"Spent" nuclear fuel rods come out of a reactor and need to be handled carefully. Why must power plants spend so much money and
be so cautious in dealing with these materials? A) Spent nuclear fuel is very fragile and can shatter easily and damage equipment. Eliminate B) Spent nuclear fuel is highly unstable, and likely to explode without precautions. C) Spent nuclear fuel is highly radioactive and can damage organisms and the environment. D) Spent nuclear fuel is very expensive, and some people desire to take some and profit from it.
C) Spent nuclear fuel is highly radioactive and can damage organisms and the environment.
Explanation:
Spent nuclear fuel rods are held in under water pools for decades to cool them off. The circulating water removes the heat away from the fuel rods. Also water acts as a good radioactive shield as fuel rods are still highly radioactive. Eventually after many years when fuel rods are inert thy can be moved to dry casks.
