Risks And Benefits Of Nuclear Energy

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power plants (Data). Proponents of nuclear energy believe it is a safe form of energy, when adequately controlled, and nuclear power plants make sense because they can run longer, they are larger than many other types of electrical generation plants, and they are cost effective. Nuclear energy is also highly controversial because of the problem of disposing of the used fuel rods from nuclear power reactors, and the danger of a meltdown or terrorist attack on a nuclear facility, which could cause catastrophic damage.
Nuclear energy is used in several forms of nuclear medicine, including nuclear imaging, a precise form of imaging technology which is much more precise than x-rays or ultrasounds. A national organization specializing in nuclear medicine says, "Nuclear medicine uses very small amounts of radioactive materials or radiopharmaceuticals to diagnose and treat disease" (Medicine). They also say the radiation emitted during these procedures is low, about the same as an ...

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