A research study submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Engineering, School of Environment, Resources and Development

Research Studies Project Report (M. Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1986

Seldom has any current issue attracted as much public notice and emotion as the question of the environmental effects of the growing nuclear industry. The lack of conventional power resources and the growing demands on electric power have given nuclear power great importance. The growing number of nuclear power plants and stringent environmental laws have brought to the fore the problem of the safe disposal of radioactive wastes which accompany the whole fuel cycle of uranium mining, fuel processing, power production, disposal, and the reprocessing of spent fuel. No suitable method has been found to dispose of these radioactive wastes which have a great impact on environment. Further the effects of ionizing radiation resulting from these radioactive wastes, reactor accidents and nuclear weapons proliferation are sufficient to change the habitat and population of the existing flora and fauna and are a source of great menace both to the living beings and to the surroundings. Still the world is not in a position to take such devastating risk by adopting nuclear for the electric power. There are still too many unknowns about safe nuclear power and little knowledge of long range ill effects. In fact, many technical problems have not yet been worked out. A thorough knowledge of nuclear power is essential in preserving the quality of life. By looking at the information available and the experience gained it seems fair to conclude that little is known and much has to be learned before nuclear power dominates the planet Earth.