NUCLEAR HAZARDS : NUCLEAR HAZARDS Definition: Risk or danger to human health or

the environment posed by radiation emanating from the atomic nuclei of a given s
ubstance, or the possibility of an uncontrolled explosion originating from a fus
ion or fission reaction of atomic nuclei.
NUCLEAR HAZARDS: NUCLEAR HAZARDS Radioactive substances are present in nature Th
ey undergo natural radioactive decay in which unstable isotopes spontaneously gi
ve out Fast moving particles, high energy radiations or both, at a fixed rate un
til a new stable isotope is formed The isotopes release energy either in the for
m of Gamma rays ( high energy Electromagnetic radiation) Alpha particles & beta
particles (ionization particles) Alpha particles : fast moving positively charge
d particles Beta particles: high speed negatively charged electrons These ioniza
tion radiations have variable penetration power
NUCLEAR
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HAZARDS: NUCLEAR HAZARDS Alpha particles can be interrupted by a sheet o

Beta particles can be blocked by a piece of wood or a few mm of aluminiu
Gamma rays can pass through paper and wood but can be stopped by concret
lead slabs or water Sources of radioactivity Natural sources Anthropogen
made) sources

Sources of radioactivity: Sources of radioactivity Natural sources: Cosmic rays

from outer space Radioactive Radon-222 Soil, rocks, air, water & food Anthropoge
nic sources: Nuclear power plants Nuclear accidents X-rays Diagnostic kits Test
laboratories
Effects of radiations: Effects of radiations Genetic damage: is caused by radiat
ions This induce mutations in the DNA, there by affecting Genes & chromosomes Th
e damage is often seen in the offspring's and may be transmitted up to several g
enerations Somatic damage : includes burns, miscarriages, eye cataract & cancer
of bone, thyroid, breast, lungs, skin
Effects of radiations: Effects of radiations Many scientists are of the view tha
t due to the body s ability to repair some of the damages, the adverse effect of r
adiations are observed only beyond a threshold level. Other group believes that
even a small dose of radiations over a period of time may cause adverse effects
Damage caused by different types of radiations depends on the penetration power
and the presence of the source inside or outside the body
Effects of radiations: Effects of radiations Alpha particles lack penetration po
wer but have more energy than beta Thus, they are more dangerous when they enter
the body by inhalation or through food. Alpha particles cannot penetrate the sk
in to reach internal organs where as beta can damage internal organs Greater thr
eat is posed by radioisotopes with intermediate half-lives as they have long tim
e to find entry inside the human body.
Effects of radiations: Effects of radiations Radioisotopes enter the environment
during mining of uranium Radioactivity in the earth crust enters the crops grow
n there and ultimately in human beings Radionuclide's enter the water bodies or
the ground water coming in contact with the contaminated soil or rock Radioactiv
e iodine (I-131) accumulates in thyroid gland and causes cancer. Strontium-90 ac
cumulates in the bones and causes leukemia or cancer of bone marrow
Control of nuclear pollution: Control of nuclear pollution Sitting of nuclear po
wer plant should be carefully done after studying long term and short term effec
ts Proper disposal of wastes from laboratory involving the use of radioisotopes
should be done.