Waste as an argument against nuclear energy

Compared with conventional thermal power stations, production of electricity in nuclear power plants has distinct ecological advantages. The entire chain of events, from nuclear fission through waste treatment to waste disposal, can easily be isolated from the human environment. Added to this is the fact that the waste volumes arising are small relative to the amount of electricity produced and the toxicity of these wastes decreases with time. In contrast with incineration processes in conventional thermal power stations, which release a certain volume of waste products into the atmosphere (dilution strategy), the production and disposal of radioactive waste strictly follows a containment strategy. Repositories represent the final link in the waste management chain. Switzerland adheres to the concept of geological disposal which relies on a system of engineered barriers to ensure the safety of waste disposal without any need for supervision measures. (author) 3 figs., 1 ref