ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Environmental Pollution - Radioactive Pollution

Radioactive Pollution

Radioactive pollution is defined as the physical pollution of living

organisms and their environments as a result of the release of radioactive
substances into the environment during nuclear explosions and testing of
nuclear weapons, mining of radioactive ores, handling and disposal of
radioactive waste, and accidents at nuclear power plants.

Radioactive pollution refers to the release of ionising radiation into the

environment as a result of human activity. Ionizing radiation is the form of
radiation that has a short wavelength and a high frequency. In short, it's the
form of radiation that's commonly thought of as being high-energy and thus
harmful to living things. Ionizing radiation includes x-rays and gamma
rays.

Radioactive waste: waste containing radioactive materials. Usually, these

are byproducts of nuclear processes. Industries that are not directly
involved in nuclear activities may occasionally produce radioactive waste,
such as radioisotopes, chemical sludge, and so on.
Uses of Radioactive Substances
Nuclear Power Plants: Radiation is used to produce electricity in nuclear
reactors.

X-Rays: Radiation is used to monitor materials and processes by

nondestructive methods such as X-rays. A common application is in the
form of X-ray machines, which take photos of a patient’s body.

Treatment of Cancer - One of the most popular cancer therapies is

chemotherapy. Chemotherapy uses radiation to stop the spread of cancer
cells. In order to kill or harm cancer cells, chemotherapy employs
high-energy particles or waves like X-rays, gamma rays, electron beams, or
protons.

Radioactive Tracers - Radioactive tracers are commonly used in the

medical field to detect diseases and also in the study of plants and animals.
Example: Radioactive Iodine-131 can be used to study the function of the
thyroid gland, assisting in detecting disease.
Causes of Radioactive Pollution
Nuclear accidents from nuclear power plants: The worst nuclear accident to date was the
Chernobyl disaster, which occurred in 1986 in Ukraine. The accident killed 31 people directly
and damaged approximately $7 billion of property. Radioactive fallout from the accident was
concentrated in areas of Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia. Serious nuclear power plant accidents
include the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster (2011); the Chernobyl disaster (1986); the Three
Mile Island accident (1979); and the SL-1 accident (1961). Nuclear power accidents can involve
loss of life and large monetary costs for remediation work. Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster (2011)

The use of nuclear weapons as weapons of mass destruction (WMD): The use of atomic
bombs in the Second World War has shown the damaging nature of atomic bombs. The effects of
those two strikes in Hiroshima and Nagasaki that prompted the end of the war in 1945 have been
recorded as the main cause of children being born with complications such as mental retardation
as well as conditions such as autism and other disorders. The number of cancer cases present in
the two towns is more than those in the rest of Japan.

Mining: Mining mostly involves the excavation of mineral ores, which are then broken into
smaller, manageable pieces. Radium and uranium, for instance, are naturally occurring in the
environment and are equally radioactive. Hence, mining increases the natural geological
processes by moving these materials from underneath the earth to the surface. Other minerals
with a hint of radiation are thorium, plutonium, and radon.

Chernobyl disaster (1986)

Causes of Radioactive Pollution

Use of radioisotopes: Radioisotopes are used to make detectors and in other industrial
activities. Isotopes such as uranium have high concentrations of radiation in them. Often,
these types of isotopes easily reach the waterways through sewage lines. When the isotope
is released, it combines with other compounds and elements in water. This is the same water
that people fetch for domestic use. Moreover, fish use the same water to survive.
Consumption of these fish and from contaminated water sources means potential intake of
radiation.

Spillage of radioactive chemicals: improperly handled material used in nuclear medicine is

also another possible radioactive pollutant. There have been instances of spillages over
oceans when ships hit glaciers or coral reefs and end up releasing chemicals into waterways
or the atmosphere.

Tests on radiation: Radiation has been seen to have a lot of interesting properties, which
has encouraged a lot of scientists to conduct tests to learn more about it. It is one of the key
elements in the cure and treatment of cancer. Scientists have been exposed to radiation,
leading to their deaths or other complications.
Biological Effects of Radioactive Contamination
Genetic mutations - Radiation can cause genetic mutations, which can be
harmful. It causes damage to DNA strands, which over time causes genetic
disintegration. The amount and kind of radiation one has been exposed to
affects the degree of genetic mutation resulting to changes in DNA
composition. In the event that a human or an animal is exposed to too much
radiation from the atmosphere, food consumed, or even water used, then
chances are that their bodies have already absorbed the radiation. The
resulting mutation makes one highly susceptible to cancer. Some babies born
to pregnant women have adverse defects caused by genetic mutations like
low weight during birth. Effects such as disfigured births and impairments
like blindness in children have also been reported. Infertility has also been
mentioned as an effect of radiation.

Cancer: Cancer is the most dominant radiation-related disease. It has

developed over the years and poses a great risk to global health. Others
include leukemia, anemia, hemorrhage, a reduction in the life span leading to
premature ageing and premature deaths, as well as others such as
cardiovascular complications.
Biological Effects of Radioactive Contamination

Cell destruction: Radioactive pollution has diverse effects, such as the alteration
of cells. The bodies of living organisms are unique in that there are millions of
cells in one single body, and each has a purpose to fulfill. Radiation distorts the
cells present, leading to permanent damage of the various organs and organ
systems. In the face of too much radiation, permanent illnesses and death are
inevitable. Radiation is not easy to feel, but it is easy to realise that you have been
affected by it. The immediate presence of burns, red lesions, and sores is
evidenced. To make it worse, this can lead to skin cancer.

Soil infertility: Exposure of radiation to the atmosphere means it is present even

in soil. Radioactive substances in the soil react together with the various nutrients,
leading to destruction of those nutrients, thus rendering the soil infertile and highly
toxic. Such soil leads to the harvest of crops that are riddled with radiation and
thus unfit for consumption by both humans and animals.
Prevention of Radioactive Pollution

Proper storage: It is mandatory for containers carrying radioactive material to be

stored properly. For starters, such substances should be stored in radiation-proof
containers to ensure no seeping or leakage during handling. Proper storage means
no harm and can minimise cases of accidental leakage.

Proper labelling: Any item containing radioactive material must be marked, and
the label's instructions must include the required safety measures. This is due to
the fact that even a little contact of radioactive material can cause radiation to
enter the body. Containers containing such substances should be clearly marked so
that handling them is done with safety equipment.

Banning of nuclear tests: Nuclear tests are carried out to determine the
effectiveness, yield, and explosive capability of nuclear weapons. Radioactive
pollution of water, water sources, and air space is the result of radioactive fallout
from the cloud of a nuclear explosion. Nevertheless, the tests done to perfect the
energy contribute greatly to the overall presence of radioactive substances.
Moreover, these tests, though done in the deserts, end up escaping from one
ecosystem to another, eventually affecting the lives of many people.
Prevention of Radioactive Pollution

Alternative energy sources: The evolution and use of nuclear

power was not a bad thing initially. However, given the
environmental damage and threats it poses, it is past time for its use
to be phased out and for the world to shift its focus to alternative
and environmentally friendly energy sources such as solar,
hydroelectric, and wind power. The use of radioactivity to generate
energy in nuclear power plants, for example, leads to the production
of more radiation into the atmosphere considering the waste
released from the various processes and combustion.
Question
Part A

1. What is radioactive pollution?

2. Write a short note on nuclear accidents. List two such incidents.
3. How does radioactive pollution make soil infertile?
4. List four diseases in humans caused due to prolonged exposure to radioactive substances.

Part B

1. What are the main causes of radioactive pollution?

2. What are radioactive substances used for?
3. What are the effects of radioactive pollution on living things?
4. What are the effects of radioactive pollution on a human body?
5. What are the steps that can be taken to prevent radioactive pollution?
6. Do radioactive pollution cause cancer in living organisms? Elaborate.
7. How does radioactive pollution induce genetic mutation in living organisms?

Part C

1. Write an essay on radioactive pollution.