Bolivian Police Seize 2 Tons of Uranium

reply to post by shaneslaughta


Depends on what type of uranium it was

Natural Uranium contains only 0.7% of the fissionable isotope U 235, remainder is U 238

To be used in most mods of reactors( Uranium must to "enriched" to increase content of U 235 to 3 - 3 1/2 %

To enrich Uranium is extremely complex process whwere it is turned into corrosive gas (Uranium Hexafloride
UF6) then run through casade of thousands of high speed centrifuges which take advantage of slight difference
in weight between the two isotopes

Weapons require minimum concentration of 20 % U 235 - even then would require tons of material

Weapons grade is 90 % U 235

Minimum needed for weapon (critical mass) is 25 kg (55 lbs) of U 235 - and would need more than 1 critical
mass - 1st nuclear weapon at Hiroshima used 132 lbs of Uranium at average concentration of 80 %

So if ordinary Uranium not much danger, if ewnriched to high degree would be a major problem........