Radioactive pollution, also known as nuclear pollution, refers to the presence of radioactive substances in the environment that can have harmful effects on living organisms and ecosystems. These substances contain unstable atomic nuclei that undergo radioactive decay, releasing ionising radiation in the form of alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays.
2. CONTENTS
● Introduction
● Types of Radioactive Pollution
● Sources
● Causes for radioactive pollution
● Effects of radioactive pollution
● Prevention
● Summary
3. INTRODUCTION
What is radioactive pollution?
● According to International
Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA), It is the presence or
deposition of radioactive
substances on surfaces or
within solids, liquids or
gases including human
body and other living
organisms, where their
presence is unintended or
undesirable.
4. Types of Radioactive Pollution
Continuous pollution
● Pollution is always widespread in the environment of nuclear
reactors
● The majority of them are to blame for the excessive levels of
radioactivity in the environment
● Uranium mines are also responsible for a never-ending stream of
pollutants
● The use of uranium and other radioactive chemicals in test
facilities, particularly in military-grade weaponry, is a persistent
source of contamination
5. Occasional pollution
● Occasionally, contamination occurs as a result of nuclear
testing
● The United States, North Korea, and other countries with
significant levels of radioactive contamination have all
conducted missile tests
● The employment of such weapons in invasions like Nagasaki
has also been a cause of radioactive contamination on
occasion
6.
7. Accidental pollution
● Nuclear mishaps or uranium leaks might result in
accidental contamination.
● In 1986, Ukraine saw one of the most well-known
nuclear power plant explosions.
● When the main reactor of the Chernobyl nuclear power
facility lost electricity, it exploded.
8. SOURCES
● Earth
● Mining
ex:- Uranium ores
● Elements - Uranium, Thorium, Radium, Radon, Polonium,
Plutonium
● According to Einstein’s equation (E=mc²)
9. ● This unaffordable energy is collected in atmosphere, soil
and water leads to radioactive pollution which is harmful
to entire world
10. HOW RADIOACTIVE POLLUTION IS
OCCURED?
Mainly this is occurred by all human activities.
● Nuclear power plants
11% of world electricity is generated through nuclear power
plants
Accidents at these power plants cause dangerously high
radioactive pollution
Due to safety precautions which are taken, the radioactive
pollution has been reduced to a minimum level
11. Name Country Capacity Details
Kashiwazaki-
Kariwa
Japan 7965 MW
Current world largest nuclear
power plant
Fukushima Japan
4268 MW
The powerful tsunami waves
triggers by 9.0 magnitude undersea
earthquake caused meltdown in
this.
Hanul Nuclear
P.W.
South
Korea
6189 MW
Largest nuclear power plant in
South Korea
Zaporizhzhia Ukraine 5700 MW
Largest nuclear power plant in
Europe
12. •Nuclear weapons
Nuclear bombs, guns, bullets are highly used in wars
•Nuclear accidents
Nuclear explosion of nuclear power plant in Chernobyl (1986)
Explosion at the Three Mile Island nuclear power generating plant
near Harrisburg (1979)
Nuclear disaster at Fukushima Daiichi (2011)
13. ● Coal ash
Inhaling is dangerous (dirty coal)
● Medical Waste
Radioactive isotopes are used for treatments in cancer (Cobalt-60) and
diagnostics (x-rays, radiotherapy)
They can be left to decay over a short period after which they are able to
disposed as normal waste
● Electronic and other devices
Microwaves, Cell phones, Radio transmitters, Wireless devices,
Computers, Broadcast antennas, Military and Aviation radars, Satellites,
and Wireless internet
14. EFFECTS OF RADIOACTIVE POLLUTION
● The magnitude of the adverse effects largely depends on
the level and duration of exposure to radioactivity
● Low effects cause mild skin irritation, vomiting, diarrhea
● Long term exposure have serious health effects,
radioactivity rays can cause irreparable damage to DNA
molecules and can lead to life threatening condition like
genetic mutations
● Skin, Bone marrow are more sensitive towards
radioactive emission and skin, lung, blood and thyroid
cancer are common types caused by radiation effect
15.
16. PREVENTION
● Fission reactions should be minimized
● Nuclear devices should be exploded underground
● Nuclear testing should be done in zero population areas
● Production of radioisotopes should be minimized
● Extreme care should be exercised in the disposal of
industrial wastes contained with radionuclides
● In nuclear reactors, closed cycle coolant system with
gaseous coolants should be used
● In nuclear mines, wet drilling should be used
● Nuclear medicines & radiation therapy should be applied
when absolutely necessary
17. SUMMARY
● Due to human activities
● Very dangerous and very harmful to entire world
● Every production or action related to radioactivity should
be done or taken in a minimum level
● Safety should be considered highly
●
