10 facts about nuclear weapons that everyone should know

When most people think about nuclear weapons, the first thing that comes into their head, that the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. However, this is only a small part of the nuclear history of our world. And although many know about the incidents at Chernobyl, Three Mile island and Fukushima — they are found all over the world — there are plenty of dangers in nuclear energy, which has not been given due attention. What most know about "peaceful atom" is just the tip of the iceberg of nuclear technology, and some things deserve more attention.

The reactor in Fukushima is still not curbed



In 2011, on the Japanese city of Fukushima was hit by a devastating tsunami, which had led to many destruction of the city. Unfortunately, the tsunami was only a harbinger of real trouble. One of the nuclear reactors of the city failed and radiation was released into the atmosphere in the Fukushima area. The government has made significant efforts to cleanup and TEPCO — the company responsible for the plant — showed the world that took everything under control. In the end, the news cycle has passed, and people decided that the disaster in Fukushima is over. In fact it has only just begun.

For a start, TEPCO is rapidly losing the trust of the Japanese public and the patience of the government, because suffers one failure after another. Not so long ago it was discovered that the company announced about the leak of rain water as much as 10 months. When it was discovered, the company tried to justify what he wanted to report it, along with a bunch of other things also went awry. The leak was serious enough that TEPCO had to throw all forces on Tihomirova local fishermen.

The problem is that the reactor that melted, is under water as most of the damaged plant. Along with high levels of radiation, it seriously complicates the process of closing the reactor. Not so long ago was sent to the robot, which was supposed to provide workers with a clear picture of what needs to be done. However, only lasted an hour before high levels of radiation did not destroy him, and buried him at the station. You will need about 50 billion dollars and several years to finally close the damaged reactors.

To become a nuclear power is quite difficult



Many people are concerned that some countries are going to acquire nuclear weapons under the nose of the international community, and then forward it to their enemies — thus the beginning of a nuclear war, which destroyed a large part of the globe. Not to worry, because in order to become a fully nuclear power, in terms of weapons, you need a lot of money, time and it will surely attract any attention.

The process, which is extremely complicated, and starts with the acquisition of radioactive elements in large quantities. And although it is not always difficult, the number of orders invariably entail questions of interested persons. moreover, nuclear science is very complex, and in the world there are not many experts with the proper knowledge. With all this technology of the centrifuges used in the production of nuclear weapons, is extremely classified, so the future of nuclear power will have to kidnap her and begin to make the desired settings on a large scale. That is, although to become a nuclear power it is possible to do so without attracting the attention of the world community, will not work.

There are an absurd number of graves with leaks



As we said, TEPCO is faced with certain problems of leakage from its storage sites of nuclear waste, but given the exceptional circumstances of the tsunami, this was to be expected. However, in many cases, especially in the USA, storage of nuclear waste is flowing very strongly and we are almost unable to cope with this problem.

In the US, for example, the only permanent storage of such waste located in carlsbad, new Mexico. In this city many people have mined potassium, therefore, was not against the idea of placing nuclear waste underground, if it brought money to the city. However, recently had a serious leak, and thirteen employees were exposed to high levels of radiation. Although none of the victims have not yet revealed the effects of radiation sickness (this can happen in fifteen years), people began to doubt that the storage of nuclear waste near the city was a reasonable idea. The city began to doubt the wisdom of its past decisions.

There is also a place in Hanford, Washington, which was once a major center for the enrichment of plutonium. Subsequently it was closed, but the cleanup continues to this day. Most of the waste is in the pile of huge underground tanks, and many watchdog groups complained that the tanks are leaking, and the government is acting too slowly, not taking any measures to prevent the penetration of radiation into the environment. Recently it turned out that one tank leaked, and that leak was discovered a year later. Such cases.

No one wants to store waste



Although everyone is afraid of accidents at nuclear reactors, many people don't think about the huge amount of nuclear waste that we have stored. Considering the very long half-life of most radioactive substances, these wastes represent a significant issue. And the fact that the radioactive material is extremely difficult to keep safe, even if it slightly complicates the problem even more. Obviously, nobody wants to live near nuclear waste industry.

Not so long ago we wrote about the project on which the US (problem sore) had planned to build a nuclear waste storage facility in Yucca mountain in Nevada. Against the project was made by President Obama and a community leader of the Senate Harry Reid hails from Nevada. Even research on the security of the proposed sites are unable to convince the powerful opposition. Obviously, people have irrational fear when they propose to bury nuclear waste in the backyard.

Radiation kills quietly



Most people consider that radiation is born in the process of serious accidents, but the radiation is actually all around us — sometimes even when we do not suspect. Radioactive and very dangerous radon gas is formed by the decay of uranium. Uranium is present almost everywhere on Earth, and thus the background radiation is constantly present. Yes, in most cases, people are safe, but sometimes the radiation gives them lung cancer.

According to estimates of EPA, radon kills 20,000 people a year, making it the second strongest cause of lung cancer after cigarettes. Since radon is readily stored in homes, it is recommended every couple of years to check them for radioactivity. Of course, it's not all of us. If it is detected high levels of radiation, are involved experts. As we learn more about this problem, people believe that the warnings about radon should be mandatory, just as gradually revealed a widespread contamination with lead.

Specific absorption rate



The idea that mobile phones can cause cancer, swim for quite a long time and remains deeply controversial. Numerous studies conducted on this topic, but none definitively not prove the existence of any significant risk or even danger. Most people believe that they are safe, but go and try to convince everyone.

The FCC sets the standards for specific absorption rate (SAR) of mobile phones. All manufacturers are required to test their models on SAR and post the results to the user manual of the phone. Nevertheless, many people do not realize that the specific absorption rate only works if you hold the phone a certain way.

Many phone manufacturers recommend keeping the phone much further away from the ear than you can imagine. Some models are tested on the subject of radiation only when you hold the phone to the body, distance to the head is not taken into account. Read the instructions and follow them if you want to stay unharmed.

The myth of cold fusion



Almost twenty years ago, scientists Martin Flaman and Stanley Pont stated that he had found a way to create a nuclear reaction at room temperature. This phenomenon became known as "cold fusion". If we managed to run it, we would be permanently secured nuclear energy, clean from radiation and environmental pollution. Of course, people got excited about statements of scientists and began to try, try, try.

They were in for a disappointment. Nobody has been able to repeat the experiment of scientists and no one still gave a theoretical model of this cold fusion. Despite the fact that everywhere are the statements about cold fusion, the skeptics remain unmoved. And, apparently, food for this purpose they will have many more. Truly peaceful atom remains out of reach.

Low levels of radiation exposure



Sometimes people forget that science is not ubiquitous — in the world there are many scientists, how many scientists, so many different opinions. When it comes to radiation exposure, scientists are divided. Some believe that any level of radiation exposure is harmful at least in theory. They insist that we stay away from any radiation, even the one that is used in medical equipment, unless the exposure will not be vital.

On the other hand, some scholars argue that even prolonged exposure to low-level radiation may be harmless. John Cameron from the University of Wisconsin-Madison thinks she might even be useful, since low doses of radiation trigger the immune system. But as we have said, the scientific community has not yet come to a single answer. Research is being conducted on both fronts, although still unconvincing. The answer to the question about the benefits or harm of radiation exposure will play an important role in our battle with cancer.

In the world tested over 2000 nuclear bombs When it comes to nuclear explosions, we remember Hiroshima and Nagasaki. We're talking about the disaster in Chernobyl and the recent accident in Fukushima. Many complain of high levels of radiation in the environment as a result of the effects of these weapons and talk about the need to take action. The truth is that all of this is a drop in the bucket compared to the absurd number of nuclear bombs that have been detonated around the world. For the most part they are rarely used as weapons before to claim their rights at the world nuclear powers are trying their thoroughly tested.

With this objective in countries like USA, Russia, UK, France for several decades held an insane number of nuclear tests. Time-lapse video above shows all the bombs that were blown up in tests from 1945 to recent tests in Pakistan and North Korea. The figures are frightening — in a few decades we blew up more than 2000 bombs across the globe. One can only imagine what the level of radiation in our world was before we began to ruin it with nuclear explosions.

The threat of nuclear programs North Кореи



Many people are extremely concerned about the development of nuclear programs of countries around the world, and in recent years, the eyes of the international community addressed to Iran and North Korea. Not long ago, the UN Security Council in Alliance with Germany and the EU have signed a historic agreement with Iran that prevents the creation of nuclear weapons. In turn, the Alliance will remove many of the sanctions against Iran, and the country will be able to develop in this direction for the solution of energy problems, although in a narrow framework. However, no one ever worried about Iran — the country has a fairly stable government and no plans to bomb a neighboring state. You can not say about North Korea.

Many people start to laugh when North Korea threatens the world, but in recent years the DPRK has conducted many nuclear weapons tests that her threats are beginning to take shape. Since the tests were followed by sanctions from the international community, it obviously takes the threat seriously. Since the last test in 2013, the DPRK, like miniaturisatie warhead that could fit in a conventional rocket. People are skeptical about the combat capability of North Korea, but the country has enough enriched material for missiles and she is very good at keeping secrets. The question is, will she be able to dump the precious cargo on the head of his neighbor and dare to this in principle? published

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Source: hi-news.ru