Radiation: Difference between revisions

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'''Radiation''' is a virtual pollutant in the game that slows {{infoicon|Population|Population Growth}} by reducing the birth rate. It’s produced by overheated [[Nuclear Reactor]]s ([[Nuclear Meltdown]]) and unsafely stored radioactive materials like [[Spent Fuel]].
'''Radiation''' is a kind of pollution produced by overheated [[Nuclear Reactor|Nuclear Reactors]] ([[Nuclear Meltdown]]) or the open storage of [[Spent Fuel|spent radioactive fuel]]. Radiation can be avoided by properly storing spent fuel in a functioning [[Radioactive Waste Storage]] or reprocessing it. A nuclear meltdown, and subsequent radiation release, can be avoided by preventing reactor heat from maxing out which is usually caused by a overflow of [[Steam (High)]] or [[Steam (Super)]] and lack of cooling water.


Radiation will apply a large negative modifier to a settlement's [[Population|Growth]], potentially overcoming any positives (such as from Growth Boost [[Edicts]]) leading to the instant death of citizens.
== Sources ==
* '''Reactor Leaks''': Occur during a [[Nuclear Meltdown]], caused by maxed-out heat from excess {{infoicon|Steam (High)}} or {{infoicon|Steam (Super)}} and insufficient cooling water.
* '''Radioactive Materials''': Generated when materials like [[Spent Fuel]], [[Spent MOX]], [[Plutonium]], and [[Fission Product]] are stored outside a [[Radioactive Waste Storage]], including during transport or at the [[Shipyard]].


== Radioactive Waste ==
== Effects on Population Growth ==
Various byproducts of nuclear fuel processing are radioactive. These materials produce radiation whenever they're outside of a [[Radioactive Waste Storage]] facility, including while being transported by belt or by truck and when stored in the [[Shipyard]]. A certain amount of radiation can be endured without harm, but too much will cause a health penalty. Each radioactive material has a Radiation Level, and the sum of the radiation levels of all exposed materials determine the health impact.
* '''Impact''': Reduces the birth rate, not {{infoicon|Health}} directly, slowing population growth.
* '''Averaging Period''': Radioactive material effects are averaged over 4 months.
* '''Maximum Penalty''': Total birth rate reduction can reach up to around -4 to -5 Growth under severe conditions.
 
=== Reactor Leaks ===
* '''Penalty''': Each leak reduces birth rate by roughly 0.13 Growth per month (based on frequency), with effects lingering over time.
* '''Example''': 1 leak per month ≈ -0.13 Growth; 10 leaks per month ≈ -1.3 Growth or more.
 
=== Radioactive Materials ===
* '''Penalty''': Starts at 480 units of radiation (no effect below this), with every 800 units above adding 1 Growth penalty, capped at -2.5 Growth.
* '''Radiation Levels''': Sum of exposed materials’ levels contributes to the total.
* '''Examples''':
** 1000 units per month = -0.65 Growth ((1000 - 480) ÷ 800).
** 4000 units per month = -2.5 Growth (maximum material penalty).
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Here are some tips for handling radioactive material safely:


* Build the reactor, reprocessing plant, and waste storage as close together as possible.
== Management Tips ==
* Keep belts short, and use only [[Flat Conveyor|Tier I belts]].
* '''Prevent Meltdowns''': Ensure {{infoicon|Nuclear Reactor}}s have adequate cooling water and manage {{infoicon|Steam (High)}} or {{infoicon|Steam (Super)}} overflow.
* When transporting by truck, assign a single [[Pickup|small truck]] to do the work.
* '''Safe Storage''': Use [[Radioactive Waste Storage]] to contain radioactive materials, or reprocess them in a [[Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing]] facility.
* '''Minimize Exposure''':
** Build reactors, reprocessing plants, and storage close together to shorten transport routes.
** Use [[Flat Conveyor|Tier I belts]] for quick movement and avoid long belts.
** Assign a single [[Pickup|small truck]] for transport to limit exposure time.
* '''Handle Moves Carefully''': When relocating stored waste, move it gradually to avoid a sudden radiation spike from multiple trucks.


Take particular care if you need to move a storage full of waste from one place to another.  If your fleet of trucks descends to move it all at once, the result could be disastrous.
{{Footer Infobox}}
{{Footer Infobox}}

Latest revision as of 10:43, 30 March 2025

Radiation
TypePollution
StateVirtual
Transported byMagic
Stored inEthereal plane
Created inNone
Used inNone

Radiation is a virtual pollutant in the game that slows Population by reducing the birth rate. It’s produced by overheated Nuclear Reactors (Nuclear Meltdown) and unsafely stored radioactive materials like Spent Fuel.

Sources

Effects on Population Growth

  • Impact: Reduces the birth rate, not Health directly, slowing population growth.
  • Averaging Period: Radioactive material effects are averaged over 4 months.
  • Maximum Penalty: Total birth rate reduction can reach up to around -4 to -5 Growth under severe conditions.

Reactor Leaks

  • Penalty: Each leak reduces birth rate by roughly 0.13 Growth per month (based on frequency), with effects lingering over time.
  • Example: 1 leak per month ≈ -0.13 Growth; 10 leaks per month ≈ -1.3 Growth or more.

Radioactive Materials

  • Penalty: Starts at 480 units of radiation (no effect below this), with every 800 units above adding 1 Growth penalty, capped at -2.5 Growth.
  • Radiation Levels: Sum of exposed materials’ levels contributes to the total.
  • Examples:
    • 1000 units per month = -0.65 Growth ((1000 - 480) ÷ 800).
    • 4000 units per month = -2.5 Growth (maximum material penalty).
Material Radiation Level
Spent Fuel 2
Spent MOX 2
Plutonium 2
Fission Product 4

Management Tips

  • Prevent Meltdowns: Ensure Nuclear Reactors have adequate cooling water and manage Steam (High) or Steam (Super) overflow.
  • Safe Storage: Use Radioactive Waste Storage to contain radioactive materials, or reprocess them in a Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing facility.
  • Minimize Exposure:
    • Build reactors, reprocessing plants, and storage close together to shorten transport routes.
    • Use Tier I belts for quick movement and avoid long belts.
    • Assign a single small truck for transport to limit exposure time.
  • Handle Moves Carefully: When relocating stored waste, move it gradually to avoid a sudden radiation spike from multiple trucks.