ABSTRACT
The use of nuclear reactors to generate electricity continues to increase all over the world. By December 1979 about 128 000 million watts (128 GW(e)) were being generated by 249 reactors operating in 22 countries. In common with other principal methods of generating electricity, nuclear reactors produce waste products which require safe disposal. This waste differs from those derived from the burning of fossil fuels in that it is more radioactive, although not all of it is potentially more hazardous. There are, therefore, many aspects of waste disposal which are unique to nuclear power.
