Radioactive Wastes: Type, Waste Management and Preventive Measure

Radioactive waste is a type of dangerous waste generated by any medical laboratory or a nuclear power plant. The radioactive wastes have radioactive contents in it that are dangerous for the environment. These radioactive contents include the elements such as Potassium, Radon, Uranium, Thorium, Carbon, Radium, and many others. These wastes are hazardous for mankind and cause radioactive wastes which in turn can cause cancer. The waste should be disposed of properly so that it can lose its radioactivity and be less harmful to the environment. The time for losing the radioactivity depends on the isotopes.

Key Takeaways: Radioactive waste, Pollution, Environment, Wastes, Potassium, Radon, Uranium, Thorium, Carbon, Radium, Cancer

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Radioactive Pollution

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It is generated using the radioactive wastes present in the environment. It can be responsible for many life-threatening situations that prevail in the environment due to improper disposal of radioactive wastes. It has adverse effects on human beings, animals, and the environment. Countries like France, Russia, and the UK have big reprocessing plants which have a capacity of 5000 tonnes every year. India, being a developing country, is researching the safe disposal of waste that can be disposed of into the land or the river. However, the government needs to take various measures to reduce the effect that radioactive materials cause in the environment.

Radioactive Wastes

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Types of Radioactive Wastes

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There are majorly three types of radioactive pollution that occur in the environment. These radioactive pollutants are:

• Very-Low Level Waste- While disposing of the materials like brick, pipes, plaster, concrete, plaster, etc. the very-low level of waste is formed. It is one of the weakest forms of radioactive wastes that exists in the environment.
• Low-Level Waste- It includes the waste generated by the industries and the hospitals. It can include tools, paper, cotton, rags, cloths, filters, etc. Also, they include short-lived radioactivity. To dispose of the low-level waste, we burn them. 90% of high-level radioactive wastes are present in the environment.
• Intermediate Level Waste- This waste requires the disposal of radioactive wastes by burying them well as it helps prevent contamination and is an intermediate level of radioactive wastes. They can include metal fuels, chemical sludge, and resins. 7% of high-level radioactive wastes is present in the environment.
• High-Level Waste- Burning of Uranium in nuclear reactors is a reason for high-level waste which is one of the strongest types of radioactive pollution found in the environment. These wastes require the use of cooling and shielding operations as they are very hot and radioactive. 3% of high-level radioactive wastes is present in the environment.

Types of Radioactive Wastes

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Prevention of Radioactive Wastes

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There can be several ways through which one can stop the effects and pollution caused by radioactive wastes. Due to these measures, one can achieve a pollution-free and clean environment that can be helpful in human evolution and would be sustaining. These preventive measures include:

• Do not combine the radioactive wastes with the non-radioactive wastes.
• Consume the radioactive materials as per the need and requirements.
• Reduce the toxicity and volume of the radioactive wastes using the reagents before disposing of them.
• Use the short-lived radioactive elements instead of using the radioactive substances.
• Try to follow a process that controls the radioactive pollution using less production of radioactive wastes.

Also Read: Types of Waste

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Prevention of Radioactive Pollution

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Radioactive wastes are a cause of radioactive wastes that exist in the water and air and are life-threatening if not disposed of properly. If a human gets in contact with the radioactive wastes at a high level, it can be life-threatening for him/her. Several diseases like Cancer, abnormalities, or birth defects can be found in a human. The government is required to take proper actions for the safe disposal of radioactive wastes. The cycle of waste management of radioactive wastes includes steps of possession, transportation, storage, and the disposal of the radioactive wastes. An example can be the explosion of the first atom bomb which happened during the second world war and have destroyed the flora and fauna. It had and still has many effects on the environment. Around 30% of the population were burned or were dead due to the radiation and the rest 30% were injured badly. Still, many countries want to be nuclear nations and are releasing huge amounts of nuclear waste to achieve it. 

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Things to Remember

• Radioactive wastes are the waste generated by nuclear power plants that have elements like Potassium, Radon, Uranium, Thorium, Carbon, Radium, and many others.
• It is harmful to mankind as it can cause several infections and cancer.
• Radioactive pollution is generated by radioactive wastes.
• There are four types of radioactive pollution namely very low-level waste, low-level waste, intermediate level waste, and high-level waste.
• The very-low level radioactive wastes includes brick, concrete, etc. which is the weakest form of radioactive wastes.
• High-level radioactive wastes is the waste that is strongest among the four types and can be caused by the elements like Uranium which is burnt in the nuclear reactor.
• Several measures can be taken to prevent radioactive pollution including the use of short-lived radioactive elements instead of radioactive elements and using reagents that can reduce the volume and toxicity of waste before it is disposed of.

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