Radioactive pollution is the release of radioactive materials into the environment, which can harmfully mutate DNA and cause cancer. It remains in the atmosphere for years slowly diminishing. It is caused by nuclear waste handling and disposal over long periods of time, as radioactivity can contaminate air, water and soil and effects are hard to predict. Nuclear accidents like Chernobyl and Three Mile Island are also causes of radioactive pollution. While techniques aim to manage this pollution, the planet remains contaminated by radioactive materials.

1. Earth Day:
Radioactive
By: Eric Perez , Destiny Sierra,
Hector Garnica, Diana Romero and Cuahtemoc

2. What is it?
Radioactive pollution, like any other kind of pollution, is the release of something unwanted
into the environment and, in this case, the unwanted thing is radioactive material. Radioactive
pollution can be a very dangerous thing because radiation mutates DNA, causing abnormal
growth and possibly cancer, and this radiation remains in the atmosphere for years, slowly
diminishing over time. There are many causes of radioactive pollution, which can significantly
harm the environment. There are techniques used to manage this pollution, however, we are far
from keeping our planet clean of radioactive pollution.

3. The Causes
Nuclear waste handling and disposal – may generate low to medium radiation
over long period of times. The radioactivity may contaminate and propagate
through air, water, and soil as well. Thus, their effects may not be easily
distinguishable and are hard to predict. Additional, some nuclear waste location
may not be identified. The main issue with the radiation waste is the fact that it
cannot be degraded or treated chemically or biologically. Thus, the only
options are to contain the waste by storing it in tightly closed containers shielded
with radiation-protective materials (such as Pb) or, if containing is not possible, to
dilute it. The waste may also be contained by storage in remote areas with little or
no life (such as remote caves or abandoned salt mines). However, in time, the
shields (natural or artificial) may be damaged. Additionally, the past waste disposal
practices may not have used appropriate measures to isolate the radiation. Thus,
such areas need to be carefully identified and access restrictions promptly imposed.

4. The Causes
Nuclear accidents – an already classic example of such accident is the nuclear
explosion at a former Soviet nuclear power plant from Chernobyl that occurred in the
mid 1986. Its effects are still seen today. Another example is the 1979 explosion at Three
Mile Island nuclear-power generating plant near Harrisburg, PA. The general problems
at nuclear weapons reactors are other examples of this type of sources of radiation
pollution. Even accidents from handling medical nuclear materials/wastes could have
radioactive projects on workers.