Nuclear power plants are one of the biggest producers of energy in the world, currently
providing about 11% of the world’s total electricity production.
Nuclear reactors work by using the energy released from the splitting of atoms to produce
steam, which in turn powers a turbine that generates electricity.
Nuclear power is statistically very safe, but what might happen to you if there’s
an accident?
It’s impossible for a nuclear reactor to blow up like a bomb, but what if you were
exposed to the highly radioactive spent fuel rods?
Radiation is dangerous because it causes damage directly to the cells that make up your body,
breaking chemical bonds and mutating your DNA!
A very quick and low dose may leave you feeling just a little ill, like you have the flu,
and your chances of recovery are quite high.
A slightly higher or more prolonged exposure will start killing off blood cells and damage
bone marrow, and you’d most likely need a blood transfusion to survive.
The radiation at this level will also start burning your skin.
A very unhealthy way to get a tan.
At an even higher dosage, your internal organs will be permanently damaged, your brain and
circulatory system will start to shut down, and while the exact level of exposure may
mean that you’ll live anywhere from a couple weeks to just a few hours, death is almost
certain.
But just because you were able to survive the short-term effects doesn’t mean you’re
safe.
Exposure to radiation carries with it a hugely increased risk of cancer and other health
problems later in life.
And while there aren’t any reports outside of comic books and movies of someone gaining
superpowers from nuclear radiation, we’ll let you know if we hear anything.
If you would like to make Fuzzy & Nutz happy, hit that like button and subscribe to their
channel