Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Is Nuclear Power Safe?

Never forget ChernobylImage by freestylee via FlickrBy Kk Subramanian

This is the first time in our history, that villagers are opposing the construction of a nuclear power plant. Most states are demanding such plants, considering power supply, employment opportunities etc. thinking that it is pollution free.

The reality is that it converts the whole area, into a danger zone, inviting an accident like the one at Chernobyl in Russia. The Russians could control the spread of radiation, by spreading soil, brought from various parts, transported in planes, as the whole nation rose as one man. All European countries admired the management of a disaster of such magnitude.

Can we do it?

The negative factors are:

- Such projects are very costly and the real cost is hidden, because of the fact that, intense supervision by BARC Scientists, is ignored in cost calculations.

- Still, no one knows how to dismantle a plant. The cost of dismantling should also be taken into account, in calculating the cost. This cost is enormous.

- Disposal of spent fuel, which is highly radioactive, is also very difficult. An accident of the special train carrying it can be disastrous.

A newly constructed atomic power plant was abandoned in Switzerland, after the people voted in favour of this idea, after the Chernobyl accident.

The villagers are opposing the acquisition of land for the project, because they fear that the environment will be spoilt forever. Their fears are legitimate and we all should join the struggle against the plant.

It is necessary to create awareness about the dangers to life and environment posed by nuclear power plants.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kk_Subramanian
http://EzineArticles.com/?Is-Nuclear-Power-Safe?&id=5790549
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2 comments:

  1. I just don't trust it, even before Chernobyl.

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  2. Strange as it may seem, CO2 may pose a much greater risk than nuclear energy. Burning coal, in particular releases mercury,cadmium, rsenic, lead,sulfur oxides, nitrogen
    oxides,particulates, and radioactive isotopes of radon as well as the CO2 which is causing climate change.
    France uses nuclear energy for much of its electricity. There are many nuclear plants that have produced energy for years with no meltdowns. Chernobyl was such a disaster because the containment building was metal, which melted and oxidized releasing radioactive isotopes. Three mile island was a similar accident, but the concrete containment kept it from turning into a bigger disaster.Certainly, disposal of nuclear waste is a problem, but newer methods are being developed to reprocess and reuse the materials.

    We will need a variety of energy sources to replace our dependence on fossil fuels and we should consider nuclear as part of the mix.

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