Problem
Environmental pollution by nuclear reactors
Other Names:
Radiation pollution from reactorsHeat pollution from nuclear power plants
Nature:
Nuclear reactors, and particularly those used for the generation of electricity, pollute the environment by their thermal and radioactive discharges. The radioactive discharges may be considerably magnified as a result of reactor accidents, faulty safety precautions, faulty construction or human error. These considerations make it very difficult to select suitable sites for reactors.
In the case of thermal discharges, nuclear plants may inject over 60% more heat to the condenser cooling water than do the most modern fossil-fuelled plants of the same size. Radioactive pollution from a nuclear reactor is created by fission in the reactor core. Some of the radionuclides created by the process escape along various pathways to the environment. The actual emission level depends on the reactor type and the funds invested in containing it. There is disagreement concerning how much radiological pollution from such a source should be officially tolerated.
Narrower Problems:
Vulnerability of nuclear power sourcesEnvironmental hazards of decommissioned nuclear power plants Aggravates:
Plutonium pollution Strategies:
Involving local communities in pollution controlProtecting global environmentReducing environmental pollution by nuclear reactorsMonitoring pollution by nuclear reactors Values:
Pollution References:
United Nations: Impact of Nuclear Releases into the Aquatic EnvironmentStockholm International Peace Research Institute: Nuclear Radiation in Warfare Subject(s):
Environment → Environment Fundamental Sciences → Heat
Fundamental Sciences → Radiation
Industry → Utilities
Resources → Energy
Societal Problems → Pollution
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
D: Detailed problems Date of last update
03.06.2019 – 18:22 CEST