What are nuclear accidents?
So many new technologies have been put in place to sure that such disaster doesn't happen again like the ones Chernobyl or more recently Fukushima, but the risk associated with them are relatively high. Even small radiation leaks can cause devastating effects. Some of the symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fatigue. Exposure to radiation can kill nerve cells and small blood vessels and can cause seizures and/or immediate death. People who work at nuclear power plants and live near the areas are at high risk of facing nuclear radiations, if it happens.What is nuclear radiation?There are power reactors called breeders. They produce plutonium. it is an element which is not found in nature however it is a fissionable element. it is a bi-product of the chain reaction and is harmful if introduced into nature. it is primarily used to produce nuclear weapons. (see fig.1, Chernobyl aftermath,and 2,side effects of radiation) Another negative aspect of nuclear chemistry is that it requires a lot of investment to set up a nuclear power station. It is not always possible by the developing countries to afford such a costly source of alternate energy. Some information that has to do with nuclear energy: Nuclear energy is a rare form of energy. It is the energy that is stored in the center or nucleus of an atom. After we bombard the nucleus into two parts, two different elements are formed along with the emission of high energy. A process which generally follows is called fission. There is another reaction called fusion, which produces only one tenth of the energy as produced during fission. Fission is the chain which requires Uranium-235. The nuclear energy is considered as the worthiest alternative source of energy after fossil fuels. ( see fig.2, fission process) Radioactive waste is the waste produced by nuclear reactors. The waste needs to be disposed of off at a safe place since it is extremely hazardous and can leak radiation if not stored properly. Such kind of waste emits radiation from tens to hundreds of years. The storage of radioactive waste has been a major bottleneck for the expansion of nuclear programs. The Nuclear wastes contain radio isotopes with long half lifes. Radio isotopes are radioactive isotopes with an unstable nucleus. they emit energy and particles when they become more stable. A half life is the time required to convert one half of a reactant to product. -Mostly applied to radioactive decay. Nuclear chemistry will not cut our dependence on oil from the middle east as the rumor has been told. Oil is used in producing gas for cars and nuclear power plants provide electricity, not fuel. Nuclear energy will not cut the carbon emission rates as it does give out equal to or even greater amounts of carbon emissions than a coal plant. ( fig.4 carbon emissions from a US nuclear power plant) There are many cleaner, safer, and less costly ways of creating energy. The process of making power in nuclear power plants includes the creation and disposing of dangerous and hazardous waste. There is no safe way to mine, dispose of, or even store nuclear materials. ( fig.5 hazardous nuclear waste) |