Nuclear | Disaster Rally

How to Survive a Nuclear Attack and Improve Your Survival Chances

If you grew up during the Cold War, the thought of a nuclear attack was probably one of your worse nightmares. Even though the conflict ended in the ‘90s increasing tensions with North Korea might have you wondering how to survive a nuclear attack. Likely, for the first time in decades.

Can it even be done? For years, scientists warned us about the impossibility of surviving such an ordeal. Radiation itself has become a favorite boogeyman in science fiction horror movies, turning mild-mannered laboratory assistants into mutated monstrosities.

The effects of radiation are very well known, and even mild radiation from the sun causes skin cancer deaths that measure over 16,000 every year. In light of even the smallest amounts of radiation doing so much damage, would we know how to survive a nuclear attack of any magnitude?

Being prepared for the worst case scenario is always the wise thing to do. Surviving the effects of a nuclear bomb and the resulting radiation may seem impossible, but smart planning can increase your chances of coming out alive on the other side.

Why Nuclear Attacks Are Lethal

Several components of any nuclear attack cause death and radiation poisoning. To make matters worse, the electromagnetic pulse (EMP) puts vital electrical and electronic devices out of order, making it impossible to contact emergency services or find medical care.

During an attack, victims can expect a bright flash that causes temporary blindness. The flash is followed by a blast wave, which will cause damage in a radius of several miles. This blast can topple buildings and trees, and cause death and severe injury to living creatures.

Fire from the explosion causes further damage, and the blast of radiation following will cause cell death in living organisms. After the blast, the fallout rains radioactive particles up to several miles away. This dirt, ash, and other particles are dangerous and cause radiation sickness.

Your distance from the blast improves your chances of survival. After detonation, the nuclear fallout radius is the most significant concern in regards to how to survive a nuclear attack. The plume may extend to a radius of hundreds of miles, depending on the local geography and weather.

How to Prepare for a Nuclear Attack

The best way to avoid a nuclear attack is not to be there when it happens. People who live in vital population hubs are most at risk. That said, there are things you can do to prepare ahead of time should this unlikely scenario play out.

Build emergency supply kits

A family emergency kit should have the basics, ranging from water and sealed, non-perishable food to a first aid kit. Add both a hand-crank and a battery-powered radio, along with extra batteries. You should also pack a can opener, flashlight, and fresh clothes.

You should also keep an emergency kit in your car. Along with natural disasters and travel emergencies that can hit while you’re on the road, if you receive warning of an imminent attack while commuting, you’ll only have seconds to respond.

Your emergency car supply kit will help if you need to seek shelter at your workplace or along your route. Include bottled water, energy bars, a hand-crank battery, and a flashlight. You may also want to have a spare set of comfortable clothing, as well as baby wipes on hand.

disaster preparedness kit, — Image CC by 2.0, by Global X, via Flickr

Prepare a family emergency plan

Developing a family emergency plan means identifying evacuation routes, nearby shelters, and a method for communicating with family members in the event of a nuclear attack.

Identify shelters near your home and commute

Ready.gov, the disaster planning service of the federal government, recommends finding the closest shelter. Identify potential shelters near your home, workplace, schools, and along the route of your usual commute. Note that public buildings with basements or large buildings with many stories as the best places to shelter in case of a blast. Although most public buildings will allow some radiation to penetrate, they can lessen exposure by a factor of 10.

Along with large public buildings, underground transportation platforms and tunnels are also ideal for shelter. The goal is to put as much concrete, brick, and earth between yourself and the air as possible. Underground shelters are your best choice when it comes to how to survive a nuclear attack.

Be sure to see if your community has a designated nuclear fallout shelter ahead of time. Even if it’s not accessible to you immediately after the blast, it will likely be a hub for any medical treatment for radiation poisoning, as well as updates from the authorities.

How to Survive a Nuclear Attack After the Blast

Depending on the missile’s launch site and the efficiency of the warning system, you may have a few moments to a half-hour to prepare for an attack. The following tips will improve your chances of survival.

Shield your eyes

The bright flash from the explosion can temporarily blind you, reducing your ability to survive in the aftermath. Shield your eyes and look away from the blast.

Seek shelter and remain there

The greater the distance between you and the blast, the better. The more dirt and concrete between you and outdoors, the better. If you’re beyond the immediate blast zone, at least 8 miles away, your chances of surviving the explosion are as high as 80 to 90 percent.

If you’re outside during the attack

The most lethal effect of a nuclear attack is the fallout, which is most dangerous in the first few hours afterward. After surviving the explosion, the threat of radiation poisoning is your first concern. If you’re outside and can’t get to a building fast, take cover under anything you can find. Lie on the ground; the lower, the better. Lie beneath anything that could protect you from the heat and blast wave. If you’re driving, pull over and duck down as low as you can go inside your vehicle.

After the blast, you have 10 to 20 minutes to get indoors and underground, as far away from the nuclear fallout radius as possible. If possible, choose brick or concrete buildings to avoid the most radiation.

Once you’ve sheltered

If you’re already inside, stay inside. Seek the depths of whatever building you’re sheltered in. Find the lowest possible level in the middle of the building. Find the basement, if there is one, or go to the center of the building. Avoid windows and exterior walls.

Decontaminate

Once inside the shelter, remove contaminated outer clothing and wash off your skin, if possible. If you brought your emergency kit, you’ll have wipes and fresh clothing. Clean up as soon as you can, as any radioactive particles on your skin or clothing will continue to poison you. If possible, shower and wash off with lots of soap and water. You can use shampoo for your hair but stay away from conditioner; it causes radioactive material to stick to your hair. The Centers for Disease Control recommends you wipe your ears and your eyes, and blow your nose as well.

Discard any contaminated clothing by sealing it up in a plastic bag. Outerwear, like jackets and coats, can carry as much as much as 90 percent of the radioactive material on your body. Be careful when removing your clothing to ensure that no radioactive dust falls off and contaminates other items.

How to Survive a Nuclear Attack in the Aftermath

fire department emergency responders — Image CC0, by Military_Material, via Pixabay

Radiation dissipates rapidly a few days after the explosion, and it won’t be long before you can leave the shelter. However, the first 24 to 48 hours are the most dangerous. Plan to remain in the shelter for at least one day, although the longer you can stay in, the better. By the 15th day, the radiation’s intensity will have dropped to 1 percent of the initial level. This dramatically increases the chances of how to survive a nuclear attack.

Keep calm and stay informed

Although you may worry, never leave your shelter to find family members or pets. That’s why it’s important to make a family plan ahead of time. Your cell phone, TV, and internet services may not work after a nuclear attack because of the EMP. It’s also possible that radio stations will be affected by the blast. Your hand-crank or battery operated radio should work perfectly, though. Use either to stay tuned for official announcements and safety instructions. You may also want to receive notification of open emergency services centers.

Listen to your emergency radio or, if accessible, a local television channel, for updates on the impact, any rescue efforts, and available assistance resources. The better informed you are, the easier it will be to keep calm and stay positive.

Now You Know How to Survive a Nuclear Attack

Preparing for a nuclear attack isn’t something we like to think about. The 20-year gap since the end of the Cold War has made it easy to forget such things were ever possible. However, times again are changing. International tensions may mean that we have to think about how to survive a nuclear attack as seriously as we did 50 years ago.

Also, new technology may redefine how people prepare and change the dangers we face. Along with attack, the threat of other nuclear disasters with nearby power plants and waste sites may require the same vigilance and similar safety measures. A nuclear blast is something none of us would ever want to experience. However, it’s better to know what to do than not knowing at all.

Featured Image: CC0, by lenzius, via Pixabay

The 7 Dangers of Nuclear Waste: How Does It Affect Us?

Nuclear power, also referred to as radioactive power, provides various benefits. This includes powering the heat and electricity in our homes, and it does so with little to no greenhouse gas emissions. However, when nuclear power is mishandled, or if nuclear waste is stored improperly, it can become hazardous to living beings.

As a matter of fact, because the waste can remain active for millions of years, there are many dangers of nuclear waste, including the following seven hazards.

1. It Contaminates the Environment

If improperly sealed, nuclear pollution can easily spread over the area and into different ecosystems as well as the water, air, and ground, which can become contaminated and cause harm to all living organisms.

Radiation is threatening to living beings because it damages the body’s cells, which can ultimately cause cancer, cell death, and other irreversible destruction. In fact, biologists have found a correlation between the leakage of nuclear liquid into the ocean from the 2011 incident in Fukushima and an increase of skin ulcers in walruses and seals in Alaska, which demonstrates the global effect of radioactive contamination.

2. There Is No Guaranteed Safe or Long-Term Storage

It is common practice to store nuclear waste deep in the earth’s structure. There, it should be safeguarded for a long time. For example, our oceans and seas are commonly used as storage places for nuclear waste due to their large volume. They can dilute radiation and store numerous nuclear waste-filled containers.

However, one of the dangers of nuclear waste storage is that no one can guarantee the sustainability of these storage facilities. For instance, shifting tectonic plates or erosion can obstruct these deep storage repositories.

There is also no guarantee that these storages will remain untouched by future generations who may not fully understand their threat. It is also not known how or if it will impact the safety of nearby communities.

3. It Causes Long-Term Health Effects

It is a known fact that nuclear substances cause acute radiation symptoms, such as hair loss and seizures. We also know that these substances cause serious long-term health problems. However, it is extremely difficult to calculate the impact of radiation on the human body because of the underlying way it affects our body’s cells.

In fact, many problems are so unpronounced that doctors cannot determine if they were ultimately caused by radiation or other factors such as genetics or unhealthy living.

Some chronic health issues associated with radiation include cancers, gastrointestinal diseases, diseases of the nervous system, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes.

4. It’s Expensive and Hazardous to Cleanup

It is both costly and hazardous to clean up nuclear waste due to its dangerous nature. For instance, engineers have discovered that some containers located beneath the forest in Germany have shown serious signs of collapse, cracks, and leaking. This means the nuclear waste should be removed.

However, some experts believe that removing the waste can cause more harm than leaving it unmoved. Moreover, the security measures for the investigations alone are estimated at more than $150 million per year. This makes it a very expensive cleanup.

5. Nuclear Waste Processing Is Very Polluting

During nuclear waste processing, plutonium is divided from the used uranium fuel through various chemical reactions. The Plutonium is then used to construct nuclear weapons, or it is used as a new fuel. However, chemical processes used to break down used fuel rods produce even more waste. This presents more dangers of nuclear waste because it also needs to be stored away safely.

Nuclear waste is also an extremely messy process. For instance, studies show that La Hauge in France, one of the largest nuclear-reprocessing facilities in the world, has radioactive discharge similar to that of the Chernobyl incident.

Furthermore, plutonium is one of the most toxic substances ever known to mankind. And since it builds up in the liver and bones of individuals, it is hard to estimate its effects.

6. Plutonium Extraction Increases the Risk of Nuclear Production

Nuclear reprocessing brings with it various reasons to be concerned. For instance, it could be used to end lives. A good example of this is with World War II. It resulted in the death of over 200,000 people after the U.S. released nuclear bombs on Nagasaki and Hiroshima.

Additionally, reprocessing used nuclear fuel rods to produce plutonium creates a favorable circumstance in which plutonium could be stolen and used to make nuclear bombs or weapons, such as by terrorists or territories looking to expand their nuclear weapon production.

7. The Release of Radioactivity into the Environment Can Go Unnoticed for Many Years

Politics vary from nation to nation. This means governments do not always share the same regards for environmental protection or safety for their citizens. Therefore, if radioactivity is released into the environment, it can take many years before it is noticed.

For instance, reports show that in 1986 when the Chernobyl reactor exploded, Soviet officials stayed quiet about the occurrence. They possibly exposed other regions to high levels of radiation. In fact, just a few days following the occurrence, the nuclear mass reached Sweden where radiation levels reached well over 30% above normal.

The Bottom Line

Though nuclear power is one of the most efficient, reliable, and affordable ways to generate power around the world, it also carries with it many risks. This raises the question Is it worth it?

As a matter of fact, due to the various dangers of nuclear waste, there are efforts to fund cleaner, renewable forms of energy, and it is also affordable and safer for the environment. In the meantime, the dangers of nuclear waste impact all of us.

If you have experienced the dangers of nuclear waste firsthand or simply want to share your own insight into the subject, feel free to leave a comment sharing your involvement with or concerns about the dangers of nuclear waste.

Image Source: 1, 2, 3

Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Disaster Facts You Should Know

The harnessing of nuclear power is a fitting tribute to the impressive ingenuity of the human race. Abundant electricity the world over—otherwise generated by fossil fuels—is a product of nuclear power. While devastating accidents show up in the history of nuclear energy, each has nevertheless inspired new safeguards and preventions. Nature, however, can override our resourcefulness. It can also remind us of our limits. The disaster at Fukushima Daiichi reminds us in seven ways.

1. Meltdown of Three Reactors

On March 11, 2011, an earthquake registering at 9.0 on the Richter scale caused severe seismic disruption in east Japan. Centered 130 km to the east of Honshu Island, the quake endured for three minutes. It also triggered horizontal movement of the tectonic plates beneath the sea. This unsettling gave birth to a tsunami that ultimately flooded 560 square miles. While taking 19,000 lives, it ruined over a million structures. Destruction remains even now.

Significantly, this region is home to four nuclear power plants, operating eleven reactors among them. When the earthquake began, all of them shut down as programmed in the event of an emergency. Within a few days, eight of the eleven reactors achieved “cold shutdown.” This means the coolant system dropped below 200˚F and reached atmospheric pressure. At Fukushima Daiichi, however, three reactors—and their cooling systems—lost power as the tsunami flooded that facility. The back-up generators also ceased functioning. Thus the mechanisms for dumping waste heat and decay heat did not kick in, leaving the reactor cores vulnerable to meltdown.

2. Rated a “Major Accident”by IAEA

The danger and consequences related to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster facts are underscored by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Using a ranking known as the International Nuclear Event Scale (INES), the IAEA had a range of designations from which to choose. INES labels the least consequential events of no significance, or simply anomalies. At the far end of the scale are “serious accident” and, worst of all, “major accident.” The episode at Fukushima Daiichi received the latter.

In determining an INES rating, the IAEA uses three factors: 1) how the event affects people and the environment; 2) the status of radiological controls and protection; and 3) defense in depth, or the operation of redundant layers of safeguards. Fukushima Daiichi ranked the most dangerous because of the high level of radioactive emissions. Four to six days after the earthquake, instruments detected 940 peta–becquerels (standard measuring unit for radioactive releases).

3. Four Reactors Out of Commission

Among the lesser known Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster facts is that a fourth reactor—shut down the previous autumn for repairs—suffered an explosion four days later. The cause of this accident was the rising hydrogen in unit 3, with which unit 4 shared ducts. Unit 4 therefore received the backflow from an overheating core. This blast destroyed the top of the facility and further impaired unit 3. According to the INES scale, the explosion at unit 4 earned a 3 rating—a “serious incident.” Units one through three did not enter cold shutdown status until nine months later.

4. Three Energy Executives Charged

Earthquakes and tsunamis are phenomena beyond human control. Thus it is easy to assume that the company operating the nuclear facility would face no liability. Not quite. An examination of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster facts led Japanese authorities in 2017 to indict three leaders of the Tokyo Electric Power company (Tepco) on the grounds of professional negligence. Evidence indicates that the executives had access to prophetic information. Simulated studies accounted for a similar-size tsunami based on the same earthquake magnitude as that of March, 2011. Worse, this research also predicted a power outage and resulting meltdowns. The Japanese government contends that the three men apathetically discarded the study in spite of its dire warnings.

5. Tracking Radioactive Leaks

The primary concern among the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster facts under review was the dispersal of volatile iodine-131 and caesium-137 into the air and water. These fission products are known to affect long-term contamination in the soil and in lakes, rivers and streams. Yet managers were faced with a major challenge: the same tsunami that knocked out the cooling systems also rendered the emission monitoring systems inoperative. Neither the government nor Tepco could establish certainty as to the concentration of emissions or hazardous content of leaks. Nevertheless, educated guessing determined that runoff from the site into the ocean exceeded safe levels of radionuclides, i.e. atoms with unstable nuclei.

6. No Deaths from Radiation Sickness

It was one of the worst atomic accidents ever. Yet surprising Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster facts reveal that no deaths or illnesses due to radiation were reported. The swift evacuation of 150,000 residents within a 20 km radius of the power plant likely gets credit for this happy outcome. There is a fine line, however, between quick thinking and haste. Evacuation stress may very well be complicit in at least a thousand deaths—mostly elderly persons— during the exodus.

7. Return and Reconstruction

Less surprising is the slow pace of recovery in the ensuing years. The first wave of repopulation began three years after the accident. Each subsequent year, other towns and sections were re-opened for habitation. Many people chose not to return. During the years immediately following the disaster, the government subsidized evacuees to the tune of 7.54 trillion yen to date. Those subsidies will soon phase out so some may have no chance but to go back to their homes near the plant. This bleak prospect is one of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster facts that the world may not know about.

Summing Up

In an age where the policy makers of the world seek to employ cleaner energy sources, nuclear power is a logical alternative…until accidents occur. Whether by natural forces, human error or technological glitch, malfunctions at nuclear plants yield serious repercussions and long-term ecological damage. Fukushima Daiichi is proof positive.

Image from depositphotos.com.

10 Catastrophic Man-Made Environmental Disasters

Human activity is responsible for some devastating attacks on the natural world. Many of these man made environmental disasters could have been avoided if not for human greed, negligence, and carelessness. Here are ten of the world’s worst man made environmental disasters, listed chronologically.

1. Nuclear Testing at Bikini Atoll

Operation Crossroads Baker — Image Source: Wikipedia

Bikini, or Pikinni, Atoll is an island group in the Marshall Islands chain. The man made environmental disasters on the ring of islands began in 1946 when the U.S. began testing nuclear weapons there. Twenty-three devices were exploded between 1946 and 1958 on and around the islands. As a result, 167 Marshallese residents of the islands were forced to relocate. Bikini Atoll is no longer suitable for human habitation as a result.

Residents of nearby Utrik Atoll suffered acute radiation sickness. So did the 23 fishermen and crew members aboard the Japanese vessel the Daigo Fukuryū Maru. The ship’s radio operator, Aikichi Kuboyama, died as a result. Wildlife including the atoll’s coral reef were severely affected, with the effects still being present as recently as 2017. Nurse sharks are still being born with mutations caused by exposure to radiation.

2. Minamata Disease

Old picture of Chisso Corporation, Japan, responsible for one of the greatest man made environmental disasters — Chisso Corporation (Image Source: CARI Infonet)

In 1956, residents of the town of Minamata in Japan began experiencing neurological symptoms of mercury poisoning. They were exposed to toxic levels of mercury from eating the fish out of Minamata Bay, which was contaminated by industrial pollution by the Chisso Corporation. To this day, Chisso Corporation makes compensation payments to the victims. More than 2,200 people died as a result of methylmercury contamination.

3. Love Canal

Love Canal, Niagara Falls, New York — Image Source: Pinterest

Love Canal was a planned community in Niagara Falls, New York. William T. Love, the town’s eponymous planner, fell into financial difficulties, and the canal was used as a landfill and for dumping industrial waste. In the early 1950s, the dump was closed. Around the same time, the town experienced an economic and population boom. Families moved in and began having children.

Residents had long complained about unusual smells, substances, and an oily black runoff present in their yards and fields around the town, especially around the canal. Unknowingly, residents were being exposed to toxic industrial runoff, including benzene, dioxin, PCBS, toluene, and chloroform. They suffered a greater than average number of miscarriages, birth defects, neurological conditions, and abnormal white blood cell counts that can be a precursor to leukemia.

On August 7, 1978, then-president Jimmy Carter declared the site a federal health emergency. A 1979 study showed the 33 percent of Love Canal residents suffered chromosomal damage, compared to about one percent of the U.S. population as a whole.

4. The Amoco Cadiz Oil Spill

On March 16, 1978, the oil tanker Amoco Cadiz hit a rock off the coast of Brittany, France. This caused the control room to flood and led to the sinking of the ship. The shipwreck resulted in the spilling of 1.6 million barrels of light crude oil and 4,000 tons of fuel oil spilling into the Atlantic Ocean. Although the Deepwater Horizon disaster released more oil, the Cadiz disaster resulted in the greatest loss of aquatic wildlife as a result of an oil spill in human history.

5. Bhopal Disaster

Bhopal Disaster, India — Image Source: theCHIVE

On December 2, 1984, an industrial accident at the Union Carbide India Limited pesticide plant released methyl isocyanate into the air. It caused the worst industrial disaster in the world’s history. Between 2,200 and 3,700 were killed by the gas release, an additional 558,000 were injured, and 3,900 were permanently disabled. An estimated 8,000 people died within two weeks of the release of the gas, mostly from respiratory failure. Inadequate safety equipment contributed to the disaster.

Drinking water is contaminated since pesticides from the now-abandoned plant have seeped into it. It was estimated in 2014 that 120,000 people still live with health effects of the disaster.

6. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch

This floating example of man made environmental disasters was discovered some time between 1985 and 1989. The currents of the North Pacific Gyre (a marine ecosystem) trap particles of marine debris that includes chemical sludge and pelagic plastics. These particles are so small they can be hard to detect with the naked eye and can’t be seen using satellite photography. Although this makes it difficult to estimate the size of the debris field, some researchers believe it may be as large as eight percent of the total area of the Pacific Ocean.

Scientists believe the origin of these plastics is littering and improper industrial waste disposal. This includes the disposal of nets and other gear used by the fishing industry. The effects of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch aren’t fully known. However, the particles that compose it are small enough to be ingested by marine wildlife which then enter the food chain. Byproducts of the breakdown of plastics include toxic molecules such as bisphenol A (BPA) and polystyrene derivatives.

7. Chernobyl Disaster

Danger sign at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant — Image Source: Pinterest

On April 26, 1986, the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Pripyat, Ukraine (then part of the USSR) experienced an uncontrolled reaction incident, resulting in a steam explosion followed by a fire. Updrafts resulting from the fire released nuclear fission materials into the atmosphere. It contaminated the environment of the western USSR and parts of Europe.

The investigation revealed this man made environmental disaster was caused by design flaws at the plant and operator errors made during a shut-down safety test. Further errors were made in trying to contain the accident. Firefighters who arrived on scene weren’t told that they were entering the scene of a nuclear accident; they thought they were responding to an electrical fire. Nor was Pripyat evacuated immediately.

Two employees of the plant died immediately at the scene, 28 more of acute radiation sickness, and 14 more died of exposure to the radiation over the next decade. Four kilometers of forest died and the water system became contaminated. Furthermore, fish in the rivers were inedible for years afterward due to radioactive contamination. It is difficult to estimate how many people died as a result of the accident since there was a systematic cover-up by the Soviet Union. However, as many as 9,000 may have died from acute radiation sickness and long-term exposure to radioactivity. This makes the Chernobyl incident among the deadliest of man made environmental disasters.

8. The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill

Exxon Valdez Oil Spill, Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound off the coast of Alaska — Image Source: Imgur

On March 24, 1989, an oil tanker ship named the Exxon Valdez struck the Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound off the coast of Alaska. The shipwreck caused more than 10.8 million gallons of crude oil to spill into the sound.

As many as 250,000 seabirds died as a result. Sea otters, river otters, bald eagles, salmon, herring, and orcas were some of the other species whose long-term health and survival rates were affected. Additionally, the 2-butoxyethanol used in the clean-up caused health problems for the clean-up crew.

An investigation determined the cause of the shipwreck to be an insufficient number of crew members, an overworked crew, and a steering error by the third mate. At that time, Exxon Shipping Company regularly overworked and undermanned its oil tankers, a recipe for man made environmental disasters.

9. Kuwaiti Oil Fires

Kuwaiti Oil Fires, a result of the first Persian Gulf War in 1991 — Image Source: Wikipedia

This man made environmental disaster was a result of the first Persian Gulf War in 1991. Iraqi military forces retreating from Kuwait, the country Iraq had unlawfully invaded, set fire to between 600 and 732 Kuwaiti oil wells, oil lakes, and trenches. This act of sabotage resulted in severely reduced air quality for the people and wildlife of Kuwait and the surrounding countries. More than 40 million tons of earth and sand were contaminated with oil and soot as a result of the largest oil spill in human history. Plant life was affected through 1995. Since oil from the spill continues to seep into the ground, human drinking water may continue to be affected in the future.

10. Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

Deepwater Horizon offshore drilling unit on fire — Image Source: Wikipedia

The largest maritime oil spill in human history, this man made environmental disaster on April 20, 2010 killed 11 people and dumped 4.9 million barrels of crude oil in the Gulf of Mexico. Cost-cutting measures by the British Petroleum (BP) company that owned the Deepwater Horizon oil rig, the rig’s operator Transocean, and the contractor Halliburton led to neglect of equipment and unsafe working conditions. This resulted in an explosion and subsequent oil spill. BP officials pleaded guilty to 11 counts of manslaughter. The company was also temporarily banned from contracts with the U.S. government.

The Bottom Line

These disasters remind us that not only are human beings quite fragile, but our earth is fragile as well. Wildlife and water sources can easily become contaminated due to our activity. If we want everyone on our planet, human or otherwise, to live long, healthy lives, we’ll have to be better caretakers than this.

The 5 Nuclear Waste Disposal Methods

Nuclear energy is commonly used in areas around the world today because it is a cost-effective way to produce a considerable amount of energy necessary for basic functions. Some medical facilities also produce this type of waste. While there are several nuclear waste disposal methods used by countries around the world, the issue of disposing of this incredible amount of waste is a growing concern for a justified reason.

By understanding more about current nuclear waste disposal methods, you may be able to see where the issues lie with some of the disposal methods currently being used.

1. Waste Remains On-Site at Power Plants

nuclear waste being stored at THORP processing plant — THORP Fuel Storage (Image Source: World-Nuclear.org)

Altogether, approximately 2,000 to 2,300 tons of radioactive nuclear waste are generated at energy plants around the world. When you are exploring the various nuclear waste disposal methods available, it is important to note that the waste is typically described as being either high-level waste or used fuel waste.

This waste may be in a solid or liquid form, and there are also waste products with low or intermediate levels of radioactivity. One of the more common nuclear waste disposal methods available for the high-level waste is to simply store the waste on-site at the power plants. This is done when there simply is no other reasonable method available for dealing with highly toxic waste products.

Special chemicals are usually used to pull uranium fuel out of specialized rods at nuclear power plants. As the chemicals extract the uranium from the rods, toxic liquid waste is generated by the chemicals. In addition, used rods are another form of waste.

Approximately 29,000 tons of used rods are currently in the world, and many of these sit in cooling pools located on-site at the nuclear power plants. This is not a long-term solution for dealing with this waste, however. This is because the available space on-site at various nuclear power plants is very limited.

More than that, the radiation can seep into the liquid in the ponds, and this could potentially contaminate ground water. You can see that this type of disposal method for dealing with nuclear waste is simply not ideal.

2. Waste Is Buried in a Landfill

one of the most common nuclear waste disposal methods is to bury it in a landfill — Nevada Radioactive Waste Dump (Image Source: Emaze)

When you are looking at the many nuclear waste disposal methods, it is also important to note that some waste actually makes its way to landfills, and this may include landfills that are located close to your home. Low-level radiation waste is usually compacted tightly or otherwise burned.

After one of these methods is applied to the waste, it is usually transported to a landfill. It simply sits in the landfill along with other types of waste that finds its way to landfills. This creates some level of radioactivity at these landfills, and some people are concerned about how this waste is impacting the environment.

For example, some birds may consume waste products at landfills, and pollution can also enter the air and water supply through the landfills.

3. Waste Is Solidified and Buried at a Deeper Level

underground disposal of nuclear waste — Underground Nuclear Waste Disposal (Image Source: Flickr)

Some nuclear reactors also create an intermediate-level of waste that requires more specialized handling. For example, this type of reactor waste typically must be solidified before it can be dumped in a landfill. It most commonly is turned into bitumen or concrete.

This solid waste material is then taken to a landfill for disposal. Generally, it must be buried deeper in the landfill and requires special handling. Nonetheless, some level of toxic radiation can still seep into the environment as a result of this type of waste handling method.

4. Waste Is Sealed and Stored in Approved Locations

Another common option for nuclear waste disposal methods relates to storing the material in off-site and approved locations. There are several locations across the country and beyond that are licensed for storing this type of waste, but many people have issues with these facilities being located close to their home or workplace. After all, issues related to earthquakes and other factors can create a serious risk of radiation exposure.

There are various types of storage facilities in the United States to handle different types of nuclear waste. For example, a facility in Barnwell, SC accepts waste from nuclear reactors. An Andrews County, Texas facility accepts compact waste. There are also other facilities located in Utah and Washington.

These facilities typically use either horizontal or vertical storage containers, and these containers are usually located above ground. While steps are taken to keep them properly maintained and in good condition, the reality is that the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster issue caused by an earthquake and subsequent tsunami is a prime example for the reason for concern regarding nuclear waste and how it is handled.

5. The Controversial Space Disposal

Another method of disposal for nuclear waste is known as space disposal. With this type of method, the nuclear waste is solidified. After it has been solidified, it is launched into the earth’s orbit. Then, it is sent beyond the orbit. This option is rather expensive, but it solves the problem of an increasing amount of nuclear waste being stored on the planet.

When the waste has been permanently removed from the planet, natural disasters and other related issues are not a concern. However, some opponents of this type of plan are concerned about the possibility of the space vehicle or rocket that is being used to transport the waste potentially exploring en route. The effects of this type of disaster are unknown and worrisome.

Summing Up

Many people unfortunately assume that all of the waste being generated by nuclear activities worldwide is properly being disposed of. However, you can see that waste is not always eliminated at all. Instead, it is simply stored on-site or in an approved off-site location.

This means that much of toxic waste in the world is growing at a rapid pace rather than being eliminated it. This is a worrisome fact and we can only hope of discovering new methods of disposal soon.