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The effects of a nuclear meltdown are severe and long-lasting. The incident at Fukushima, for example, not only confirmed the danger of hydrogen gas explosions but also demonstrated that reactor containment structures could be compromised, resulting in environmental contamination. Radioactive isotopes such as iodine-131, cesium-137, and strontium-90 can inflict harm on human health and render areas uninhabitable for decades.
Moreover, the creation of new radioactive elements from a meltdown complicates waste management, as many of these materials have incredibly long half-lives. The long-term disposal of nuclear waste presents a significant hurdle for the nuclear industry, requiring careful planning and advanced technologies.