All citizens demand zero risk energy source
but that seems to be impossible in this era because of the threats the infrastructure receives either from natural or human factors.
Benefits of nuclear radiation in medicine
When it comes to medicine, the use of nuclear radiation allows doctors to make an accurate and quick diagnosis of the functioning of individual organs. Nuclear components such as radiotherapy can be used to destroy some target cells or treat some medical conditions such as cancer. Radioisotope thermal generators have become useful in the space missions. In the future, the use of nuclear power could be used to generate hydrogen. The hydrogen generated will supplement the fossil fuel energy become it will be capable of powering cars and other machinery without producing emissions that negatively affect the environment. The essay will provide an overview of the global nuclear safety based on the Fukushima nuclear disaster that occurred in 2011. In addition, the paper will provide the nature of the disasters, the effects of a nuclear disaster and the steps that various stakeholders can take to prevent any future disasters.
The vulnerability of nuclear plants to natural disasters
Despite the benefits that nuclear plants bring to the entire society threats are still inevitable. The 2011 nuclear disaster in Fukushima served as a wakeup call that reminded the entire world of the vulnerability that the nuclear plants to the natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes (OHTO and YASUMURA, 2014, p.203). Before the disaster in Fukushima, it was hard imagining that a combined Tsunami and megaquakes could cascade to a serious nuclear disaster. The complications went beyond the capability of a single country. Japan possesses 55 of the total number of nuclear plants that exist in the entire world. Every energy technology on the planet has some potential risks: mines at times collapse killing miners, they also release hazardous material into the environment; the hydropower dams at time fail to cause floods; oil refineries and pipeline can collapse leading to explosions at the refineries. But a meltdown at a nuclear plant as a result natural disasters such as tsunamis can release huge radiations into the food chain, soil, water, and air far exceeding the hazard than any other source of energy cause in terms of duration and expanse (Eisler, 2013, p.31). It, therefore, becomes important to have an open mind on these possibilities and notions of the nuclear power production in certain places. Some of the arguments make people blind to the risks and costs. Fukushima served as a lesson.
Vulnerabilities in global emergency preparedness
The Fukushima Nuclear disaster revealed vulnerabilities in the global emergency preparedness. The competing demand for the tsunamis and earthquakes reduced the available response to such vulnerabilities. Most nuclear plants accidents all over the world are classified based on the specific type of event that causes them and the safety. Most nuclear plants are built with extensive safety features. However, the accidents that are not anticipated such as those that occurred in Fukushima can be disastrous.
Threats to nuclear facilities
A natural disaster is not the only threat to nuclear facilities. Nuclear plants also invite target for terrorist and sabotage attacks. A successful plot by terrorists to attack nuclear plants could have overwhelming consequences, causing an extensive long-term impact on the environment, displacing a large number of people in that area, sickening and even killing. Protecting nuclear plants from threats should be a top priority for all nations that operate the nuclear power plants. All states should make a rule that covers issues such as the security access zones. All countries should also be prepared with enough security personnel who must be trained on what to do in the case such an event occurs. The events of 9/11 brought the issue of nuclear security in limelight. The expert was able to point out some of the flaws in the security regulation laws and their enforcement. The plants need to be safeguarded because of the threats that their destruction poses.
Measures to enhance nuclear plant security
The federal government should revise the assumptions it has made about terrorist capabilities to make sure that the nuclear plants receive utmost protection against potential threats. The government officials should also modify the way it judges force on force security by strengthening the way nuclear plants are protected. Programs should also be set up to license the private security guards who ought to undergo proper training on how to handle terrorist threats. The owners of reactors must also improve the security of the existing dry cask storage facilities and lastly, the reactor designers should create more secure water and land nuclear plants that can withstand terrorist attacks.
The effects of nuclear plant destruction
The effects of nuclear plant destruction result in fallouts, initial radiation, thermal radiation, or blasts. The blast has the consequence of producing an air-blast effect that is similar to that produced during explosions. This means that all those businesses closer to the site might incur heavy losses. The shockwaves from these nuclear reactions can cause major injuries on human beings by damaging their lungs and ears. Most damages occur because of the flying debris and collapsing structures. Unlike other explosions that have been witnessed in the world, a single nuclear power plant explosion can generate thermal radiations that can burn the skin and start fires.
Impacts of nuclear detonations
Nuclear detonations have the potential to release gamma and nuclear radiations. When these detonations occur, those individuals and people closer to the plant suffer most because of the debris that is carried by windfall back on the ground and destroys property in a matter of hours or even minutes. The impact resulting from the attack on a nuclear plant will depend on how the plant was designed. This means that nuclear plants have to be designed in a manner that it can withstand natural disasters and terrorist acts.
Involvement of the private sector
In case of a terrorist or natural disaster leading to a nuclear plant explosion, the private sector suffers most in terms of the damage that their business will have. Business owners should, therefore, take center stage in coming up with solutions that can be used to mitigate against any threat to the nuclear plants (Office, 2011, p.461). The private sector must advocate for the government to strengthen the laws that govern nuclear plants so as to strengthen their security as well as improve on their constructions to withstand any form of natural disasters. Private businesses must also train their employees on the steps they are supposed to take in case there is a nuclear plant explosion. The private sector can also fund volunteer groups that advocate for secure nuclear plants.
Ensuring a secure environment
The private sector's engagement in matters to do with the nuclear plant can be costly indeed. But in the long run, it will prove important because their businesses will be more secure than before and their potential customers will also be protected against health damages that a nuclear plant explosion poses. While some tightening of information about nuclear plants is necessary to continue safeguarding this area, the responsible authorities should seek the input of all the citizens on how security can be achieved. The environment should remain a secure place where all people can carry on with their business without fear of nuclear plant explosions.
The future of nuclear energy
The use of nuclear energy is needed to be required if human beings must continue with advancements. It has great potential to be a quite beneficial and useful part of the world's development and growth in the years to come. The problem occurs when people lose caution, respect, and give in to the naivety and arrogance which interferes with the safety standards of the nuclear plants. It is imperative that the world works to improve the nuclear energy while at the same time remaining cautious of the accidents that are bound to occur. The Fukushima Nuclear disaster was a wakeup call for various nations wishing to set up such plants locally to put in place measures that will protect them against vulnerabilities. It is the duty of the entire world to unite and come up with a solution to such future disasters because the effects of such accidents are always felt all over the world.
References
Eisler, R. (2013). The Fukushima 2011 disaster. Boca Raton: CRC Press.
Office, F. (2011). Nuclear Accidents and Leakage of Radioactive Materials at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Journal of Disaster Research, 6(4), pp.459-466.
OHTO, H. and YASUMURA, S. (2014). FUKUSHIMA RADIATION SYMPOSIUM 2014: SHARING THE ACHIEVEMENT FROM THE FUKUSHIMA HEALTH MANAGEMENT SURVEY. FUKUSHIMA JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE, 60(2), pp.203-204.
