My Science School

Many people worry about the safety of nuclear energy and the radiation it produces. There are also concerns about how to safely throw away or reuse radioactive waste material.

Workers in a nuclear power station need to wear special clothing.

Radiation can make people very ill. Strict safety producers need to be used in a nuclear power station. Special clothing protects workers from the radiation. Many people believe that radioactive materials cause disease and disabilities in people and animals living nearby.

Mining for uranium can spoil the natural landscape.

A lot of rock has to be dug up to find small deposits of uranium. This can destroy the homes of animals and plants. Water can also become polluted during the mining process.

The materials used in nuclear fuel are deadly, and could be used to harm people.

Because nuclear materials are so dangerous, the security at nuclear power stations has to be very tight. If someone stole just a tiny amount of plutonium it could be used to cause terrible damage. When nuclear materials travel by truck, there is usually a special police convoy to protect them.