Nuclear Plant Public Safety Issues?

Question

What are the nuclear plant public safety issues?

Answer 1

the above answers deal with industrial safety (inside the plant) and your question concerns public safety (outside the plant). As to radiation, the nuclear plant is designed to not release any radiation. In the 3 mile island dissaster, the release had to be calculated as it was too small to be measured with a geiger counter. Contrast that with the everyday emissions from coal fired plants, the standard method for tracking off-plant smoke plumes is with a geiger counter. Mining issues are clear, a switch to uranium from coal would reduce mine related death and injury substantially, mostly because less product has to be handled for a given energy production. The only unique issue for the public safety verses other large plant energy facilities is the disposal of spent fuel. Coal and Gas plants spew their waste out onto the public everyday of operation. Nuclear plants handle waste products as one time events and in a method intended to prevent public exposure.

Answer 2

All nuke plants in the US have taken great measures to protect against ant threats to public safety. The following is from the NEi website http://www.NEI.org
"Because of their advanced design and sophisticated containment structures, U.S. nuclear plants emit a negligible amount of radiation. In fact, even if you lived right next door to a nuclear power plant, you would still receive less radiation each year than you would receive in just one round-trip flight from New York to Los Angeles."
The only threat that I can fathom is one from the outside, a adversary who attempts to circumvent the protective barriers but in place. This is mitigated by some of the best security forces in the world.

Answer 3

Main issue is radiation hazard
which may result from
1. maloperation of control / equipment/valves .
2. accedental failure of reactor on surrounding ,
3. spent fuel and its disposal to environment.
4. accumulation of to small dose of radiation in body
and its long term effect on health during operation .
Unreliability of present technology to tackle above issues satisfactorily .

Answer 4

Problem is fission reactor buildings have failed and suffered major roof collapse.
That s why (vested interest admission) I have patented my Emergency Roofing and Barrier System which can be seen on IPO website!

Answer 5

RELEASE OF FISSION PRODUCTS TO THE ENVIRONMENT, INCREASING BACKGROUND RADIATION IN THE EVENT OF A RELEASE, BREEDING OF PLUTONIUM FROM U238, RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL, HEALTH ISSUES ARISING FROM MINING URANIUM, OPERATOR EXPOSURE WHILE MAINTAINING REACTOR, BACKUP SYSTEMS FOR CORE COOLING IN THE EVENT OF A PROBLEM, HIGH PRINCIPLE COST OF INITIAL DESIGN, STOCHASTIC EFFECTS OF CONTINUAL EXPOSURE TO RADIATION...