Nuclear energy hazards

Thorium, uranium, and plutonium are well known for their role as the basic fuels (or sources of fuel) for the release of nuclear energy (5). The importance of the remainder of the actinide group Hes at present, for the most part, in the realm of pure research, but a number of practical appHcations are also known (6). The actinides present a storage-life problem in nuclear waste disposal and consideration is being given to separation methods for their recovery prior to disposal (see Waste treati nt, hazardous waste Nuclear reactors, waste managet nt). 

The data on probabilities given in this example are for illustration only, and do not represent actual data for these components. Some quantitive data on the reliability of instruments and control systems is given by Lees (1976). Examples of the application of quantitive hazard analysis techniques in chemical plant design are given by Wells (1996) and Prugh (1980). Much of the work on the development of hazard analysis techniques, and the reliability of equipment, has been done in connection with the development of the nuclear energy programmes in the USA (USAEC, 1975) and the UK. 

Nuclear energy, another source of hazards at DOE facilities, is not addressed in this document. 

GAO Report to Congress, "Nuclear energy dilemma disposing of hazardous radioactive waste safely", 73, 1977. 

A rapid reciprocating motion imparted to the liquid in a tower results in improved mass transfer. This action can be accomplished without parts and bearings in contact with the process liquids and consequently has found favor for handling hazardous and corrosive liquids as in nuclear energy applications. Most of the applications still are in that industry, but several other installations are listed by Lo et al. (1983, pp. 345, 366). Packed columns up to 3 m dia and 10 m high with throughputs in excess of 200 m3/hr are in use. 

Nuclear Energy Agency of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD/NEA) considers tritium as one of the four volatile, hazardous radionuclides ( H, Kr, and 1) that are created in nuclear cycle with long-term risk... 

Even nuclear power, both fission and one day fusion (the emulation on Earth of the Sun), depend on the skills of chemists. The construction of nuclear reactors depends on the availability of new materials, and the extraction of nuclear fuel in the form of uranium and its oxides from its ores involves chemistry. Everyone knows that one fear that holds back the development and public acceptance of nuclear energy, apart from political and economic problems, is the problem of how to dispose of the highly radioactive spent fuel. Chemists contribute by finding ways to extract useful isotopes from nuclear waste and by finding ways to ensure that it does not enter the environment and become a hazard for centuries. 

These are some current-awareness publications for many safety topics. They include occupational safety and health, products liability, environment, consumer products, food and drugs, workers compensation, nuclear energy, mine safety and health, chemicals, hazardous materials transportation, noise, insurance and loss control, and other topics important in safety and safety engineering. 

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