Which issue associated with nuclear power is the biggest source of debate?

Answer 1

The biggest issue associated with nuclear power is determining what can be done with the radioactive waste.

Answer 2

How to deal with the radioactive waste

Answer 3

What to do with radioactive waste (Apex)

Answer 4

What to do with the nuclear waste in the long term. In the short term (say up to 50 yrs) it can be stored on the power station site, but a long term repository will have to be established eventually.

Answer 5

The only direct one is the use of cooling water, which may cause thermal pollution of rivers or lakes. In the long term there is or will be the need to store active material somewhere safe, but with careful handling this material need not be a source of pollution.

Answer 6

The major problem associated with nuclear power is what to do with the accumulating waste which is a by product of nuclear energy. Considering that U-238 has a half life of approximately 4.5 billion years; adequate safe storage is becoming a major problem.

Another factor is what is popularly known as the China Syndrome. Theoretically, a major nuclear accident at a nuclear power plant could burn through the earth's crust and come out on the opposite side of the planet.

There have been a couple of major accidents in the past; notibly Three Mile Island, the Russian fiasco, and more recently the breach of a nuclear facility in Japan due to a massive earthquake.

Notwithstanding all of the much vaunted failsafe features in modern nuclear plants, nuclear power is potentially dangerous.

Answer 7

Nuclear power creates toxic waste that must be stored forever.

Answer 8

Disposal of waste products continues to be a problem.

Answer 9

The biggest problem associated with nuclear power is that it's very very dangerous. (Radio activity)

Answer 10

What to do with radioactive waste (apex)