RADIOACTIVE POLLUTION: AN OVERVIEW

The civilian radioactive waste encompasses a wide range of materials, most of the current debate focuses on highly radioactive spent fuel from nuclear power plants. Other types of civilian radioactive waste have also generated by nuclear power plants, medical institutions, industrial operations, and research activities. Disposal of radioactive waste will be a key issue in the continuing nuclear power debate. Without a national disposal system, spent fuel from nuclear power plants must be stored on-site indefinitely. the strategy for the management and disposal of used nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste has highlighted agreement with many of the principles of the IAEA recommendations and has outlined actions that, with legislative authorization by Congress, can lead to a safe and responsible solution to managing the nation‘s nuclear waste. Indeed, action by Congress in the form of new authorizing legislation and appropriations is necessary