Tunnel at plutonium finishing plant collapses in Hanford, WA

[JSt0rm]

Why would it be off limits for 20k years?

The Exclusion Zone
Main article: Chernobyl Exclusion Zone

Entrance to the zone of alienationaround Chernobyl
An area originally extending 30 kilometres (19 mi) in all directions from the plant is officially called the "zone of alienation". It is largely uninhabited, except for about 300 residents who have refused to leave. The area has largely reverted to forest, and has been overrun by wildlife because of a lack of competition with humans for space and resources. Even today, radiation levels are so high that the workers responsible for rebuilding the sarcophagus are only allowed to work five hours a day for one month before taking 15 days of rest. Ukrainian officials estimated the area would not be safe for human life again for another 20,000 years[75] (although by 2016, 187 local Ukrainians had returned and were living permanently in the zone[215]).

In 2011 Ukraine opened up the sealed zone around the Chernobyl reactor to tourists who wish to learn more about the tragedy that occurred in 1986.[216][217]

 

[mect]

The Exclusion Zone
Main article: Chernobyl Exclusion Zone

Entrance to the zone of alienationaround Chernobyl
An area originally extending 30 kilometres (19 mi) in all directions from the plant is officially called the "zone of alienation". It is largely uninhabited, except for about 300 residents who have refused to leave. The area has largely reverted to forest, and has been overrun by wildlife because of a lack of competition with humans for space and resources. Even today, radiation levels are so high that the workers responsible for rebuilding the sarcophagus are only allowed to work five hours a day for one month before taking 15 days of rest. Ukrainian officials estimated the area would not be safe for human life again for another 20,000 years[75] (although by 2016, 187 local Ukrainians had returned and were living permanently in the zone[215]).

In 2011 Ukraine opened up the sealed zone around the Chernobyl reactor to tourists who wish to learn more about the tragedy that occurred in 1986.[216][217]

So you're comparing a collapsed tunnel to the worst nuclear meltdown in history? In addition, the only reason it will be uninhabitable for 20k years is because of the lack of a proper cleanup. They could remove all the heavily contaminated material and put it into proper storage, but hey, its Russia.

 

[IronWing]

So you're comparing a collapsed tunnel to the worst nuclear meltdown in history? In addition, the only reason it will be uninhabitable for 20k years is because of the lack of a proper cleanup. They could remove all the heavily contaminated material and put it into proper storage, but hey, its Russia.

You go first.

 

[mect]

You go first.

We know how to shield radiation. We know at what exposure levels health concerns arise. We know how to monitor exposure. It doesn't have to be like the original Chernobyl cleanup where people are just paid to go in completely unprotected to clean up radioactive materials until they die from the radiation poisoning. Workers can be equipped with dosimeters and proper shielding, and their exposure monitored to ensure that they are kept within safe exposure limits. There is a reason the nuclear industry is the safest energy industry you can work in.

 

[JSt0rm]

We know how to shield radiation. We know at what exposure levels health concerns arise. We know how to monitor exposure. It doesn't have to be like the original Chernobyl cleanup where people are just paid to go in completely unprotected to clean up radioactive materials until they die from the radiation poisoning. Workers can be equipped with dosimeters and proper shielding, and their exposure monitored to ensure that they are kept within safe exposure limits. There is a reason the nuclear industry is the safest energy industry you can work in.

This guy works in this horrible industry and was triggered.

 

[JSt0rm]

One of the worst things in the world is human hubris and we are seeing this dumb twat showing it to us.

 

[mect]

This guy works in this horrible industry and was triggered.

Nope, don't work in the industry, just know basic science, and don't believe in the post-fact movement.

 

[JSt0rm]

Nope, don't work in the industry, just know basic science, and don't believe in the post-fact movement.

Is it really post fact to not want to risk it just because humans think they dont make mistakes?

 

[mect]

Is it really post fact to not want to risk it just because humans think they dont make mistakes?

Risk what? The post fact issue is stating that a tunnel collapse is going to lead to land being uninhabitable for 20k years. Or the claim that the land surrounding Chernobyl is necessarily uninhabitable for 20k years. Suggesting that cleaning up a radioactive site will necessarily lead to imminent death. Of course humans make mistakes. We make them all the time. The clean up efforts surrounding Hanford could be viewed as the result of mistakes made. Nuclear energy possibly isn't the best solution at this point. There is a lot of debate about the topic by very educated people on both sides that are aware of the risks as well as the benefits. The difference is, these people argue in facts, not hyperbole.

 

[IronWing]

Risk what? The post fact issue is stating that a tunnel collapse is going to lead to land being uninhabitable for 20k years. Or the claim that the land surrounding Chernobyl is necessarily uninhabitable for 20k years. Suggesting that cleaning up a radioactive site will necessarily lead to imminent death. Of course humans make mistakes. We make them all the time. The clean up efforts surrounding Hanford could be viewed as the result of mistakes made. Nuclear energy possibly isn't the best solution at this point. There is a lot of debate about the topic by very educated people on both sides that are aware of the risks as well as the benefits. The difference is, these people argue in facts, not hyperbole.

Portions of the Hanford Reserve are already profoundly contaminated. For a half century, no Congress has stomached the cost of cleaning it up. I don't see that changing.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Ugh....so much ugh

 

[mect]

Portions of the Hanford Reserve are already profoundly contaminated. For a half century, no Congress has stomached the cost of cleaning it up. I don't see that changing.

Of course sections are contaminated. That is one of the purposes the land there is dedicated to, the containment of the radioactive waste. That area poses very little health risk for the people in the vicinity, or the people working at the Hanford site (assuming proper safety protocols are followed).

People are perfectly happy to watch hundreds of thousands of people die world wide from coal every year, but the thought of dying from radiation poisoning inspires fears of apocalyptic devastation. While I'm not convinced nuclear energy is the proper pathway forward due to progress with renewables, there is no question that nuclear energy is superior to coal, but Americans are too paranoid, and so we accept large numbers of deaths that occur due to a technology we are comfortable with. This paranoia is present throughout society. Take MRIs. Technically, they should be called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, but people are afraid of the word nuclear.