The impact of radioactive waste on the environment has the potential effect to be devastating if improperly stored/managed. The largest threat posed would be if radioactive waste was leaked from containment. Some waste has the potential to cause biological harm if inhaled or ingested. Leakage of radioactive material can render areas of the environment uninhabitable. Seeing as radioactive material can have a half life from hundreds of years to thousands it is imperative it is correctly contained.
