Class 10 Exam  >  Class 10 Questions  >  What are the harmful effects in nuclear power... Start Learning for Free
What are the harmful effects in nuclear power generation. ?
Most Upvoted Answer
What are the harmful effects in nuclear power generation. ?
1.Nuclear radiation accidents --The radioactive wastecoming from nuclear power plants is a great threat to Mother Nature and humans. The devastating effects of Chernobyl disaster still linger in our minds, where thegrave effects on humans can be seen even today. According to records, about 30, 000 people diedin the Chernobyl disaster, and over 2.5 million Ukrainians are still. dealing with the health tribulations associated with the nuclear waste.Only a few years back, a huge nuclear crisis occurred in Japan on March 8. Although the casualty rate was significantly lower than the Chernobyl disaster, the environmental impacts were disastrous. People who work at nuclear power plants and live nearthose areas are at high risk of facing nuclear radiations, if it happens.


*** According to these historical happenings, it’s evident that we cannot insulate ourselves 100% from these disasters. 1.Radioactive waste --'Radioactive wasteis any material,whether solid, liquid or gas that consists of a radioactive nuclear substance and the operators of the nuclear plant have determined that it’s a waste. Radioactive material is considered waste after it has spent more than 3 years in the reactor producing heat and electricity. This waste comes from nuclear reactors and needs to be disposed of or stored safelyand conveniently considering theyare highly dangerous and can let off radiations if disposed of incorrectly. The reason it has to be disposed of safely and appropriately is that it is able to emit radiations even after thousands of years. The storage or disposal of radioactive waste is the main reason slowing down expansion ofnuclear energy. Handling and safe storage can happen as long as it’s cooled and workers insulated from the radiation it emits by thick material such as steel, concrete or a few meters of water. Water is able to offer remarkablecooling and shielding, which meansa typical reactor can have its fuelremoved under water and safely transferred into a storage pool. After more than 5 years, the waste can be transferred into dry ventilated concrete containers. However, the radioactive waste can stay safely in the pool for over 50 years. 1.Requires high initial capital costs Another practical disadvantage of using nuclear energy is that it needs a lot of investment to set up a nuclear power station. Constructing anuclear power plantrequires massive capital outlay. For example, between the year 2002 to 2008, the cost of constructing a new power plant increased from between $2 billionto $4 billion per unit to a staggering $9 billion per unit. Thenew constructions occurring in Europe today are estimated to surpass the $10 billion mark each, not to mention it takes 5-10 years to be fully operational, plus construction requires completion of a multitude of legal formalities **Eutrophication leading to death of aquatic life ---Eutrophicationis extensive enrichment of the lake and other water bodies by nutrients, mostly due to runoff from land. This process causes dense growth of plant life eventually leading to death of aquatic life as a result of lack of oxygen. Radioactive waste can cause this problem. Many seminars take place across the world to find a solid solution to this potential problem, but a solution is not yet in sight. According to scientists, radioactive wastes take about 10, 000 years to neutralize. **Impact on humans -'''The impacts of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki nuclear bombs during the Second World War are still rife in our memories. Today, the effects of these bombs are still occurring. Children in Japan are being born with defects. This makes a nuclear power plant moredangerous, especially in this day and age of high threat of terrorism. Terrorists can take advantage and deliberately causenuclear meltdown. This is why stringent safeguards including permission to construct a nuclear power plant and maximum security are put in place to mitigate this potential catastrophe from happening. **It’s not a renewable energy source ---'The raw material for generation of nuclear energy is uranium. Uranium is mined, which means it’s not available in many countries. It’s also a scarce resource. Most countries export this mineral for nuclear energy production. Once uranium is completely extracted, there will be no nuclear energy production. Because of its dangerous effectsand limited in supply, it doesn’t qualify as a renewable resource. **.National Risk --Nuclear energy has given us the power to produce more weapons than to produce things that can make the world a better place to live in. We have to become more careful and responsible while using nuclear energy to avoid any sort of major accidents. They are hot targets for militants and terrorist organizations. Security is a major concern here. A little lax in security can prove to be lethal and brutal for humans and even for this planet. **Fuel Availability --Unlikefossil fuels which are available to most of the countries,uranium is very scarce resource and exist in only few of the countries.
Community Answer
What are the harmful effects in nuclear power generation. ?
Nuclear Power Generation: Harmful Effects


Nuclear power generation is a method of producing electricity using nuclear reactors. While it has several advantages, such as its ability to generate large amounts of electricity and its low greenhouse gas emissions, there are also significant harmful effects associated with this form of energy production.

1. Radioactive Waste

Nuclear power plants produce radioactive waste, which remains hazardous for thousands of years. This waste contains radioactive isotopes that can cause severe health risks if not properly managed and disposed of. The long-term storage and disposal of nuclear waste pose significant challenges, as leaks or accidents could contaminate the environment and pose a threat to human health.

2. Accidents and Disasters

The potential for accidents and disasters in nuclear power plants is a major concern. Catastrophic events, such as the Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear accidents, have demonstrated the devastating consequences that can arise from a nuclear power plant failure. These accidents release large amounts of radiation into the environment, leading to immediate health effects, long-term health risks, and significant environmental contamination.

3. Health Risks

Exposure to radiation can have severe health effects, including an increased risk of cancer, genetic mutations, and other illnesses. Workers in nuclear power plants and nearby communities are at risk of exposure to radiation, especially in the event of accidents or leaks. Additionally, the transportation of radioactive materials can also pose health risks if accidents occur during transit.

4. Environmental Impact

Nuclear power generation has environmental impacts throughout its lifecycle. The mining and processing of uranium, the fuel used in nuclear reactors, can lead to habitat destruction, soil and water pollution, and the displacement of local communities. Additionally, the cooling systems in nuclear power plants often require large amounts of water, which can disrupt aquatic ecosystems and harm marine life.

5. Nuclear Proliferation

The use of nuclear power can contribute to the proliferation of nuclear weapons. The materials and technologies involved in nuclear power generation can be potentially misused for the development of nuclear weapons. This poses a global security risk and increases the potential for conflicts and instability.

In conclusion, while nuclear power generation offers certain benefits, including its efficiency and low carbon emissions, it also carries significant harmful effects. The proper management of radioactive waste, prevention of accidents, protection of human health, mitigation of environmental impacts, and addressing nuclear proliferation concerns are crucial in ensuring the safe and responsible use of nuclear power.
Attention Class 10 Students!
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed Class 10 study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in Class 10.
Explore Courses for Class 10 exam

Top Courses for Class 10

What are the harmful effects in nuclear power generation. ?
Question Description
What are the harmful effects in nuclear power generation. ? for Class 10 2024 is part of Class 10 preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the Class 10 exam syllabus. Information about What are the harmful effects in nuclear power generation. ? covers all topics & solutions for Class 10 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for What are the harmful effects in nuclear power generation. ?.
Solutions for What are the harmful effects in nuclear power generation. ? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for Class 10. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for Class 10 Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of What are the harmful effects in nuclear power generation. ? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of What are the harmful effects in nuclear power generation. ?, a detailed solution for What are the harmful effects in nuclear power generation. ? has been provided alongside types of What are the harmful effects in nuclear power generation. ? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice What are the harmful effects in nuclear power generation. ? tests, examples and also practice Class 10 tests.
Explore Courses for Class 10 exam

Top Courses for Class 10

Explore Courses
Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev