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The sources of radioactive pollution can be classified into two groups: natural and man-made. Following an atmospheric nuclear weapon discharge or a nuclear reactor containment breach, the air, soil, people, plants, and animals in the vicinity will become contaminated by nuclear fuel and fission products .
The main source of radiation in the human body is potassium-40 (40 K), typically 17 milligrams in the body at a time and 0.4 milligrams/day intake. [28] Most rocks, especially granite, have a low level of radioactivity due to the potassium-40, thorium and uranium contained.
This radiation is a small portion of the total emitted during radium 226 decay. Radium 228 emits beta particles, and is also a concern for human health through inhalation and ingestion. The gamma rays emitted from radium 226, accounting for 4% of the radiation, are harmful to humans with sufficient exposure.
Radioactive contamination is a potential danger for living organisms and results in external hazards, concerning radiation sources outside the body, and internal dangers, as a result of the incorporation of radionuclides inside the body (often by inhalation of particles or ingestion of contaminated food). [14]
One dramatic source of man-made radioactivity is a nuclear weapons test. The glassy trinitite created by the first atom bomb contains radioisotopes formed by neutron activation and nuclear fission. In addition some natural radioisotopes are present. A recent paper [7] reports the levels of long-lived radioisotopes in the trinitite.
Dust and water leaving tailing sites may carry long-lived radioactive elements that enter water sources and the soil, increase background radiation, and eventually be ingested by humans and animals. A 2013 analysis in a medical journal found that, "The effects of all these sources of contamination on human health will be subtle and widespread ...
For many species, human actions are the biggest factor in their evolution. Andriy Onufriyenko/Moment via Getty ImagesHumans do a lot of different things to the environment, and there aren’t many ...
A similar case occurred in 2000 in Samut Prakan, Thailand when the radiation source of an expired teletherapy unit was sold unregistered, and stored in an unguarded car park from which it was stolen. [134] Other cases occurred at Yanango, Peru where a radiography source was lost, and Gilan, Iran where a radiography source harmed a welder. [135]