poison Fidel Castro. But the book's chief merit is its direct access to the mind of a callous and frightened man. His fears about antitrust suits, Las Vegas competition and staff loyalty pale before his phobias. Dreading germs, he dictated a "Procedures Manual" for handling anything he was to touch: "Wash four...
...were to acquire as much information as possible about American medicine. Some were epidemiologists. The agent who was later expelled had spoken with relish about the possibility of demolishing New York's electric-power systems. Perhaps he was working out plans of an even more sinister nature with the poison and plague specialists...
Unrelieved worry about self-preservation is one of life's more depressing preoccupations. DeLillo illustrates this sad fact and attempts to lift the dread with satire and comic invention. An expert explains the poison cloud that threatens Iron City: "This is Nyodene D. A whole new generation of toxic waste. What we call state of the art." There are lampoons (if that is possible) of occult tabloids: "From beyond the grave, dead living legend John Wayne will communicate telepathically with President Reagan to help frame U.S. foreign policy. Mellowed by death, the strapping actor will advocate a hopeful policy...
Doctors in Bhopal were growing increasingly concerned about the long-term effects of the chemical. Many of the early victims of the poison gas were suffering from secondary infections, especially pneumonia. Even soldiers who had arrived in the city 30 hours after the gas escaped began to develop swollen eyes and debilitating coughs. Indeed, at times last week it seemed that the Bhopal tragedy might never end. When refugees from the city arrived in the neighboring state of Uttar Pradesh, they were suspected of carrying fatally contagious diseases. In many cases, family and friends shunned them. -By Pico Iyer...
Trucks used for shipping chemicals must be strong enough to survive a rollover without breaking open, and tank cars a derailment. Hydrogen cyanide, a lethal poison, can be transported only in carriers with 1-in.-thick, high-strength steel bulkheads. When a railroad car carrying petrochemicals overturns, the reason may be loose rails, which can break off from their ties and puncture the front of an oncoming tank car. Therefore, industry rules were established that call for adding more insulation and head shields. Cost: $452 million...