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Safely Disposing of Radioactive Waste -- Fact or Myth?

By Theodora Filis On February 2013, the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, Washington – One of America's First Nuclear Plants, and one of the two Manhattan Project nuclear plants that provided fissile material for the bombs dropped on Japan, reported a major leak of highly toxic sludge from a single-wall storage tank. Categorized as the “perfect radioactive storm” Washington Governor, Jay Insles said, “I am alarmed about this on many levels. This raises concerns, not only about the existing leak... but also concerning the integrity of the other single-shell tanks of this age” -- adding, “I fear the past  is  coming back to haunt us.” According to a 2010 survey of energy accidents, there have been at least 56 accidents at nuclear reactors in the United States – defined as incidents that either resulted in the loss of human life or more than $50,000 of property damage. Nuclear power plants operate in most states in the US and produce about 20 percent of the nation’s power. Near...