What can prevent radioactivity waste?

Answer 1

High level waste from discharged reactor fuel is extremely dangerous because of its high radioactivity, and much of this has long half-lives. Despite storing it on site for years, it will still be dangerous. If and when a long term repository is designated and approved for use, the waste fuel can be transported there. Provided it is contained in sealed and shielded containers, the transport can be made safe. Once in the repository, which must be carefully selected to avoid flood risks and should be in a low earthquake zone, it should be safe so long as access is denied to anyone who wants to create an incident, ie terrorists. Radioactive materials present the following problems: * They damage the containment vessel, and bathe the surroundings in radiation. * They frequently off gas. * They are frequently water soluble, since they are from the less electronegative end of the Periodic Table... and they oxidize. * They maintain high levels of radioactivity, sometimes for thousands of years. * They can be toxic / cancer producing in miniscule amounts. * They can only be manipulated into easily handled "packages" with equipment that typically then also is made radioactive. You either have to store them where water will not get to them for millenia to come, or dilute them to below background levels (in molecular or atom form, like a plasma) and simply handle them like dirt. They represent a real investment in orignally mining them, so eventually recycling them will be made much more difficult by dispersing them.

Answer 2

Proper disposal methods such as deep geological burial, reprocessing to extract usable materials, and using advanced reactor technologies to reduce waste production can help prevent radioactivity waste. Additionally, improving fuel cycle management and implementing stringent safety measures at nuclear facilities can minimize the generation of radioactive waste.