Issue+Background+rasp2

toc =Radioactive Waste=

What is radioactive waste?
Radioactive waste is basically anything that emits energy (decays), waves or streams of energetic particles... It is waste that emits ionizing radiation. This includes used nuclear fuel, which is highly radioactive. There are four kinds of radiation: alpha, beta, gamma, and neutron. > > Alpha radiation is considered the most dangerous to the human body but least dangerous outside. While Beta and Gamma radiation are less dangerous to the body and are most likely to pass through human cells rather then being absorbed by them. But these rays are most dangerous outside of the body.
 * Neutron radiation usually only occurs in nuclear reactors.
 * Alpha radiation can be blocked by a sheet of paper, but can severely damage the lungs. It can't penetrate skin, either.
 * Beta radiation can penetrate the body, but can be blocked by aluminum foil.
 * Gamma can go through the body, and can only be blocked by a couple of centimeters of lead or concrete, or a meter of water.

How is radioactive waste produced?
It is usually produced when operating a nuclear plant or by the reprocessing of depleted nuclear fuel.

Why is radioactive waste dangerous?
Ionizing radiation is a high-energy form of radiation, and can damage the structure of matter that it penetrates. This will damage people and the environment in many ways until the radioactivity has decreased to an acceptable level, which can take over 30 years. That is why people are starting to care about where this waste is disposed of.

How do we dispose of the waste safely?
There are many ways to dispose of radioactive waste safely. The most favored method is to bury them in dry and stable rock structures at about 500 meters deep. They are sometimes stored in dry concrete containers or in special pools under water.

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