Waste Streams
Nuclear power has at least four waste streams that may harm the environment:
- they create spent nuclear fuel at the reactor site (including plutonium waste)
- they produce tailings at uranium mines and mills
- during operation they can release small amounts of radioactive isotopes
- during accidents they can release large quantities of dangerous radioactive materials
The nuclear fuel cycle involves some of the most dangerous elements and isotopes known to humankind, including more than 100 dangerous radionuclides and carcinogens such as strontium-90, iodine 131 and cesium -137, which are the same toxins found in the fall out of nuclear weapons".
Read more about this topic: Environmental Impact Of Nuclear Power
Famous quotes containing the words waste and/or streams:
“We waste our lights in vain, like lamps by day.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
“Once at thy Feast, I saw thee Pearle-like stand
‘Tween Heaven and Earth, where Heavens Bright glory all
In streams fell on thee, as a floodgate and
Like Sun Beams through thee on the World to Fall.
Oh! Sugar sweet then! My Deare sweet Lord, I see
Saints Heaven-lost Happiness restor’d by thee.”
—Edward Taylor (1645–1729)