People also ask
Does nuclear power cause air pollution?
One such study concluded that the use of nuclear power has prevented about 1.84 million air pollution-related deaths. The same study also estimated that by replacing fossil fuel with nuclear power an additional 420,000 鈥?7.04 million future air pollution deaths could be prevented.
How does nuclear energy affect the environment?
Since nuclear energy currently provides 10% of the total electricity generation in the world, it鈥檚 important to take into account the impact it has on the environment. Nuclear waste is categorized into two: low-level waste and high-level waste.
What happens to radioactive waste from nuclear power plants?
Most of the radioactivity associated with nuclear power remains contained in the fuel in which it was produced. This is why used fuel is classified as high-level radioactive waste. Nuclear fuel is used to produce electricity for about five years. Then, it鈥檚 removed and safely stored until a permanent disposal site becomes available.
What happens to used nuclear fuel?
Most of the radioactivity associated with nuclear power remains contained in the fuel in which it was produced. This is why used fuel is classified as high-level radioactive waste.