Nuclear waste, whether from a reactor or a discarded missile, is as sensitive a political topic as the means by which the waste was generated. Whether the disposal concerns low-level or high-level waste, the consensus is that nobody wants the waste disposed of anywhere near them. Therein lies the problem of what do with the waste. Should it be stored on-site, or should all nuclear waste be disposed of in one central location.
A large, centralized stockpile of nuclear waste has the potential to be a hazard greater than permanent local storage. Should an incident occur at the storage, the effects could be farther reaching than calculable. Even today, scientists are not completely aware of the full extent and long-term repercussions of seepage of waste into any particular ecosystem.
Low-level radioactive materials should definitely be stored locally, at the site of production. Dissipation of radioactivity can be measured in terms 10-50 years with this type of radioactive material, and containment of the waste is achievable by current methods.
High-level radiation is a different issue. Out of sight, out of mind, creates more problems than can be solved. On-site storage would undoubtedly cause those responsible for the waste to be more conscious of the continuing growth in scope of their problem. Indeed perhaps, it would be the impetus for advancement in disposal methods.
- Nuclear Waste Disposal. Rochester History Resources. [article online] 2009. Available from http://www.history.rochester.edu/class/EZRA/index.htm. Accessed 28 Nov 2009
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