Essay Sample on Radioactive Waste

How does fission contribute to radioactive waste? Radioactive waste is a waste that consist of radioactive material. It is a by-product of nuclear power generation and additional applications of nuclear fission. To start off, nuclear fission power plants produce unstable nuclei that will not help the environment. There are two types of radioactive waste high-level and low-level, and both are very hazardous. High level waste consists of uranium fuel, and it is used in nuclear power reactors. In the fission cycle, the uranium splits into two atoms, which allows us to have electricity. This process generates radioactive isotopes, they create heat and penetrating waste. The decaying process can vary from a few minutes to hours. In the second part of the cycle atoms capture neutrons that create fission that produces plutonium.  This has continued to go on for years because fission is creating it. As a society we must find resources that can help decrease the impact radioactive. Through each part heavier products produce that can take thousands of years to start breaking down. (NRC 1). These issues lead into deeper problems for humans as they go throughout life. It can cause skin burns, acute radiation syndrome, and long-term issues like cancer. That’s why they create regulations when it comes to handling the waste, so it does not harm the environment. “The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (U.S.NRC) regulates the operation of nuclear power plants” (Eia 1). The radioactive waste levels very from the natural background levels. There are two types of radioactive waste that are on the watch list. One that produces repressed commercial reactor fuel and a fewer amount of waste from the military activities. The different element after disposal can change their properties causing for them to have a different form and could be the leading cause to the harming the environment (Nature 1). Fission is the key component in radioactive waste. The contributions that it has created are causing more harm than good to the planet. If people do not start finding better ways to fix the issue, then the world as we know it will start to disappear.