Radioactive Pollution

The pollution caused by the emission of radiation in the environment due to reactions of radioactive substances and due to the presence of radioactive substances in the air, water and earth is called radioactive pollution.

Causes of radioactive pollution:

• Nuclear explosions.
• Ignition of nuclear weapons like atomic bombs and hydrogen bombs etc.
• Nuclear wars.
• Unnecessary use of nuclear energy.
• Nuclear waste and its disposal may cause contamination of water, land, and air.
• Mining of radioactive ores (such as uranium ores) involves the crushing and processing of radioactive ores and generates radioactive by-products.
• Nuclear weapon testing.
• Leakage of radioactive matter into the environment.

Types of radioactive pollution:

• Continuous pollution.
• Occasional pollution.
• Accidental pollution.

Harmful effects of radioactive pollution:

• When soil gets contaminated by radioactive substances, the harmful contents are transferred to plants growing in that soil and can cause genetic mutation in plants and can hinders their normal functioning.
• When water gets polluted by the radioactive substances, it disturbs the entire aquatic life. The aquatic food chain is disturbed. Small fishes die which are source of food for big fishes and humans as well.
• When humans consume these affected plants and fishes they can affect the health of humans.
• In humans; Exposure to low-intensity radiations for a long time can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hair loss, etc.
• In humans; Exposure to high-intensity radiation for a long time can cause fatal diseases.
• It can cause irreparable damage to DNA molecules and can lead to a life-threatening condition.
• Long term exposure can cause cancers and tumors in humans.
• Skin cancers, thyroid cancers, and lung cancers are caused by radiation emitted by radioactive substances.

Precautionary measures for radioactive pollution:

• The leakage of radioactive materials from nuclear reactors, industries and laboratories ought to be completely stopped.
• Radioactive wastes disposal should be safe. They ought to be become harmless kind or keep in safe places, so they'll decay during a harmless manner.
• Radioactive wastes solely with terribly low radiation ought to be discharged into sewerage.
• Preventive measures ought to be taken so natural radiation level doesn't rise on top of the permissible limits.
• Safety measures ought to be taken against accidents in atomic power plants.
• Select reagents and procedures that minimize the degree and toxicity of all wastes. If possible, style experiments in such some way that radioactive wastes area unit generated severally from chemicals or biologically dangerous wastes.
• Avoid ordering radioactive materials in quantities that exceed your supposed usage.
• Non-radioactive wastes must not ever be mixed with radioactive wastes. Failure to try and do this considerably will increase the degree of wastes.
• Non-radioactive tracers and ways area unit accessible for several common assays, and procedures employed in medical specialty.
• Substitute with fugacious Radionuclides wherever possible.
• Reduce the activity and volumes of materials employed in the experiment to decrease the number of wastes generated.
• Replace dangerous chemical solvents with formulations not regulated as dangerous or mixed wastes.
• Limit the number of users of radioactive materials.
• Limit the number of area units wherever radioactive materials are used.