The government in United States plans to produce plutonium 238, a highly radio active substance, for the first time since the Cold War.
Though not much was disclosed of the project, some of the leading newspapers state that in the past, the plutonium powered espionage devices and of course as indicated by Frazier, Chief of radioisotope power systems at U.S. Energy Department, “The real reason we're starting production is for national security,” is a known fact.
He further stated that it would not be used for nuclear arms, satellites, or weapons in space.
To be produced at the Idaho National Laboratory, this project is estimated to cost $1.5 billion generating of 330 pounds of new plutonium over 30 years and subsequently result in over 50,000 drums of hazardous and radioactive waste.
Though this mission driven project will play an integral role in meeting the National Security requirements, it leads to debates over the risks and the jeopardy of the deadly material. As indicated by the medical experts, inhaling even an iota of this material can lead to lung cancer.
Plutonium-238 is enormously, more than hundred times radioactive than plutonium-239, which is used in atomic weapons.
Plutonium 238 is not significant for nuclear weapons but its potent and powerful heat can be converted into electricity. It is also indicated that nuclear batteries made of 238 can power spacecraft to reach where even sunlight is extremely dim to energize solar cells. Such is its power.
Private experts and Federal state that this new plutonium is quite likely to power devises for surveillance on land and under water.
Plutonium 238 production by US dates back to 1980s. It presently depends on either imports from Russia or on old stockpiles. However, imports to the extent of 16 kgs (35 pounds) from Russia could not be used for military operations since the end of the Cold War.
