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The Pros And Cons Of Nuclear Power Production

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As the world’s resources are consumed rapidly, energy companies look towards alternative forms of energy production. One form of controversial energy source that has been used for many years is nuclear energy. Canadians are one of the top ten countries in electricity consumption per year. We adopt lifestyles that are difficult to sustain, due to our energy inefficient devices and consumption habits. Nuclear energy is constantly promoted to be safe and economically beneficial, however, due to a negative public perception of nuclear energy and its anthropogenic risks, the development of nuclear power plants is difficult. Analysis of the risks and benefits of nuclear power production is necessary in determining the reliability and safety of the …show more content…

Radioactive material can result in burns, toxicity, increased rates of cancer, decay of the bones and diseases of the blood. Radioactivity is tasteless and odorless and encourages the change of electrical charges in the body. If exposed to enough radiation it allows cells to freely convert into cancer cells. Humans have the ability to handle a specific amount of radioactivity before deemed dangerous. A nuclear reactor releases a small amount of radioactive particles into the atmosphere during normal function. The radioactive waste that is left over from the nuclear reactor mainly comprises of workers ' clothing, tools and other clothing articles that have come in contact with the radioactive dust produced in the production process. Production involves nuclear rods and the uranium used as fuel. The uranium that is used as a fuel source also turns into a waste product after fission. The used rods and uranium pellets are highly radioactive and cannot be placed in a landfill like most waste. The radioactive material is first cooled due to its extreme heat before mixing it with glass and placed in specialized containers and put underground or above depending on the nuclear plant standards. Nuclear waste must be monitored and regulated due to its volatile behaviour, which incurs large costs. The resources to develop a functioning nuclear power plant are presently available to us, however they are an expensive investment. It is very difficult for developing countries to be able to make the plants as they take upwards of 5-10 years to build in addition to the legal formalities that must be

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Nuclear power produces fewer carbon emissions than traditional energy sources because energy is not produced by burning molecules but splitting atoms. ‘An energy mix including nuclear power has the lowest impact on wildlife and Ecosystems’ as shown by a Conservation Biology paper. Consequently, greenhouse gas emissions have reduced by nearly half which shows the benefits and popularity of nuclear power use. Nuclear power has many environmental benefits such as small waste production, leaves no adverse effect on water, land or any habitats. By reducing fossil fuel consumption and switching to Nuclear Energy, we will sustain the environment, quality of air, improving the overall quality of

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The waste produced by the power plant has the ability to seek into the main water supply and the soil, evidently making the sources radioactive. Threats have also presented itself of possible attacks on a nuclear power plant. The dangerous and lethal effects that if a nuclear power plant were to have a meltdown are extreme. The radioactive material has the ability to travel and expand further than a uranium nuclear blast. The death toll will increase as radiation will travel for miles and miles reaching places that are not in near of the power plant.

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Humanity needs a lot of energy. It is needed for light, heat, transport and food in everyday life. For many years, the non-renewable resources of fossil fuels such as coal and oil have been the main sources of electricity. Recently, nuclear power is seen as a potential alternative source of great amounts of energy supply. The nuclear power plants that exist today provide approximately 13.5 percent of the world’s electricity (world Nuclear Association, 2013).

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