Opening Statement

I am taking an Advanced Environmental Science class, and I find that due to it as a hazard, radioactive waste is a big issue in our environment. There are many misconceptions about radioactive waste. Commonly, when one thinks of radioactive waste, they automatically connect it to nuclear waste, nuclear weapons, nuclear power plants, and World War II. As a matter of fact, radioactivity has been around since the Big Bang and we have known about radioactivity and used it since the 19th century! It is also a misconception that nuclear power is the only power source that produces harmful waste. However, that is not the case. For example, coal mining brings up uranium to the surface, which can have a greater effect to the environment that nuclear waste could. Some people think that once somebody has been near radioactive material, that they will stay radioactive forever. But it is possible to physically remove the radioactive particles from material or wait for it to decay. These are just some of the misconceptions. I hope this site helps you learn something new about such a big issue that is infecting and contaminating our environment. Throughout this site, David McIntyre agreed to talk with me and give some of his input to help you understand as well. He was a former reporter and writer for the Voice of America, but now he is an officer in the Office of Public Affairs. He works in the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRA) within the Office of Public Affairs. Some of his comments will appear throughout this project.

Bibliography

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Patrick Antoine
Concord Academy, AES Year Project