An important source of “clean energy” is generated by nuclear fission. There are around 400 nuclear power plants all over the world generating as much as 15 % of the electricity that we utilize. Most nuclear reactors use radioactive or “enriched” Uranium as their fuel. The breakdown of heavy uranium atoms by neutrons or “nuclear fission” releases energy, which is then harnessed. This reaction is self-sustaining and produces large amount of heat that required coolants to control. During nuclear meltdowns, there is insufficient supply of coolant that could result in the hot Uranium melting through the steel reactor vessels and contaminating the outside world. Nuclear disasters are more damaging and devastating than natural calamities. The Chernobyl disaster in 1986 and the Three mile Island partial meltdown in 1979 were the worst nuclear mishaps in history.
Despite the benefits of nuclear energy, the utility of nuclear stations is debated because of the vast deteriorating effects of accidents due to malfunction resulting in a nuclear meltdown. The heat produced from a meltdown can cause build up of steam and gases that results in an explosion, resulting in radioactive particles contaminating vast areas around the incident. Along with the immediate damage to life and property due to the explosion, there are long-term effects of a meltdown. These effects are because of the deleterious effects of radioactivity, which can last for years, if not decades. Increased rate of mutations causing cancer, congenital defects, organ failure have been recorded in Chernobyl years after the incident. Consumption of contaminated water sources and food also lead to spread of the radioactivity to life. Agriculture, diary and forest food products like berries, mushrooms, game also toxic around the contaminated area. The economic implications of such a disaster are also enormous depending on the extent of the damage. If urban regions are contaminated, they have to be evacuated and the residents have to be compensated. Health compensations may persist for years after the incident. Also immediate and sustained measures have to be taken to reduce the nuclear activity in the surrounding area. Considering the magnitude of damage caused by nuclear disaster, it is still debatable whether the benefits of clean energy are worth the cost of an accident.
Bibliography
“How Stuff Works”. HowStuffWorks, Inc. 1998-2013 .Web. 30 April 2013.
Matson, John. “What happens during a nuclear meltdown?” Scientific American. 11 March 2011. Web. 30 April 2013.
