Radioactive Waste

• High-level radioactive waste such as spent fuel rods contain many different radioactive isotopes as well as unused Uranium-235 and plutoninium-239
• The spent fuel rods must be stored under water in cooling ponds for up to a year as they continue to release heat due to nuclear decay
• The useful U-235 and Pu-239 is first removed and then the remaining material is stored deep underground for centuries
• Lower levels radioactive waste such as old containers and contaminated protective clothing is sealed in metal drums and again stored underground
• Why is it so important that the radioactive waste is stored securely for so long?

  All waste must be stored safely to avoid radioactive isotopes contaminating food and water supplies. The radio-isotopes produced in nuclear fission are radioactive for thousands of years