Question

There is a trend in the United States toward using coalfired power plants to generate electricity rather than building new nuclear fission power plants. Is the use of coal-fired power plants without risk? Make a list of the risks to society from the use of each type of power plant.

Short answer

The coal-fired power plant cannot be used without risk and also another power plant such as nuclear fission power plant comes with many risks to society.

The risks caused by the coal-fired power plant are:

• Air pollution
• Health issues for workers
• Possibility of accidents in coal mines

The risks caused by the nuclear fission power plant are:

• Getting exposed to radiation.
• Disposal of nuclear waste.
• Prone to terrorist attacks.

Step-by-step solution

Power plants.

A power plant can be defined as a set of apparatus or engines which is used to generate power such as electricity for the building or machine at the cost of some risks.

Risk to society from coal-fired power plant.

The coal-fired power plant causes a different type of risk to society.

These power plants are the source of air pollution and also cause coal-mine accidents. The coal smoke which gets released from the coal-power plant can enter the human lungs and cause black lungs in mine workers.

Risk to society from nuclear fission power plant.

The other, nuclear fission power plant will also cause different types of risks to society.

This power plant is dealing with fission which has the chance to get exposed to radiation that can be devastated. Another problem related to this power plant is the disposal of nuclear waste which is required to do properly. Along with that, these power plants are also prone to terrorist attacks.