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About Nuclear Energy
Why are some people afraid of nuclear energy?
Did you know that...*
* Click on headers below to expand content for more details; click again on headers to collapse content.
Less radiation is emitted from a nuclear plant than from the stack of a coal plant!
This is because coal contains naturally occurring radioactive materials – mainly, uranium
and thorium.
However, the radiation exposure received near a coal plant is still 100 times less than natural
background levels.
We are surrounded by naturally occurring radiation.
Only 0.005% of the average American’s yearly radiation dose comes from nuclear
power – 100
times less than we get from coal [1], 200 times less than
on a crosscountry
flight, and about the
same as eating 1 banana per year.[2]
[1] National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements No. 92 and 95
[2] CDR Handbook on Radiation Measurement and Protection
The top 10 myths about nuclear energy are...
Discover which are the top
10 Myths about Nuclear Energy vs. the facts (ANS website)
Other surprising sources of radiation are...
By reading Nuked!
Surprising sources of radiation, a Medill Reports article by Ashley Cullins,
you will learn about other surprising sources of radiation which help you put radiation exposure
in perspective.
Another slightly more technical overview is provided in the NE poster Trying
to Put Radiation Risk in Perspective [1.5MB]
Related Information
- Argonne’s Nuclear Energy Exhibition Hall highlights our pioneering role in developing peaceful uses of nuclear technology used by major nuclear power plants throughout the world. For more information, call (630) 252-5562 or email [email protected].
- Argonne OutLoud Lecture: How Advanced Reactors will Change Nuclear Power and the World (May 11, 2017)
- History of Argonne Reactor Operations [2.2MB]
- Nuclear Energy FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) [[an error occurred while processing this directive]B]
- NOVA episode: The Nuclear Option: How will we power the planet without wrecking the climate? Aired January 11, 2017 on PBS
Last Modified: Wed, September 25, 2013 9:50 PM