Question

What are the hazards of nuclear waste to living organisms? Suggest suitable measures to control them.

Answer 1

Nuclear Radiations: Nuclear reactions and waste emit nuclear radiations that have a harmful effect on living organisms.

Harmful effects: The harmful effects of nuclear wastes on the human body are of two types:

1. Somatic effects: This involves damage to the body cells leading to the diseases such as cancer.
2. Genetic effects: This involves damage to the genes of the affected person and the effects may be passed on to the next generation.

Suitable Measures: Following suitable measures should be taken to control the hazards of nuclear wastes:

1. Prevention of erosion of nuclear waste disposal sites.
2. Monitoring the radioactivity around the disposal sites; and maintaining distance between the disposal sites and human shelters.