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CH3041
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
• The many
concentration steps to make reactor
grade UO2 (3.5%
235U) and the
re-processing of spent fuel
rods creates large amounts of
radioactive wastes.
• In the USA
Hanford (PUREX processing) will take 20 years to clean up (Superfund site) at a projected cost of $200 billion.
• Australia does
not have enrichment or nuclear
reprocessing facilities (France reprocesses the bulk of the spent fuel rods
from Lucas Heights).
from Lucas Heights).
