ATOMIC ENERGY AS A HUMAN ASSET——-COMPTON 171 
heater unit will be needed and that corrosion due to excessive heating 
is controllable. 
The terrific blasts produced by the atomic bombs have led to un- 
warranted fear of accidental explosions resulting from the normal use 
of atomic power. Explosions such as destroyed Hiroshima cannot 
occur accidentally. Such explosions must be carefully planned for. 
The dangers of explosions of the “boiler” type with an atomic power 
plant are about the same as with a steam plant, which is to say they 
are practically negligible if the plants are designed and handled by 
competent engineers. 
There is, nevertheless, real possibility of damage to health of the 
operating personnel from ionizating rays emitted by the plant itself 
and by all materials that are taken out of the plant. These materials 
could also become a public hazard. This is the problem of the health 
of radium and X-ray workers on a grand scale. That the problem 
can be solved is shown by the fact that in all of the operations of the 
existing half dozen or more such plants, some of which have now been 
working for years, not a single serious exposure has occurred. This, 
however, is due to the thorough inspection and vigilant care given by 
the health staff headed by Dr. Robert Stone. In some of the experi- 
mental work we have not been so fortunate. Until we become much 
more familiar with nucleonics than we are at present, atomic power 
plants can be operated safely and serviced only with the help of health 
supervisors who are familiar with radiological hazards. 
All of this points toward using atomic power first in relatively large 
units where careful engineering and health supervision can be given. 
An obvious suggestion is its application to the power and heat supply 
of cities and of large industrial plants. Within 10 years it is not 
unlikely that the power companies designing new plants for city serv- 
ice will be considering favorably the use of uranium instead of coal 
for purely economic reasons. 
This of course does not mean that atomic power will put coal out 
of business. Each will have its own field. For small heating units, 
such as the kitchen stove, atomic power has no place. If our national 
economy grows as it should, coal as a chemical agent, as for example 
in blast furnaces and preparation of organic chemicals, will increase 
in importance. 
From the point of view of the national economy the introduction 
of such a new source of power is a clear gain. If it will lessen the 
cost of heat and power to our cities, it will be a stimulus to every 
industry. If it reduces the pall of winter smoke, it will be a boon to 
us all. If it gives cheap power where industry and agriculture need 
it but cannot now get it, it will extend our economic frontiers. These 
are possibilities that lie immediately before us. 
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