How Many Nuclear Power Plants Operate In The United States & Worldwide - How Safe Are They

Worldwide Nuclear Power Plant Guide

 

Nuclear power plants have been around for many years and of people living near them never think about them until something happens to bring them to the top of mind. The crisis at the Fukushima Dai-ich plant in Japan has focused attention like a laser around the world on existing nuclear power plants and their safety.

How will this affect the future of nuclear power around the world? In general nuclear power has been far safer in terms of deaths than coal mining and oil drilling, but the nature of nuclear incidents are harrowing. Unlike a worksite based coal mine or oilfield accident, radiation from a nuclear core meltdown can spread for miles contaminating the ground and people. Radiation damage can be instant and delayed. Short term radiation sickness from high doses of exposure and long term illnesses like cancer are both possible.

It is the invisible nature of radiation that strikes fear into the hearts of men. How does someone know they are exposed and that is the driver of fears of mortality? 

Radiation Found In Food 65 Miles From Nuclear Power Plant In Japan

Worldwide Nuclear power Plant Guide

The real danger of an accident that causes a radiation leak has been realized in Japan. Radiation was discovered in spinach and milk 65 miles from the damaged Fukushima Dai-ic nuclear power plant. That is why you need to know where nuclear power plants are located wherever you live or travel around the world.

After an earthquake and tsunami caused the cooling system to shut down at a nuclear power plant in Japan several chain reaction events led to explosions and radiation leaks. Most people thin about the direct effects of exposure from radiation as the ultimate risk to their health, but the real long term risk is when the radioactive material enters the soil and plants. Once the soil and plants are contaminated, the next step is for the radioactive material to enter the human food chain. Vegetables, grass and milk can become contaminated. When humans eat and drink contaminated food products, the radioactive material enter human beings.

Once in the human body, radioactive elements like cesium and radioactive iodine can enter human organs. Once human organs absorb radioactive elements the risk of cancer, organ failure and birth defects increase. An article titled “Japan cites radiation in milk, spinach near plant” by the Associated Press March 19, 2011and published on the ABC Local WABC website details the amount of radiation discovered in the food products.

What this brings to top of mind is the wisdom of knowing where nuclear power plants are where you live, work or travel in the United States and around the world. One source of information pulled together in a convenient format is the World Wide Nuclear Power Plant Guide.

 . This guide lists nuclear power plants by country, number of reactors and location of over 440 nuclear power plant reactors worldwide. Knowing how close you will be to a nuclear power plant is one more piece of information to be aware of for your own piece of mind.