EFS class

Tuesday, 12 May 2020

In the following article on Nuclear Hazards, the signalling words and phrases are missing. Replace them and check your answers.

There are three separate sources of hazard related to the use of nuclear reactions to supply us with energy. Firstly, the radioactive material must travel from its place of manufacture to the power station. Although the power stations themselves are solidly built, the containers used for the transport of the material are not. Therefore there are normally only two methods of transport available, either road or rail, and both of these involve close contact with the general public, since the routes are bound to pass near, or even through, heavily populated areas. Secondly, there is the problem of waste. All nuclear power stations produce wastes which in most cases will remain radioactive for thousands of years. It is impossible to de-activate these wastes, and so they must be stored in one of the ingenious but cumbersome ways that scientists have invented. For example, they may be buried under the ground, dropped into disused mine shafts, or sunk in the sea. However, these methods do not solve the problem; they merely store it, since an earthquake could crack open the containers like nuts. Thirdly, there is the problem of accidental exposure due to a leak or an explosion at the power station. As with the other two hazards, this is extremely unlikely and so does not provide a serious objection to the nuclear programme, but it can happen, as the inhabitants of Harrisburg will tell you. Separately, and during short periods, these three types of risk are no great cause for concern. Taken together, though, and especially over much longer periods, the probability of a disaster is extremely high.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Millennials In The Work Place Summary: This is a report based on surveys on the mindset of the millennial generation and exploring h...