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MAN-MADE DAMAGE

Radiation caused by human activities has been shown to have an increase in its global impact due to evolving industrial trends

Radioactive Pollution

Radioactive pollution can be defined as the increase in radiation levels in the environment as result of human activities, behaviors, and other causes.

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Statistics exhibit that approximately 20% of the radiation that the environment and organisms are exposed to is caused by humans. 

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  • Such activities include: HIGH LEVELS OF RADIATION

    • mining

    • handling and processing of radioactive materials and waste

    • using radioactivity as a way to generate energy (in nuclear power plants)

    • radiation in medical equipment (x-rays)

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  • Other examples: LOW LEVELS OF RADIATION

    • Microwaves

    • Cellphones

    • TVs

    • Computers

    • Wireless devices

Electromagnetic Spectrum

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Electromagnetic radiation is “energy that travels and spreads out as it goes.” 

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  • The large variety of radiation of the electromagnetic spectrum leave room to generate radiation pollution when caused by human activities. 

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  • The magnitude of the pollution, however, depends on an object’s amount of energy and its radioactivity. 

    • Gamma rays are likely to cause the most damage regardless of how long a person is exposed to them. 

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The health effects depend on the magnitude of the radiation one is exposed to and as a result certain sources are classified as “high-health risk” or “low-health risk.”

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  • However, many types of radiation still have the ability to cause a number of health problems.

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Radioactive pollution can be classified as “continuous, occasional, and accidental” depending on the frequency at which it occurs. 

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Radioactive materials are very unstable and have the potential to  transform into other radioactive and non-radioactive materials, with unknown consequences.

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  • The amount of harm or damage that can ensue depends on the half time function of said material.

    • A higher half time function constitutes lower effects to human health; whereas a short half time will likely cause severe threats to one’s health. 

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  • However, there are still natural radioactive elements in the Earth’s environment that are important. (Ex. Strontium, uranium, etc.)

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