Breeders Quote by John Gofman
“Plutonium is so hazardous that if you had a fully developed nuclear economy with breeder reactors fueled with plutonium, and you managed to contain the plutonium 99.99 percent perfectly, it would still cause somewhere between 140,000 and 500,000 extra lung-cancer fatalities each year.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Energy Policy Discussion, 1970s
Even near‑perfect containment of plutonium in a large‑scale nuclear economy would still cause massive health harms due to its extreme toxicity and long half‑life.
In simple terms: Plutonium remains deadly despite tight containment.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize safety and alternatives over expanding plutonium use.
Themes
nuclear safety
public health
energy policy
Mood
cautious
concerned
Type
technical
policy.
When to use this quote
- nuclear power plant design
- regulatory standards
- public health monitoring
- energy transition planning
Key Concepts
radiation risk
toxicology
risk assessment
Questions to Reflect On
- Can we ever make plutonium use truly safe?
- What alternatives reduce health risks while meeting energy needs?
A Different Perspective
Assumes current technology can achieve 99.99% containment, which may be unrealistic.
