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April 25, 2007

Nuclear Smugglers Arrested in Belarus

My understanding is that Uranium 238 isn't all that dangerous. It's the most common form of uranium found in nature. But the fact that they were caught in a sting operation makes me think that there was an underlying motivation to the smuggling which was a little more worrisome. At least these guys were caught. But how many others haven't?

ITAR-TASS:

Two Belarussian citizens have been detained on the Lithuanian border on suspicion of radioactive contraband, a source at the Belarussian Interior Ministry said on Tuesday.
A metal container with a caption â€œUranium 238. 1991â€ was found on their car...
The operation was planned for several months.

Hat tip: Laura Mansfield for the e-mail.

Posted by: Rusty at 08:07 AM | Comments (12) | Add Comment
Post contains 117 words, total size 1 kb.

1 I'm not going to believe it until Joe Wilson signs off on it.

Posted by: Randman at April 25, 2007 09:10 AM (Sal3J)

2 I guess it depends how you define dangerous. Sure, it can't be used in a fission bomb, but it is highly radioactive and so could be used in a 'dirty' bomb.
I also hear it's good for removing stubborn stains.

Posted by: Infidelsalwayswin at April 25, 2007 09:11 AM (k+ld0)

3 OK I did the cheap easy (suspect) reading over at wiki, and they say Uranium -238 is 5x more effective at blocking Gamma rays than the equivalent of lead, so if you used U-238 as a shield for something that was emitting gamma rays it could be made lighter. The radiation from U-238 is relatively weak, and easily blocked by even a comparatively thin coat of lead so I leave the possibilities to your speculation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uranium-238


Also, U-238 is used in the manufacture of atomic weapons, (see wiki) and it makes them more effective. OR maybe this was just a practice run?

                                       USA, all the way!

Posted by: Michael Weaver at April 25, 2007 09:36 AM (2OHpj)

4 Rusty for ALL my nuclear purchases I go to United Nuclear
http://www.unitednuclear.com/uraniumstock.htm
Uranium U238 can be bought legally and over the counter (why go under the counter or off the street??) Their website does say adult signature may be required on delivery.
Current price on their website is generally about 170 dollars per gram.
Fearmongering ?? or just a lack of information ?

Posted by: John Ryan at April 25, 2007 09:54 AM (TcoRJ)

5 Their website does say adult signature may be required

So John...who do you get to sign for you?

Posted by: Randman at April 25, 2007 10:06 AM (Sal3J)

6 JR,

I think the first sentence was something like My understanding is that Uranium 238 isn't all that dangerous.

But why were they arrested if there wasn't something else going on?

Posted by: Rusty at April 25, 2007 10:38 AM (JQjhA)

7 They were also trying to purchase some Illudium PU-36 to make an explosive space modulator. Fortunately, Illudium is a rather difficult element to come by though there are apparently abundant amounts of it on the planet Mars. I suggest we carefully monitor anyone attempting to acquire Illudium PU-36 for any reason. The government has already been monitoring at least one individual whom they refer to only as Marvin. Marvin has made prior threats about blowing up the Earth in order to provide himself an unobstructed view of Venus. Marvin is the type we need to watch out for.

Posted by: Rick at April 25, 2007 01:34 PM (9ZqGe)

8 It was probably the "Uranium 238" written on the side of the container that tipped-off the border guards. You're supposed to brown sack your nuclear materials - friggin amateurs.

Posted by: tbone at April 25, 2007 02:05 PM (HGqHt)

9 John Ryan,

doesnt seem to be a lack of information, just a lack of reading comprehension on your part...Rather par for the course...............

http://www.mp3.com.au/artist.asp?id=16834

Posted by: doriangrey at April 25, 2007 05:22 PM (XvkRd)

10 On a practical note, what might be concealed INSIDE a chunk of U-238? How much fissionable plutonium does it take to make a bomb? Could you hide plutonium, or some other enriched mass of fissionables in a chunk of uranium? Why did they need it? Who do they work for? We could be finding out some of thee things as oppossed to watching JR play with himself some more.

USA, all the way!

Posted by: Michael Weaver at April 25, 2007 08:08 PM (2OHpj)

Posted by: hwnwo at June 01, 2007 04:45 PM (12RE3)

12 tuyc jdeu kgps lifgaveh fagvucotm dnxfmasz whmndtxf

Posted by: pftgvx ezfa at June 05, 2007 12:22 AM (YfBY2)

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April 25, 2007

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