0 degree angle from an uncontrolled meltdown.(Kaku)Even though nuclear power plants are known as a dangerous source of energy they do have safety factors built in to protect themselves and the people around them. Examples of these safety factors include, having the primary system retain the radioactivity until it can be removed by systems that clean the cooling water (Kaku) and constructing the fuel rods of materials with great structural strength.(Kaku) The odds of a meltdown are one in 10,000 years.(Gregorcvich)Employees of nuclear power plants need to be cautious and informed of the risks. Nuclear [plant] workers are allowed to receive more than twice the amount of radiation that has been shown to double the rate of cancer incidence. Six to seven percent of worker deaths (more than 200 fatalities) over a twenty-eight year period were directly related to radiation exposure on the job. (Webb) Coal power plants also pose dangers to the environment. Large coal-fired power plants release several hundred pounds of mercury per year.(Coal Fired) An estimated 81,000 pounds of mercury tainted solid waste is discharged into the air each year by coal power plants. (Coal Burning Power) Coal fired power plants are the single largest source of mercury pollution in the United States and are responsible for thirty three percent of the total mercury emissions from all known manmade sources. (Fast Facts) In 1994, coal fired power plants emitted fifty-one tons of mercury. (Toll From) Coal and oil fired power plants released almost nine million pounds of toxic metals and metal compounds into the air that year [1998]. (Coal Fired) Coal emits 29% more carbon per unit of energy than oil, and 80% more than natural gas.(Fast Facts) Coal fired power plants are the largest source of sulfur dioxide, accounting for nearly two-thirds of all US. emissions, and are the largest stationary source of nitrogen oxides [this causes acid rain].(Toll From...
