Environmental effects of radioactive waste disposal to be studied carefully

Posiva Oy, the company preparing the disposal of spent nuclear fuel, has launched the process of statutory environmental impact assessment (EIA). Before a final decision is made as to selection of the disposal site, the assessment will determine the impact of the facility on the environment from as many perspectives as possible. An environmental impact assessment is performed mainly in order to help reach a decision on the disposal site. The assessment incorporates participation by the general public and analysis by experts. The principal objective of the EIA process is to examine alternatives. The impact of operations carried out during the construction, operation and sealing of the facility will be analysed during the process. The most problematic component of the assessment will be determination of the social and economic reverberations. (orig.)