Radiation pollution is being seen as the most hazardous of pollutions today. The radioactive substances and radiations that are generated due to nuclear activities in nuclear power reactors and nuclear power plants are known to cause tremendous harm to the human beings, as well as to the flora and fauna surrounding them. The most worrisome aspect about radioactive or nuclear wastes is that they retain their harmful properties for years.
Three kinds of radiations are generated due to nuclear activities:
i. Alpha particles which can be stopped by a piece of paper or by the human skin.
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ii. Gamma rays which can penetrate into the human body and harm all the cells. They can only by blocked by thick concrete.
iii. Beta particles which can penetrate the skin but not objects like glass and metal.
The sources of radiation pollution include ultraviolet rays, cosmic rays and radiation from radioactive elements used in
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i. Nuclear tests
ii. Nuclear reactors
iii. Nuclear power plants
iv. Medical X-rays
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v. Radio isotopes
vi. Radioactive ore processing
vii. Uranium mining
Effects of radiation pollution:
Radiation pollution can cause harm to human beings in a number of ways:
i. Exposure to high-level ionizing radiation leads to some forms of cancer. This also causes genetic damage.
ii. Radiation pollution can harm the bone, spleen and lymph nodes.
iii. It can cause loss of immunity.
iv. They result in loss of unique ecosystems. A number of flora and fauna species have developed new features as a defence mechanism against radiation pollution.
v. Radioactive elements that enter the environment can harm the soil, water and air.