Nuclear power; human’s most harmful substance, though is it still safe enough to hold the fuel rods? This question most likely came from an accident that happened with nuclear fuel rods while someone was working with them. After all it is estimated that per every million 600-1000 deaths are cause by nuclear power plants, 80% of those deaths are workers in the power plant according to Nuclear Facts. The reason why the question exists is because of the uncertainty of the public about the nuclear power; nuclear power is a concept that is very new (being created in World War II). Also, there have been some major accidents with nuclear waste, like in accident in Chelyabinsk, Russia. Luckily there were no confirmed casualties but the explosion had the power of 5-10 tons of TNT according to the Johnston Archive. When people hear “Nuclear Power” many think of a nuclear bomb, which is a devastating weapon of war. Many feel opposed to nuclear power because they are afraid of accidents and do not believe that people should be working that close with the nuclear matter.
To make the actual fuel rods, pellets of Uranium-235 and Uranium- 238 is put into the fuel rods. According to Wikipedia Uranium-235 is the most common uranium isotope found in the world and can be found everywhere in the world (in igneous rock). Most people have no clue what Uranium-235 is and if it is harmful or benign. Uranium-235 is mostly a benign substance. The half-life of Uranium-235 is 703,800,000 years and Uranium-235 has a half life of 4.46 billion years (WISE Uranium Project), which means both are an alpha level, meaning it is mostly benign. Though if Uranium-235 is inhaled, cancerous cells could be produced, so while U-235 is not very dangerous people should still be careful using it. However, after the fuel rods have been irradiated in a nuclear reactor they are the most radioactive substance known to mankind. They have to be disposed of in special areas so that the environment, animals, and people will not get hurt.
To make the actual fuel rods, pellets of Uranium-235 and Uranium- 238 is put into the fuel rods. According to Wikipedia Uranium-235 is the most common uranium isotope found in the world and can be found everywhere in the world (in igneous rock). Most people have no clue what Uranium-235 is and if it is harmful or benign. Uranium-235 is mostly a benign substance. The half-life of Uranium-235 is 703,800,000 years and Uranium-235 has a half life of 4.46 billion years (WISE Uranium Project), which means both are an alpha level, meaning it is mostly benign. Though if Uranium-235 is inhaled, cancerous cells could be produced, so while U-235 is not very dangerous people should still be careful using it. However, after the fuel rods have been irradiated in a nuclear reactor they are the most radioactive substance known to mankind. They have to be disposed of in special areas so that the environment, animals, and people will not get hurt.
In conclusion, nuclear fuel rods are safe to hold if they have not gone through the nuclear reactor. However, if the fuel rods have gone through the nuclear reactor then they are definitely not safe to hold (Wikipedia). According to the Energy Information Administration people should use gloves when handling the fuel rods just to prevent any complications even before use. Though nuclear power and nuclear fuel rods are very dangerous, if certain precautions are taken then there will be few or no accidents. The reality is that nuclear power has become safer than ever before and with the strict rules and regulations the nuclear power plants are under we could benefit extremely from nuclear power without having very many negatives.
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