Health

Because the nuclear industry‘s raw material is uranium, a heavy metal which is unstable and radioactive, there are many health impacts associated with its use. Once uranium is disturbed it emits alpha, beta and gamma rays which are harmful in various ways, and for differing lengths of time. The half-life, or contaminated phase, of some types of radioactive particles, varies from a few days to 4 billion years. That’s a long time to protect all living things from exposure to such material which has the capacity to alter the gene pool.

No safe exposure level

There is no safe level of exposure to radiation. The International Commission on Radiation Protection has frequently altered the “safe” levels in a downward direction as cellular damage, thyroid problems, leukaemia and other cancers show up in people exposed up to thirty years prior to diagnosis, and even into children of people exposed to ionizing radiation. This can happen by ingesting tiny particles contained in dust and blown in the wind or by exposure to contaminated food or water, or by contact with materials which have been irradiated, such as machine parts, or clothing worn by workers in a nuclear reactor.  And accidents do happen, putting people and the environment at risk.