The nuclear power plant is seen as an answer to the air pollution problem, since in operation its only emissions would comprise very low radioactive waste gases with a radioactive level comparable to natural background activity. The nuclear power plant has none of the chemical emissions which may be released in large quantities from a fossil-fueled plant.

The matter of radioactive emission from an operating power plant is dealt with in Chapter 5. It should also be noted that modern nuclear plants are now being designed for essentially zero release.

Although this book deals with reactor safety and places emphasis on licensing only as a means of showing that safety is established, it is never­theless appropriate here to comment outside these terms of reference. By detailing possible emissions from fossil-fuel plants, it is possible to view the very minor nuclear plant emissions in a more balanced light during the licensing process.