Would a Mars Science Laboratory Launch Accident Pose a Radiation Risk? Article Writing Example

I selected this article because I am interested in nuclear power and have wondered what the risks really are of launching plutonium-powered craft into space. I was initially reassured because the article, which discusses the plutonium risk of the then-upcoming launch of the Mars explorer Curiosity, turned out to be correct: the launch three days after the article’s December 23 dateline went without a hitch. And the author did a good job of explaining the protective measures taken. I doubt that many readers  now worry about plutonium being launched into space — at least by NASA.

The article specifically mentioned the form of plutonium used: plutonium dioxide. One of the reported benefits is that, like ceramic, it’s insoluble and breaks up into relatively large pieces. “If the plutonium fuel gets vaporized (by the atmosphere or fire) and you inhale or swallow it, it will pass through your body quickly, rather than sticking around to cause significant radiation damage,” said Ryan Bechtel, a safety administrator. I went looking for corroboration on the Web, and here I became somewhat alarmed at the contradictory information available on this subject.

The activist group IEER has stated that “The oxidation of plutonium represents a health hazard since the resulting stable compound, plutonium dioxide is in particulate form that can be easily inhaled. It tends to stay in the lungs for long periods, and is also transported to other parts of the body.”

I think what I learned is that for every explanation of plutonium’s hazards there is probably someone, somewhere who disagrees with it.