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  • Essay / Combating myths and misinformation around nuclear power

    Bangladesh's first nuclear power plant (NPP) at Rooppur, on the east bank of the Padma River in Pabna district, is in the process of being completion. The atomic power project which comprises two units with a capacity of 1.2 GW each will make Bangladesh, only the third country in South Asia after India and Pakistan, to integrate nuclear power into its mix energy. But even as the country prepares to make a foray into nuclear power, a general sense of apprehension persists, more generally among the general public, about its safety and potential health risks. This apprehension stems primarily from the pervasive myths and misinformation that obscure objective understanding of a complex and nuanced subject. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essayToday, nuclear power provides about 10% of the world's electricity and is the second largest source of low-cost energy carbon emissions, the first being hydroelectricity. Despite its impressive theoretical performance, public opinion towards nuclear energy is one of apprehension, with many believing that it poses health risks, is dangerous for the environment and is not very financially viable. First, it is neither easy nor advisable to brush fears about nuclear energy under the rug. It is necessary to answer them with solid data and reasoning to ensure that people understand the asset that nuclear energy really is. One of the persistent myths related to nuclear power is that it is dangerous because of the risk of catastrophic failures leading to radiation leaks. The VVER-1200 reactors, the type used in the Roppur nuclear project, are among the most advanced nuclear reactors in the world. These VVER-1200s are third-generation reactors with improved technical and economic characteristics to ensure absolute operational safety and fully comply with the IAEA's post-Fukushima safety standards. The main feature of the VVER-1200 project is a unique combination of active and passive safety systems that provide maximum resilience to external and internal impacts, including tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes and air accidents. Another persistent myth about nuclear power is that it is bad for the environment. However, according to studies, nuclear energy causes 99.8% fewer deaths than lignite; 99.7% less than coal; 99.6% less than oil; and 97.5% less than gas. In contrast, a study finds that air pollution caused by the burning of fossil fuels – a major source of fine airborne particles – contributes significantly to the global burden of mortality and disease. The study reveals that the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, was responsible for 8.7 million deaths worldwide in 2018. To put that into perspective, one in five people died this year- there because of air pollution resulting from air pollution. combustion of fossil fuels. Nuclear energy is not only relatively safe to use compared to traditional fossil fuels, but it is also a long-term source of green energy, which will enable Bangladesh to achieve a low carbon footprint. Due to the complications associated with the disposal of nuclear waste, nuclear power is widely perceived as an environmentally hazardous energy source, when in fact it is a clean energy source. zero emissions and.