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Radioactive contamination, also called radiological pollution, is the deposition of, or presence of radioactive substances on surfaces or within solids, liquids, or gases (including the human body), where their presence is unintended or undesirable (from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) definition).
Nuclear power plants in normal operation emit less radioactivity than coal power plants. [69] [70] Unlike coal-fired or oil-fired power generation, nuclear power generation does not directly produce any sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, or mercury (pollution from fossil fuels is blamed for 24,000 early deaths each year in the U.S. alone [71 ...
The Soviet Union conducted 456 nuclear tests at Semipalatinsk from 1949 until 1989 with little regard for their effect on the local people or environment. The full impact of radiation exposure was hidden for many years by Soviet authorities and has only come to light since the test site closed in 1991. [59] 2007 ISO radioactivity danger symbol ...
The focus of the first half of the chapter is designed to provide basic information about atoms and radiation to aid in later chapters. [1] The first half covers the basics on atoms such as: an atom consists of Neutrons, Protons, and Electrons; the atomic number of an atom determines the amount of protons in one atom; and that protons are roughly 2000 times heavier than electrons (see atom).
Economists estimate that each nuclear plant built could save more than 800,000 life years.
High-level waste is full of highly radioactive fission products, most of which are relatively short-lived. This is a concern since if the waste is stored, perhaps in deep geological storage, over many years the fission products decay, decreasing the radioactivity of the waste and making the plutonium easier to access.
Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 as amended (PDF/details) in the GPO Statute Compilations collection; Summary of Nuclear Waste Policy Act can be found on the EPA site: EPA Laws & Regulations "Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act – P.L. 96-573" (PDF). U.S. Senate Bill S. 2189 ~ 94 Stat. 3347. U.S. Government Printing Office.
This radioisotope can be released from the nuclear fuel cycle; this is the radioisotope responsible for the majority of the dose experienced by the population as a result of the activities of the nuclear power industry. [citation needed] Nuclear bomb tests have increased the specific activity of carbon, whereas the use of fossil fuels has ...