How does nuclear energy affect the environment?
Image: Ideago/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Nuclear generated electricity does not emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and is considered a clean energy source compared to energy generated by burning fossil fuels which produce carbon dioxide. But its not the cleanest of energy sources available because the production of nuclear energy can pose serious threats to the environment. For example, in the course of mining uranium as well as the refining process, the production of plutonium produces high level radioactive currents in the air which can harm wildlife, humans and the environment.
Radioactive waste is a significant issue with nuclear power. Radioactive waste contains radioactive elements that emit higher levels of radiation than natural background radiation. Any waste that is radioactive (like used fuel bundles from power stations) must be handled using special procedures.
The greatest risk associated with nuclear power stations though is when something goes wrong.
On 26 April 1986, reactor number four at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in the Ukraine exploded. Other explosions followed, and fire sent radioactive fallout into the atmosphere. Four hundred times more fallout was released as a result of the disaster than by the atomic bombing of Hiroshima at the end of WWII. The radiation released is linked to a sgnificant increase in the number of cancer rates in people in the surrounding area. It is estimated that over 2500 deaths resulted from the Chernobyl incident.
In March 2011, the Fukoshima Daiichi nuclear power station was severely damaged following the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan. After a number of explosions there was a series of equipment failures, nuclear meltdown and the release of radioactive materials. It has been the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl. There is ongoing concern about the effects of high levels of radiation on the local population.
Radioactive waste is a significant issue with nuclear power. Radioactive waste contains radioactive elements that emit higher levels of radiation than natural background radiation. Any waste that is radioactive (like used fuel bundles from power stations) must be handled using special procedures.
The greatest risk associated with nuclear power stations though is when something goes wrong.
On 26 April 1986, reactor number four at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in the Ukraine exploded. Other explosions followed, and fire sent radioactive fallout into the atmosphere. Four hundred times more fallout was released as a result of the disaster than by the atomic bombing of Hiroshima at the end of WWII. The radiation released is linked to a sgnificant increase in the number of cancer rates in people in the surrounding area. It is estimated that over 2500 deaths resulted from the Chernobyl incident.
In March 2011, the Fukoshima Daiichi nuclear power station was severely damaged following the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan. After a number of explosions there was a series of equipment failures, nuclear meltdown and the release of radioactive materials. It has been the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl. There is ongoing concern about the effects of high levels of radiation on the local population.