Case study #1: Karen Silkwood:

The use of Nuclear power to produce energy is a relatively new method. Although it is a great alternative to the use of fossil fuels such as oil and gas, and, if used safely has minimal effects on the environment, many people fear nuclear power. The two case studies illustrate that fearing nuclear energy is not unfounded.

The first nuclear experimental nuclear reactor that generated electricity started in 1951. Through fission a neutron is added to uranium-235. This causes a breakdown of the atom until it eventually forms plutonium-239.

There are many dangers involved in nuclear power. Radiation can cause serious health problems. Safe waste disposal of radioactive material is extremely important. After 25,000 years plutonium is still emits 50% of its original radioactivity. If the plutonium is not disposed of properly, it can have effects on people and the environment for millenniums.

When outside of the body, plutonium and uranium pose minimal risks. This is because the two elements emit alpha radiation, which cannot penetrate the skin. It is when inhalation and ingestion occur that serious health problems arise. Once in the body the radiation mutates the cells and cause various types of cancer such as lung, bone liver, testicular cancer, and leukemia. Radiation exposure has also been linked to deformed embryos, heart disease, Down's syndrome, and genetic damage. Nothing can be done medically once plutonium or uranium has been ingested and it can take thirty years for the effects to show up.

As time has passed, physicists have come to have a better understanding of nuclear power. This is not without its price though. Many mistakes have been made and lives have been put in danger through past recklessness with nuclear power. One such example is Karen Silkwood. She worked at the Kerr-McGee Nuclear Plant in Crescent, Oklahoma as a metallography technician in the 1970's. She was also a member of the Oil, Chemical, and Atomic Workers Union, which she joined in August of 1974 after having been exposed to radiation on various occasions. Her first Union assignment was on the health and safety of the plant. She discovered evidence of spills, leaks, and 44 to 66 lbs of missing plutonium in the plant. She also found evidence that Kerr-McGee falsified inspection records, and manufactured faulty fuel rods. On November 5, 1974 Karen was again exposed to plutonium radiation. Kerr McGee attempted to cover it up by replacing her work gloves and decontaminating her workspace. Significant levels of radiation were detected on her body and in her apartment. Her exposure scare led to her continued investigation. On November 13 she was reportedly delivering documents to a New York Times reporter when her car ran off the road and she was killed. Her death remains a mystery and no documents were ever found in her car. Kerr McGee eventually closed and in 1986 Karen's family settled out of court for %1.3 million.

Case Study #2: Chernobyl:

The worst nuclear disaster in world history occurred on April 25-26, 1986 in what is now the Ukraine. Chernobyl was the site of a major nuclear power plant. On April 25, during a routine maintenance test, two successive explosions happened in reactor #4. 31 people were immediately killed but other health, environmental, and economic repercussions of radiation are to be experienced for years to come.

The roots of this disaster were flaws in the reactor's design, violation of procedures during operation, and lack of precaution measures. The reactor was known to be unstable before the explosions occurred, especially when running at low power. The steam coolant system was also known to be inferior to water coolant systems because it is not as efficient at stabilization when power suddenly increases. Also, the personnel at the plant were careless. The emergency coolant system was disabled at the time of testing, forcing the operators to manually operate the cooling system. At the time of the sudden power increase, they were making adjustments every few seconds to try to regain control. There was also a lack of communication between the different departments in the plant that resulted in insufficient coordination during the test. A lack of preparedness also worsened the situation. There were insufficient safety measures taken by the organizations in charge of the nuclear reactors. As a result, design weaknesses were ignored, the necessary precautions were not enacted and the surrounding communities were not protected against the effects of radiation.

The people that were effected by the explosions were numerous. 116,000 were evacuated in the 30 km radius. This area remains empty today. The contaminant plumes that entered the atmosphere polluted the entire northern hemisphere, while the southern hemisphere remained clear due to weather conditions. In fact, Swedish physicists testing the air at the time thought that a nuclear war had begun, because of such high levels of radioactivity.

The acute health effects of radiation from Chernobyl included 31 instant deaths and 140 emergency treatments for radiation sickness. A extremely high increase in the rate of thyroid cancer among children in the USSR is highlighted as one of the radiation effects surfacing later. There were also psychological effects such as anxiety and depression. People worried about the unknown health effects of radiation, were paranoid about the authorities, distressed by the refugee lifestyle. Additionally, a significant increase in aborted pregnancies occurred in the months following the disaster.

The nuclear explosion caused great environmental damage. Radioactive gases, aerosols, and nuclear fuel particles continuously streamed 1km into the atmosphere for a week. An entire forest was destroyed in the surrounding area because of high radioactivity levels. Some areas even now are without living animals. Many fish are now inedible which has effected the job market. Also, a number of farmers have reported mutations in their animals. Unfortunately, large tracts of agricultural land now lies barren.

There are residual risks at Chernobyl. 5 million people still live in contaminated areas. An additional 150,000 live in places where radiation protection is still needed. The remains of the meltdown are encased in concrete, but weathering has allowed for air and water to mix in with the dangerous remains. Also, a dam near by poses a risk. If it causes the water table to rise high enough, water will flush through about 180 tons of partially burned nuclear fuel, exacerbating the problem.

In conclusion, some positives have come out of this disaster in terms of preparing for the future. People are more aware of the effects of radioactivity and scientists may manipulate it more safely. Also, more precautions may be taken to ensure the safety of people and the environment in areas surrounding nuclear reactors, and international cooperation has improved in terms of relief efforts.