NUCLEAR WASTE

DEFINITION: "Unwanted radioactive materials produced from nuclear reactors and reprocessing plants. Radioactive wastes come in two forms, low level waste and high level waste. Low level waste is any material contaminated by radiation and emitting low levels of radiation. Examples of low level wastes are the protective clothing of nuclear plant employees and other workers in contact with radioactive materials; the remains of lab animals used in experiments with radionuclides, etc. High level waste is an inevitable by-product of the generation of electricity from nuclear fission. Examples of high level waste are cooling water, used fuel rods, and old tools and pats from nuclear power plants; mill tailings from uranium-enrichment factories, etc.” (Source: Nuclear Energy Nuclear Waste, 1992 and Conservation and Environmentalism, 1995)

 

NARROW THE TOPIC:

·         What is the proper way to dispose of nuclear waste?

·         How safe are nuclear power plants?

·         What is the risk of being exposed to nuclear waste?

·         What is the health risk from exposure to uranium?

·         What is the role of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission?

·         What should we do to prevent any nuclear accidents?

·         What is the future of nuclear power?

 

LINCC SUBJECT HEADINGS: Radioactive Wastes; Radioactive Waste Disposal; Nuclear Energy; Radioactive Pollution; Hazardous Waste

 

SPECIALIZED SOURCES SHELVED IN THE REFERENCE COLLECTION:

Earth Science	REF QE 28. E12 2001
Encyclopedia of Science and Technology Ethics	REF Q 175.35 .E53 2005
Magill’s Science Annual 2001	REF Q 179.9 .M34 2001
McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology	REF Q 121 .M3 "Radioactive Waste Management"
U.S. Laws, Acts, and Treaties	REF KF 385 .A4 U152 2003  “Nuclear Low Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act (1980)” “Nuclear Waste Policy Act (1983)”

 

AVAILABLE AT THE REFERENCE DESK:

Current Controversies: Garbage and Waste; Energy Alternatives (also available in the Opposing Viewpoints Database)

CQ Researcher   "Nuclear Waste"  6/08/01

Issues & Controversies   “Nuclear Waste Update" 6/25/04

Opposing Viewpoints: Environmental Crisis: Garbage and Recycling; Nuclear Proliferation; Energy Alternatives

At Issue: Nuclear and Toxic Waste  (also available in the Opposing Viewpoints Database)

 

STATISTICS:

Information Plus: Environment: Energy; Garbage and Other Pollution	Ref Desk (also available in the Opposing Viewpoints Database)
Statistical Record of the Environment	Ref TD 180 D37 1994

 

ELECTRONIC INDEXES:

Academic Search Premier

Expanded Academic ASAP

OmniFile Full Text Mega

 

FULL-TEXT NEWSPAPERS:  America's Newspapers

 

INTERNET SITES:

Citizen Alert	http://www.citizenalert.org/
Nuclear Regulatory Commission	http://www.nrc.gov/waste.html
Public Citizen	http://www.citizen.org/cmep/energy_enviro_nuclear/nuclear_waste/
RadWaste.org	http://www.radwaste.org
Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management	http://www.ocrwm.doe.gov/

 

CITING YOUR SOURCES:

University/College Library Citing Electronic Resources

http://ucl.broward.edu/Cite_Your_Sources.htm

DT Rev 7/07 |dc| ck

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