10nfl1-Nukes-Cover
CURRENT TECHNOLOGY IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO CONTAIN NUCLEAR
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| CURRENT TECHNOLOGY IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO CONTAIN NUCLEAR WASTE James Flynn, Roger Kasperson, Howard Knureuther, and Paul Slovic 1992 (senior researcher with Decision Research, prof of govt and geography and associate of CENTED at Clark University Prof of decision sciences insurance, public policy, and management and the Director of Risk and Decision Process Center at the Wharton School @ Upenn; president of Decision research and prof of psychology at the University of Oregon "Time to RethinkNuclear Waste Storage" Issues in Science and Technology Vol 8 No 4, pg. 43 The problems of handling spent fuel pale in comparison with the waste problems at nuclear weapon production facilities. DOE has been embarrassed by huge leaks of radioactive wastes and other difficulties at its plants at Hanford. Washington ROCKY Flats, Colorado and elsewhere. The storage and cleanup problems are considered so difficult and expensive that some experts have argued that certain areas of facilities such as Hanford should be permanently cordoned off. Mismanagement of the waste situation at the weapons plants has done much to discredit DOE's role in siting a permanent civilian repository. Whatever the difficulties posed by temporary storage. they are dwarfed by the immense challenges involved in siting a permanent repository. The US. Environmental Protection Agency, charged by Congress with setting performance standards. has told DOE that it must provide assurances that human and environmental exposure to radioactive elements will not exceed stringent standards for 10.000 years. This long period--twice that of recorded human history creates serious uncenainties in every area of scientific study. If a IO.OOO-year warranty is necessary. no wonder the public has grave doubts about the reliability of a permanent repository. 10NFL1-Nuclear Weapons Page 157 of 199 www.victorybriefs.com Download 1.23 Mb. Share with your friends:
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