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Radioactive contamination, also called radiological pollution, is the deposition of, or presence of radioactive substances on surfaces or within solids, liquids, or gases (including the human body), where their presence is unintended or undesirable (from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) definition). [3]
Radioactive waste is a type of hazardous waste that contains radioactive material. Radioactive waste is a result of many activities, including nuclear medicine, nuclear research, nuclear power generation, nuclear decommissioning, rare-earth mining, and nuclear weapons reprocessing. [1] The storage and disposal of radioactive waste is regulated ...
Environmental radioactivity is produced by radioactive materials in the human environment.While some radioisotopes, such as strontium-90 (90 Sr) and technetium-99 (99 Tc), are only found on Earth as a result of human activity, and some, like potassium-40 (40 K), are only present due to natural processes, a few isotopes, e.g. tritium (3 H), result from both natural processes and human activities.
The Rocky Flats Plant, a former U.S. nuclear weapons production facility located about 15 miles (24 km) northwest of Denver, caused radioactive (primarily plutonium, americium, and uranium) contamination within and outside its boundaries. [1] The contamination primarily resulted from two major plutonium fires in 1957 and 1969 (plutonium is ...
2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. 2001 Instituto Oncologico Nacional radiotherapy accident. 2000 Samut Prakan radiation accident, Thailand. [3] 1999 and 1997 Tokaimura nuclear accidents. 1996 San Juan de Dios radiotherapy accident. 1994 Theft of radioactive material in Tammiku, Estonia.
Health effects. Preliminary dose-estimation reports by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation indicate that 167 plant workers received radiation doses that slightly elevate their risk of developing cancer, but that this risk may not be statistically detectable, as has happened in the case of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
The first conversations surrounding dumping radioactive waste into the ocean began in 1958 at the United Nations Law of the Sea Conference (UNCLOS). The conference resulted in an agreement that all states should actively try to prevent radioactive waste pollution in the sea and follow any international guidelines regarding the issue.
A nuclear and radiation accident is defined by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as "an event that has led to significant consequences to people, the environment or the facility." Examples include lethal effects to individuals, large radioactivity release to the environment, or a reactor core melt. [6]