What is Radioactive waste?
[[File:Nuclear dry storage.jpg|thumb|Radioactive waste, in the US]] [[File:Castor-Zug.jpg|thumb|Nuclear waste is being transported by rail, in Germany]] '''Radioactive waste''' is a term used for certain [[substance|substances]] that are [[radioactivity|radioactive]] and that are no longer useful. Most radioactive waste is a [[by-product]] of operating [[nuclear power plant]]s. Certain treatments in hospitals use radioactive substances. Scientists doing certain kinds of research use radioactive substances. [[Nuclear weapon]]s also produce radioactive waste. Low-level radioactive wastes are radioactive gases, solids, or liquids that give off small amounts of [[ionizing radiation]]. High-level radioactive wastes give off large amounts of ionizing radiation. Radioactive waste is dangerous to the [[environment]], and there are many regulations about transporting it, handling it, and processing it in such a way that the dangers are reduced. They can contaminate [[water]] and affect the living organisms. Storage of radioactive waste must be guaranteed for thousands of years, until it decays sufficiently to be safe to the environment and its inhabitants. Radioactive waste can be stored by deep geological burial or by dry cask storage. Dry Cask Storage is large cylinders of concrete and steel that are used to hold 10 or more metric tons of high-level radioactive waste. The U.S. currently has no long-term radioactive waste storage site. In 1987 Yucca Mountain, Nevada was a candidate for radioactive waste storage, but was shut down. {{Nuclear technology}} {{science-stub}} [[Category:Waste management]]