Radioactive Waste

Definition

Radioactive waste is any material that contains radioactive substances produced as a byproduct from nuclear power generation, medical treatments, research activities, or industrial applications. It poses significant health risks due to its emission of ionizing radiation which can cause cancer and genetic mutations.

Analogy

Think of radioactive waste like a ticking time bomb buried deep underground. If not handled properly, it has the potential to harm people's health and contaminate surrounding areas with dangerous radiation.

Related terms

Nuclear Energy: Nuclear energy is generated through controlled nuclear reactions that release large amounts of heat used for electricity production. Radioactive waste is produced as a byproduct of nuclear energy generation.

Half-life: The half-life is the time it takes for half of the radioactive atoms in a substance to decay. It helps determine how long it will take for radioactive waste to become less hazardous over time.

Geologic Repository: A geologic repository is a deep underground facility designed to safely store and isolate radioactive waste from human contact and the environment for thousands of years.