Well you left out the type of ionizing radiation to shield: neutrons. I don't know too much about the decay mechanisms that lead to neutron emission in fissionable materials, but I do know some things.
Neutrons can travel many meters and still be at dangerous energies. Concrete isn't actually very good at stopping neutrons, so you need several meters of the stuff to do much good. Water, or other materials which have a high hydrogen density are better than concrete, but keeping a couple thousand tons of water around your power plant is more difficult than you might think.
What it comes down to is alpha, beta and gamma radiation can be managed safely, but neutrons are dangerous too, and an inch of lead won't slow them down.
--
What ever happened to the American dream?
It came true. You're looking at it.
Slashdot Mirror
Well you left out the type of ionizing radiation to shield: neutrons. I don't know too much about the decay mechanisms that lead to neutron emission in fissionable materials, but I do know some things. Neutrons can travel many meters and still be at dangerous energies. Concrete isn't actually very good at stopping neutrons, so you need several meters of the stuff to do much good. Water, or other materials which have a high hydrogen density are better than concrete, but keeping a couple thousand tons of water around your power plant is more difficult than you might think. What it comes down to is alpha, beta and gamma radiation can be managed safely, but neutrons are dangerous too, and an inch of lead won't slow them down. -- What ever happened to the American dream? It came true. You're looking at it.