radioactivepollution-2

RADIOACTIVE POLLUTION

WHAT IS IT???
•Radioactive pollution can be defined as the
release of radioactive substances or high-
energy particles into the air, water, or
earth as a result of human activity, either
by accident or by design. The sources of
such waste include: (1) nuclear weapon
testing or detonation; (2) the nuclear fuel
cycle, including the mining, separation, and
production of nuclear materials for use
in nuclear power plants or nuclear bombs;
(3) accidental release of radioactive
material from nuclear power plants

It is denoted by a tri-foil symbol which is
used as a warning to protect people from
being exposed to radioactivity . Sometimes
natural sources of radioactivity, such
as radon gas emitted from beneath the
ground, are considered pollutants when they
become a threat to human health. Since
even a small amount of radiation
exposure can have serious and cumulative
biological consequences, and since
many radioactive wastes remain toxic for
centuries ,radioactive pollution is a serious
environmental concern even though natural
sources of radioactivity far exceed
artificial ones at present.

SOURCES OF
RADIOACTIVE POLLUTION:
The natural sources of radiation may be:
•1. Radioactive Minerals:
The minerals containing Uranium- 235 ,
Uranium-238 , Thorium-232 , Plutonium- 239
etc. are capable of emitting energetic radiations
causing pollution.
•2. Cosmic Rays:
The cosmic rays containing highly energetic
particles reach the surface of the earth causing
pollution.