If you believe what you see in the movies, the term nuclear waste probably elicits feelings of nervousness and fear. We often see bad things happen as a result of mishandling of dangerous byproducts we are told are coming from the “nuclear reactor”. However, these depictions are nowhere near accurate and, unfortunately, have tainted public opinion on what is actually a safe and reliable way for Ontario to meet its energy and climate goals.
We have likely all seen pictures of scientists in white hazmat suits disposing of nuclear waste. But let’s imagine them mindfully handling nuclear byproducts, rather than thoughtlessly discarding them. Instead of imagining glowing green liquid seeping into our drinking water and poisoning locals, let’s applaud the work that engineers are doing to ensure nuclear waste management is safe for everyone.
As tempting as it can be to buy into sensationalized danger, let’s focus on getting down to the facts of this radioactive matter.
Myth #1: The myth of the glowing green ooze
Nuclear waste is not glowing green goo stored in bright yellow barrels stamped with a radioactive hazard symbol. In Canada, nuclear waste is a stable solid form of uranium (uranium dioxide,) a ceramic material that is turned into pellets, about the size of a quarter.
The pellets are then loaded into corrosion-resistant tubes which are welded together to form a CANDU fuel bundle, shown below:
Image: CBC News (https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/how-to-put-canada-s-nuclear-waste-to-bed-1.1179873)
Myth #2: There is no safe way to manage nuclear waste
Before we panic that nuclear waste is going to contaminate our drinking water, or destroy the environment, let’s get this straight. Nuclear waste can be managed in a way that is safe for public health and the protection of workers over the long-term using Deep Geological Repositories (DGRs).
A DGR is a safe, technically sound solution. It follows international scientific consensus and best practice, and provides piece of mind that used nuclear fuel will be safely stored in the long term. The repository design uses a series of engineered and natural barriers that work together to safely contain, and isolate used nuclear fuel. Built to a depth of at least 500 metres (1,640 feet) depending on the geology, the repository will be roughly as deep as the CN Tower is tall. The purpose of placing used nuclear fuel in a deep geological repository is to provide long-term safety and protection of the environment, including bodies of water.
At the depth in the earth that we’re talking about, the rock has very little water. Where there are tiny amounts of water, it moves very slowly. It is rock deep underground that has essentially been disconnected from the water we see for millions of years.
Once the waste is buried it is not ignored, it is consistently monitored.
Myth #3: Nuclear energy should be a last resort because it is dangerous
Canada has been using nuclear energy as a low-carbon energy source for homes and businesses for nearly 60 years and nuclear power accounts for 15% of Canada’s electricity needs while making up 54% of Ontario’s electricity needs.
Now with demand for electricity poised to double in the next quarter century, the Government of Canada is investing more in nuclear energy with plans to build both large-scale nuclear capacity and small modular reactors.
This is on trend with what we’re seeing on a global scale. with a focus on the use of nuclear energy at the UN’s climate change conference, COP28.
In fact, there are 57 new nuclear reactors under construction worldwide as of June 2023.
Countries around the world are pursuing the use of nuclear energy, and Canada is lucky to be one of the world’s most prominent producers of uranium and to have the infrastructure to provide residents with low-emissions energy, especially in Ontario, where we’re seeing major investments being made in the future of nuclear research.
This will continue to expand our knowledge about nuclear power, develop nuclear technologies, and lead the way in clean energy.
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