Nuclear Power and Medicine: Benefit or not

With the world in search of better and cleaner ways to product energy. Coal and fossil fuel needs to be a way of the past.  Nuclear energy has provided a cleaner way of producing energy, however, in the past it has not been so safe. There have been accident after accident, some are human lack of knowledge, some are human error, other accidents were caused by non-adequate equipment, lack of safety measures. Inability to stop a problem in its tracks because of lack of knowledge on how to do so. You will see a list from 1957 to 2011 of different accidents around the world at nuclear power plant. Now with each incident new safety measures were put into place to make sure that this does not happen again. However, as we expand our use of nuclear power there will be more accidents as the human error factored in and equipment failures are inedible.  Scientist and engineers

The following is a list of just the world nuclear power plant accidents from 1952 – 2011 starting with 2011 Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant, and Onagawa Japan, in 2006 Fleurus Belgium, Forsmark Sweden, and Erwin US, in 2005 Selafield  UK, 2005 Atucha Argentina, and Braidwood US, 2003 Paks Hungary, in 1999 Tokaimura Japan, Yanangio Peru, Ikitelli Turkey, and Ishikawa Turkey, in 1993 Tomski Russia, and Cadarache France, in 1989 Vandellos Spain, and Greifswald Germany,  in 1986 Chernobyl Ukraine (USSR), and Hamm-Uentrop Germany, in 1981 Tsuraga Japan, in 1980 St Laurent Des Faux France, 1979 Three-Mile Island US, in 1977 Jaslovske' Czechoslovakia, 1969 Lucens Switzerland, in 1967 Chapelcross UK, in 1966 Monroe US, in 1964 Charlestown US, in 1959 Santa Susansa Field Laboratory US, 1958 Chalk River Canada and in 1952 again in Chalk River Canada, in 1957 Kyshtym Russia, in 1958 Vinca Yugoslavia, and then in 1957 Windscale Pile UK (Rogers, 2001). In very few of these incidents were there no loss of life. However, for the most part people lose their lives in search of a better healthier way of life.

Lets look back in time scientists discovered the creation of energy using highly radioactive element like uranium. This was in the early 20th century, this energy was no first used to make clean power, it was first used like so many other things as a weapon. With the help of nuclear science, we made and used the first Atomic powered bomb that was used to end World War II. This resulted in the world's race to create a bigger and better weapon. Today, we still have to effects of the weapons on nuclear powered submarines, and nuclear weapon around the world. These weapons have left the environment in some area's in a state that can never be repaired. Meanwhile, scientist also discovered a different process that could be used in a controlled, non-explosive way. And the age of nuclear power was born. Nuclear reactions to make cheaper electricity. In the 1960's places like United Kingdom, United States and Japan started building nuclear power plants, these plants were called reactors. The amount of carbon and airborne pollutants being a very small amount when compared to other traditional power plants. Now nuclear power plants use a lot of water and once used the water is contaminated with heavy metals and salt, which is also true of the water contamination by other types of power plants. The nuclear power plant creates nuclear waste and it has to be careful stored and contained. This waste and the water used could and has caused significant environments contamination as well as being a detriment to human life.

From the past to the present: Nuclear reactors produce just under 20% of the electricity in the USA.  The USA has 100 out of 400 power reactors in the world. Producing electricity ever day of the week and every hour of the day without emitting pollutants into the atmosphere including CO2. They do, however, create radioactive nuclear waste which must be stored carefully (Touran n.d.).

The future hold fusion which is a process where two small atoms such as Hydrogen or Helium to produce heavier atoms and energy.  These reactions can release more energy than fission without producing as many radioactive by products. Fusion reactions occur in the sun, generally using Hydrogen as fuel and producing Helium as waste (fun fact: Helium was discovered in the sun and named after the Greek Sun God, Helios). This reaction has not been commercially developed yet and is a serious research interest worldwide, due to its promise of nearly limitless, low-pollution, and non-proliferative energy (Touran n.d.).

We all know that nuclear power has plenty of pro's and cons. With climate-friendly energy that does not release harmful carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which has been thought to cause the greenhouse effect. There are also plenty of concerns about safety issues to humans and the environment. Now radioactive waste also causes more than a little pause when it comes to safety. We have to take into consideration that with the ever-growing terrorist attacks nuclear power plants could be used as a potential target.

In the above you will see plenty of negatives with having nuclear power plants. Even with saying this I feel that they are a benefit. No matter what is invented or discovered, what science develops whether in medicine of for energy. Nuclear power is dangerous if not handled properly, however with each incidence we have developed new safer measure to keep the environment and our people safe. We could take a look as the processing plants and storage plant of oil and fuel from fossil fuel. They have had there share of accidents, explosions, gas leaks, plenty of injuries and deaths as well as evacuations of the residence. Now this has been and will continue to be a problem. Fossil fuels is dangerous to the environment as well as to humans. On average more people die each year from the pollution from fossil fuel than from all the yearly accidents of nuclear power plants.  Each year we come closer and closer to finding safer and clearer ways to produce energy. With wind power, and nuclear power each with its on pros and cons. We have already made large strides using nuclear medicine to improve the way we diagnosis many illnesses. Making treatment which makes it possible to find cancer earlier and other medical issues making treatment faster and helps safe lives. So, I truly believe that nuclear power and medicine is a benefit and the future hold more possibilities for our medical needs and energy needs.

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