[steve86]

If it were plutonium that would be one thing, but other elements do not have such lengthy half-lives.

I am far from being a nuclear physicist but it depends on the isotope as well as the element. 239Pu, if I'm reading a table correctly, has a half-life of almost 25,000 years. 228Pu, only a few milliseconds. Different types of fission weapons produce isotopes of various elements in different ratios. I think alot of the concern over a radiological bomb is due to Cobalt-60 stolen from medical or irradiation sources, with a half-life of 5 years.

[bonesmccoy]

You are correct regarding the isotope vs. element issue.

But, that was also my point as well.

Most of these elements can be cleansed from the environment. Those environmentalists overestimate the degree of risk from radiation.

The radiation exposure risks, while present, are probably lower than driving in a rain storm in LA.