Question

Explain how nuclear waste are generated and why they pose a threat to the environment. What steps are taken for the safe disposal of these wastes?

Answer 1

Nuclear waste: Nuclear waste or radioactive waste is defined as the waste that contains radioactive material (stuff that emits radiation). Such radioactive wastes are particularly harmful to the environment since they harm most living species on the planet. Some nuclear wastes may be cancerous, which means they can cause cancer.

Explanation:

1. Nuclear waste is generally produced by nuclear power reactors. The other name for it is radioactive waste.
2. The Americium-241 is a highly hazardous radioactive element. Nuclear wastes emit beta and gamma radiations, as well as alpha particles.
3. Because radioactive substances disintegrate spontaneously over many years, they are very hazardous.
4. Exposure to such pollutants produces mutations, which have a detrimental influence on human health and the ecosystem.

Nuclear waste is stored inadequately protected containers and buried far under the Earth's surface in rocks that are resistant to radiation.