What hazards may remain even after decommissioning a nuclear power reactor?
In every industry, permanent retiring of an operating plant, after its service life, is inevitable. In case of nuclear power plants because of presence of radioactive elements, guidelines and procedures for decommissioning are stipulated much in advance of actual implementation. At the end of its operating life say 30 to 40 years, a nuclear power plant contains some radioactive structures and worn out equipment. However, a major portion (over 85%) of the plant never becomes radioactive and can be demolished or reused without restriction. In the remaining 15%, after the spent fuel containing 99% of the radioactivity is taken out of the reactor and shifted off- site for disposal, only the reactor vessel and piping are of main concern; because of induced radioactivity caused by neutron irradiation of structural metals with their specific half-lives for radioactive decay. And secondly because of the deposition of corrosion products on equipment surfaces which can be decontaminated by chemi
