Misato NotoNuclear waste refers to the byproducts of nuclear reactors. One of the biggest challenges of a nuclear power plant is how to manage this spent fuel after the power has been generated. Spent nuclear fuel is dangerously radioactive and has the potential to release a poisonous chemical element called plutonium into the environment.
In fact, exposure to radioactive waste can cause cancerous growths in humans and genetic damage or mutation to animals and plants. These changes, therefore, could prevent sustainable procreation. Additionally, radioactive waste of the leftover fuel from the reactor can remain active for hundreds of thousands of years.
Without proper and efficient waste management in place, nuclear waste would pose a devastating threat to human, animal and plant habitats.
