In countries with nuclear power, radioactive wastes comprise less than 1% of total industrial toxic wastes, much of which remains hazardous indefinitely [1]. Overall, nuclear power produces far less waste material by volume than fossil-fuel based power plants. Coal burning plants are particularly noted for producing large amounts of toxic and mildly radioactive ash due to concentrating naturally occurring metals and mildly radioactive material from the coal. A recent report from Oak Ridge National Laboratory concludes that coal power actually results in more radioactivity being released into the environment than nuclear power operation, and that population effective dose equivalent from radiation from coal plants is 100 times as much as from ideal operation of nuclear plants [2]. Indeed, coal ash is much less radioactive than nuclear waste, but ash is released directly into the environment ,whereas nuclear plants use shielding to protect the environment from the irradiated reactor vessel,fuel rods, and any radioactive waste on site [3].
References :
1.Waste management in the nuclear fuel cycle,information and issue briefs world nuclear association .Retrieved 2006-11-09
3. Coal Ash is not more radioactive than nuclear waste, CE Journal. 2008-12-31
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