What is a disadvantage of nuclear energy?
On One Hand: Radioactive WasteOne disadvantage of nuclear energy is that it creates radioactive waste that is very harmful to humans and pollutes the environment, especially through water supplies. According to Thinkquest.com, the Environmental Protection Agency determined that one-forth of underwater waste storage containers leak. It may take up to 3 million years for existing waste to decay to safe levels of radioactivity.On the Other: Greenhouse GasesWhile nuclear energy produces radioactive waste, it does have some environmental advantages. Nuclear energy plants emit low levels of carbon dioxide, the most harmful greenhouse gas. A nuclear energy plant can create far more power and less carbon dioxide byproducts than a coal- or petroleum-powered electrical plant.Bottom LineA disadvantage of nuclear energy is that it creates harmful radioactive waste that can last millions of years and contaminate the environment, especially through groundwater.
