In the past three months of 2024, the United States has produced more focused than UraniumWhich is used for Nuclear reactors feedingIn any quarter of the past six years, Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported on Wednesday.
EIA stressed in a report of what is the increase in uranium prices and the resumption of production at the Missa White Factory in Utah, the only active uranium factory in the country, in a report.
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What does uranium production mean?
The increase in the demand for electricity in the United States caused by data centers and factories electrification Transport and buildings have renewed the interest in the country’s nuclear industry, in difficulties for a long time.
Companies are trying to launch two completely closed nuclear reactors, one of which is in the old facilities of the Mile Island. In an attempt to revitalize the national nuclear power supply chain, the federal government offered at the end of last year six uranium fuel manufacturing companies.
Focus production reached 375 thousand 401 pounds in the fourth quarter of last year, which is a number higher than the total production in the previous three years, according to the measurement of environmental impact assessment.
The show, mostly of two treatment facilities in Texas and Woyg Three times what was produced In the third quarter of 2024, which amounted to 121 thousand pounds.
What is uranium?
Uranium is a radioactive chemical element that is naturally present in the environment and belongs to the Actinid group and is known Energy emission ability During the disintegration of radioactive.
Nuclear energy occurs from the heart of heavy atoms such as uranium or plutonium. In the process of nuclear fission, the nucleus of these atoms is divided, which releases a large amount of energy in the form of heat. This heat is used to generate steam, which in turn drives the turbines to produce electricity.
Concentrated uranium risks
Despite its benefits in power generation, managing and using concentrated uranium requires major risks:
- Chemical toxicityExposure to high levels of natural or poor uranium can harm the kidneys.
- radiation: Uranium is weakly radiant, but disintegration products, such as radon, can represent major health risks. Exposure for a long period of radon increases the risk of lung cancer, especially smokers due to the synergy of the radon and smoking.
- RadioactiveNuclear energy production generates radioactive waste that must be managed and safely stored for long periods to avoid negative effects on health and the environment.
- Mining risksUranium extraction can display workers to inhale the descendants of radon, which represents the main health risks in uranium mines.
In conclusion, although concentrated uranium is necessary to generate nuclear energy, it is necessary to deal with it with caution due to the chemical and radiological risks associated with it.
Implementing the appropriate security measures and the responsible administration for Accommodation It is necessary to reduce the negative effects of human health and the environment.
With Reuters information.
(Tagstotranslate) United States (T) Nuclear Energy (T) Uranium (T) concentrated uranium (T) nuclear energy in the United States (T) Nuclear Energy Production (T) nuclear reactors)
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