Word: uranium
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...technique the geologists used was based on another sort of radioactive decay. Organisms contain traces of uranium, which degrades into thorium. The rate of decay is known, and by measuring the relative amounts of the two substances in a sample, age can be accurately calculated...
...warhead's plutonium cores and touch off an unstoppable atomic chain reaction. Some experts see a slim chance of a nuclear explosion in the case of the W-79 artillery shell, but the far more likely result would be a chemical blast that could release deadly radioactive plutonium or uranium from the cores. The safety problems, disclosed last week by the Washington Post, were promptly confirmed in public congressional hearings. The difficulties seem sure to complicate immensely a review under way of how many and what kind of nuclear weapons the U.S. should deploy in the light of easing cold...
...ballistic surface-to-surface missiles, chemical weapons and satellites. The Iraqis had even secured $3 billion in unauthorized loans from the Atlanta branch of Italy's Banca Nazionale del Lavoro to finance the purchase of industrial products in the U.S. The Iraqis also possessed about 25 lbs. of enriched uranium salvaged from the Osirak nuclear reactor, which was destroyed by Israeli warplanes in a surprise raid in June...
Although the Atomic Energy Commission knew by 1951 that venting radon gas from uranium mines could greatly reduce workers' exposure to radiation, it waited 20 years to require the practice at mines in Southwestern states. As a result, thousands of miners, many of them Navajos from local reservations, contracted lung cancer, and many of them died. In 1979, 200 workers with cancer sued the Federal Government for damages, but courts dismissed the case on the ground of sovereign immunity, which exempts the Government from legal liability unless it gives its consent...
...according to the inspector general's report, none of the probes seriously pursued the possibility of illegal diversion. Experts say that although the material was packed in sealed containers, it was sent by commercial carrier and did not receive the special safeguards used for shipments of plutonium or enriched uranium. Last week's report urged a fresh investigation and a tightening of procedures. Critics welcomed the recommendations but wondered why they came so late. Asked Congressman Edward Markey of Massachusetts, who released the report to the press: "Do we have to wait until Pakistan, Libya or South Africa announce they...