VA Business Toolkit
Citizen Corps
Threats & Emergencies
Radiological Events
Radiological Events Home • Preparing for Radiological Events • Responding to Radiological Events
Nuclear reactors use a process called fission, or atom splitting, to produce energy. Nuclear reactors control the fission process by slowing it down, cooling it off, and controlling the number of splitting atoms in the reactor.
Nuclear reactors cannot explode like a nuclear bomb; they use different materials and structures. Nuclear power plants are designed to prevent the release of radioactive materials and include multiple protective barriers placed around reactors, making the accidental release of radiological materials extremely unlikely. However, when developing emergency response plans, it is still important for businesses to address such events.
