Why is nuclear waste radioactive? A. Radiation from the reactor makes everything

Question

Why is nuclear waste radioactive?

A. Radiation from the reactor makes everything in or near it radioactive.

B. Used fuel rods contain fission fragments which are radioactive.

C. Spent fuel rods pick up contamination from the reactor.

They all seem like possibilities to me!

A. Radiation from the reactor makes everything in or near it radioactive.

B. Used fuel rods contain fission fragments which are radioactive.

C. Spent fuel rods pick up contamination from the reactor.

They all seem like possibilities to me!

Explanation / Answer

All radioisotopes contained in the waste have ahalf-life—the time it takes for any radionuclide to lose half of its radioactivity—and eventually all radioactive waste decays into non-radioactive elements (i.e., stable nuclides).

High-level radioactive waste primarily is uranium fuel that has been used in a nuclear power reactor and is "spent," or no longer efficient in producing electricity. Spent fuel is thermally hot as well as highly radioactive and requires remote handling and shielding.

Hence, the answer will be - B) Used fuel rods contain fission fragments which are radioactive.

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