The Environmental and Ethical Issues of Nuclear Power and Ionizing Radiation

Abstract

As we enter the new millennium, population explosion, increasing worldwide energy demands and rapid global increase in ionizing radiation are all now threatening our fragile environment like no other time in known history. There is an urgent need for research and education to focus on the complex and direct link between ionizing radiation and its irreversible impact on the environment. Hence, nuclear energy and ionizing radiation issues can no longer be viewed in isolation. Historical facts and official reports prove that a code of ethics did not previously exist in nuclear industry: the risks of ionizing radiation are too great and unpredictable. Elimination of existing man-made ionizing radiation sources in this century is untenable and unsustainable. The intent of this paper is to review and demonstrate that "Atoms for Peace" is a false and unethical enterprise, and offers insights into the social and ethical aspects of ionizing radiation as a result of nuclear power development. The unethical nature of nuclear weapons, along with risk perception and ethical dilemmas of atom for peace, nuclear

The Environmental Democracy under Political Siege in Turkey

“…Therefore, there can be no clearer indication that these intergovernmental projects are geopolitically motivated and will provide a new breeding ground for nuclear weapon programs thinly disguised as "Nuclear Technology Transfer Agreements". The latest attempts by Turkey, the Arab Emirates and Jordan to embark on vigorous nuclear programs collectively show that the proliferation of nuclear power in the Middle East is now the greatest challenge [2].…”

On-Site Ratiometric Analysis of UO22+ with High Selectivity

“…2 Additionally, approximately 4000 open uranium pits have produced 3 billion tons of waste in the USA alone according to the US EPA records. 2,3 Furthermore, the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident has led to leakage and discharge of several hundred thousand tons of nuclear wastewater into the ecosystem. 4−6 Thus, it is getting particularly necessary to develop convenient and cost-effective quantification methods for monitoring the released nuclides.…”

“…In the past several decades, anthropogenic activities such as uranium mining and processing, improper nuclear waste management, and paroxysmal nuclear safety accidents have resulted in the release of considerable amounts of uranium into the environment . For instance, it is reported in the US there are still 14,000 abandoned open uranium mine pits that continue to pollute the local environment . Additionally, approximately 4000 open uranium pits have produced 3 billion tons of waste in the USA alone according to the US EPA records. , Furthermore, the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident has led to leakage and discharge of several hundred thousand tons of nuclear wastewater into the ecosystem. − …”

“…For instance, it is reported in the US there are still 14,000 abandoned open uranium mine pits that continue to pollute the local environment . Additionally, approximately 4000 open uranium pits have produced 3 billion tons of waste in the USA alone according to the US EPA records. , Furthermore, the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident has led to leakage and discharge of several hundred thousand tons of nuclear wastewater into the ecosystem. − …”