pore we wm ee cee oeee ee oe a ae she blase about the levels of contarnination encountered east of Rocky Flats. Yinally I would like to describe the problem in a larger context. By the year 2000, plutonium~-239 has been conjectured to be a major energy source. Commercial production is projected at 30. tons per year by 1930, in excess of 100 tons per year by 2000. academic question. Plutonium contamination is notan ° Unless ‘fusion reactor feasibility is demonstrated in the near future, the commitment will be made to liquid metal fast breeder reactors fueledbyplutonium. Since fusion reactors are presently specula- tive, the decision for liquid metal fast breeders should be anticipated and a plutonium should be considered as a major pollutant of remarkable toxicity mperative that public health aspects be carefully and To live sanely MOYaisERYRN An indeterminate amount of plutonium has gone off site at a major facility 10 miles upwind from a metropolitan area. ? The loss was unnsticed. ~ The origin is somewhat speculative as is the ultimate deposition. ° e . :* . ° . - ‘The health and safety of public and workers are protected by a set of standards for plutonium acknowledged to he meaningless. Such things make a travesty of public hcalth, and raise serious questions about a hurried acceptance of nuclear cnergy. . . ’ y . “T . -: * ee eer ee eee - it q eee eee wee: . vente om smerny eee . - be able to monitor against all significant hazards. u' * with plutonium one must appreciate the potential magnitude of the risk, and ve honeslly defined prior to active promotion of the industry. PS cab we noetbe StatenTEESeSstibet, ceataSentdeschairsave Sloe 22 eT te e = = SiR STE Be BL - pave t ose the commitment! Considering the enormous economic inertia involved in pute and persistence.