Wastes
Waste considered for disposal at Yucca Mountain would contain plutonium. One billionth of an ounce, if ingested, can cause cancer or genetic defects. Plutonium has a half-life of 24,000 years (NWPO, 1997).
3,000 metric tons of highly radioactive nuclear waste is generated from commercial nuclear power plants in the U.S. annually (NWPO, 1997).
This waste contains alpha particles which ingested or inhaled are harmful and beta particles and gamma rays that can penetrate the skin (NWPO, 1997).