Nuclear Synthesis Essay

Words: 1113
Pages: 5

The science of atomic radiation and nuclear fission was developed in the early to mid-1900’s with the primary focus of creating atomic bombs; however, in the late 1900’s, the focus shifted towards using nuclear power plants to create energy. Multiple European countries such as Russia, Germany, France, and England created reactors that could harness such energy (“Nuclear Basics”). Though the U.S. also participated in the construction of nuclear power plants, the public remained wary of this power due to multiple meltdowns and leftover fear from the Cold War. However, this idea soon gained popularity as nuclear power provides energy without releasing carbon emissions, thus, a viable option for combating global warming. Despite this environmental …show more content…
While reactor safety has greatly improved since the Chernobyl accident, a reactor explosion in Ukraine that caused great environmental and biological damage, little is known about the safety of the overall fuel cycle.The fuel cycle includes Uranium excavation, Uranium enrichment, fuel fabrication, reprocessing, storage, disposal, etc. Uranium mining, when used, can expose miners to dangerous airborne radiation, and can increase environmental degradation if open pit mining is utilized (“Nuclear Basics”). The enrichment process requires the use of hydrogen fluoride which, if exposed to humans, can enter the body through the skin and cause damages to cells, often leading to chronic illnesses (“Facts About Hydrogen Fluoride”). The average worker at a nuclear power plant comes into contact with about 50 mSv of radiation per year, with 500 mSv the dose that usually reveals physiological damage (CHAPTER 17). There are also concerns about terrorist attacks on the many nuclear power plants that are located around the world. Security protocols have been amplified and security forces instated, but the possibility of an