Nuclear Waste
Nuclear waste, also known as radioactive waste, is leftover matter that contains radioactive material. Radioactivity is when unstable nuclei of atoms decay and release particles. There are three different types of Radiation—Alpha, Beta, and Gamma—all of which are low-leveled and are naturally occurring. Alpha radiation can’t penetrate skin, but can be blocked by a piece of paper and are hazardous to the lungs. Beta radiation can penetrate the body but can be blocked by a sheet of aluminum foil. Gamma radiation can penetrate the body but needs at least a few centimeters of lead, concrete or water to be blocked. Radioactive waste can originate from many different sites and is categorized by the amount of radiation. Low-level wastes originate from contaminated protective clothing, hospitals, laboratories, or industry. This type of waste usually emits lower amounts of radiation than others. Low-level wastes are usually short-lived and are usually incarcerated when disposed. Long-lived wastes, unlike short-lived wastes, have to be disposed of by burying deep underground. Mid-level wastes are more radioactive than low-level wastes. These wastes may be solidified in concrete as and may require special shielding. These wastes include resins, chemical sludge, and reactor components which are long-lived wastes. High level wastes may be the fuel itself or any primary reprocessed material. High-level wastes are heated and need to be cooled. They also require shielding when handled. Radioactive waste can come from mill tailings, also. Mill tailings are extra matter from processed ores used to extract thorium and uranium. Mill tailings have a greater volume than any other contributor but are less concentrated than others. [www.world-nuclear.org/education/wast.htm]
Radiation can have adverse effects on whatever it comes in contact with. The main way radiation spreads is through the water cycle. When radiation reaches water, it is carried through the water cycle. This contaminated water can be absorbed by vegetation or ingested by marine life that may be sold to the public. People can also be affected by inhaling the air, eating radiation contaminated foods, or radiation buildup on skin. How long an object or person is affected by radiation is called half-life. Half-life is the amount of time it takes for radioactive material to decay to one-half of its original amount. [www.library.thinkquest.org/3471/nuclear_waste_body.html]
As of now, there is no way to permanently remove radioactive waste—the major concern. The only way nuclear waste will become harmless is through decay which can take hundreds of thousands of years, even when reprocessed. There are other energy sources such as wind, solar, tidal, and bio-energy that don’t create risk to the environment. The risk of accident from nuclear energy is extremely high; for example, the explosion of the Chernobyl plant of Ukraine in 1986. Thirty people were killed; twenty-eight of them died of radiation exposure. Then, another two hundred and nine people had to be treated for radiation poisoning. [.www.wagingpeace.org/menu/issues/nuclear-energy-&-waste/nuclear-energy-fact-sheet.htm]