[so_real]

modern Nuclear plants, you know ones built between the last one we built more than 30 years ago and now, are scads safer.

Of that I have no doubt. But Uranium-238 still has a half-life of 4+ billion years (4.5, I believe) making "safe" a relative term -- all equipment eventually ages, and where people are involved accidents do happen.

[kharaku]

True it does age but even in Russia where their Nuclear gear is old, and maintanence is often ignored, they haven't had a serious Nuclear problem in a very very long time. In the US where they're far more likely to head such saftey concerns Nuclear is as safe as a NERF football.

[steveyp]

I would stand next to U-238 all day. Perhaps with a sheet of paper between me and it. Had a friend who played in powdered U-238 at a National Lab.

Very long half-lives don't scare me.

[Tribune7]

Of that I have no doubt. But Uranium-238 still has a half-life of 4+ billion years (4.5, I believe)

The French don't have a major waste problem.