1. VII. Radioactive Waste

2. A. Types 1. 1.4 metric tons of waste per year per plant is produced
2. Can cause skin burns, mutation, or cancer
3. Measured in REMs- five per year is considered safe
a. 1 per x-ray
b. Now thought five is too much

3. 4. High level wastes
a. Uranium fuel rods, control rods, and coolant water
b. Extremely dangerous
5. Mid-low level wastes
a. Mine wastes, plant worker clothes, hospital wastes
b. Dangerous because more common

4. B. Disposal
1. High levels last 1000’s of years, low level waste about 300
2. Must be sealed in tough containers
a. Glass blocks resist corrosion
3. Many times sit and wait to be discarded

5. a. Leak and contaminate ground
b. The estimated cost to clean up one weapons facility was billion dollars
c. Same problem is encountered with mid level wastes