Hand-held laser for nuclear decommissioning

[Jon]

Hand-held laser for nuclear decommissioning. GIF and videos below.

Here's a longer video of this same tool, with a different head, being used for concrete scabbling. Apparently nuclear contamination of concrete is generally limited to a depth of just a few millimeters, and the laser zaps off the top 10 millimeters or so. If you've ever ground a concrete floor you can appreciate this technology.

Anyone know more about why lasers are so advantageous for this kind of job, as opposed to just mechanical means of demolition? Reduction of contaminated dust or vapor? Speed?

More:

Decommissioning Using Lasers
Laser Scabbling
Nuclear decommissioning on Wikipedia