Perspectives on the high level waste disposal problem

Abstract

The problem of high level nuclear waste disposal can be brought into perspective by comparing the waste produced by the nuclear industry with that produced by other electricity generating industries. Negative health effects of the waste produced by these industries can be measured and compared by calculating the risks of fatalities produced by standard waste disposal techniques. This comparison, both on a long term (millions of years) and on a relatively short term (500 years) basis, shows that the health risks are far greater for the coal burning industry and that those for the nuclear industry are minimal and controllable. Further, the author asserts that the nuclear industry is actually helping to reduce radon emissions, and thereby cancer fatalities, through the use and prudent disposal of source uranium.