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We prefer to plans to build a nuclear plant to help meet the country’s future energy needs. Following are some of the reasons why we should not opt for nuclear power which is an expensive, polluting, dangerous source of energy: Health Impact Nuclear reactors have serious environmental and public health impacts. Radioactive air and water pollution is released through the routine operation of all nuclear reactors. A wide range of radioactive isotopes are released with varying radioactive and chemical properties - some toxic, some not, some more radioactive than others, some lasting minutes, some lasting billions of years. A studies in Mainz, Germany, shows the risk of getting cancer, particularly leukaemia, increases for children growing up in a neighborhood of a nuclear plant. The result showed a significantly higher risk to get cancer if the children lived within a radius of less than 5km around a nuclear plant. There were 77 cases of cancer (60% more than expected in normal statistical values) and 37 cases of leukaemia (117% more than expected). Radioactive Waste The nuclear chain begins with uranium mining, a polluting activity that devastates large areas. Uranium ore can contain as little as 500gm recoverable uranium per million grammes of earth. Enormous amounts of rock have to be dug up, crushed and chemically processed to extract the uranium. The remaining wastes or tailings, still contain large amounts of radioactivity and are often stored in poor condition, resulting in the contamination of surface and groundwater. Radioactive wastes are produced continually in reactors. High-level nuclear waste (also called irradiated or spent fuel) is more radioactive than when the fuel rods were loaded into the reactor. This waste is so lethal that standing near it without shielding causes fatality within minutes. This waste is hazardous for years and no technology exists to keep it isolated for long. Irradiated fuel rods are stored in storage pools inside reactor buildings. If someone accidentally drained the water from the pool, the spent fuel would burst into flames and burn out of control for days, releasing clouds of highly-radioactive material. In case of leakage, what is going to happen to the radioactively contaminated water? Another type of waste is low-level radioactive waste which is all other radioactive waste from reactors. Large amounts of this waste have to be buried and over the years may leak and contaminate groundwater. Reactor Accidents and Leaks Of all electricity generation technologies, nuclear power is one which is capable of catastrophic accidents. Does Malaysia have the capacity to deal with a catastrophic event such as a reactor meltdown or leak? Is the public willing to accept this risk when cheaper and safer energy alternatives are available? Although the probability of a nuclear explosion is minor, there is a significant risk of core meltdown and for steam and chemical explosions. The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has reported that at least 27 of America’s 104 licensed reactors are now leaking radioactive tritium. Harm to Aquatic Life Reactors require huge amounts of cooling water, which is why they are often near rivers, lakes or oceans. The initial devastation of marine life and ecosystems stems from the powerful intake of water into the nuclear reactor. Marine life, ranging from fish larvae to microscopic planktonic organisms vital to the ocean ecosystem, is sucked into the reactor cooling system. Some of these animals are killed when trapped against filters, grates, and other structures. An equally huge volume of wastewater is discharged at temperatures hotter than the water into which it flows and this would also be detrimental to aquatic life. Trying to quit smoking like cold turkey? Maybe this vaporizer pipe? can help you to kick start the quitting, visit http://vaporizerpipe.org/tobacco-herb-grinder.php here to find out more on how to grind your herb.
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