Effects of Radioactive Pollution

Radioactive substances are those which have the ability to emit high energy particles, like alpha and beta particles and gamma rays. They are unstable in nature and are continuously emitting these particles in order to gain some stability. When we are talking about the effects of radioactive pollution, it actually means the effects of these emissions on the environment and living beings of the earth.

Causes
Radioactive pollution is rising because of the increase in usage of radioactivity. It occurs mostly from the waste products that are left behind after the use of radioactive substances. These materials are disposed off without any precautionary measures to isolate the emissions, which then contaminates the air, soil and water. Large amount of radioactive waste is generated from nuclear reactors used in nuclear power plants and for many other purposes. It may occur during extraction and refining of the radioactive material. Nuclear accidents and nuclear explosions are two of the worst man-made sources of radioactive pollution.

Effects of Radioactive Pollution

On the Environment
When the soil gets contaminated by radioactive substances, then it is transferred to the plants growing on it. It can lead to genetic mutation of the plants' DNA and affect its normal functioning. Some of the plants may die after such exposure while others may develop weak seeds. When any part of the contaminated plant, including the fruits are consumed by human beings, then it causes serious health risks. Radioactive emissions from nuclear weapons are considered as the most harmful for the environment, as they stay in the atmosphere for as long as a hundred years. Thus, it affects several generations. Similarly, the radioactive substances from the land surface that flows down to the water bodies remain there for years to come. It causes harm to the aquatic animals. Thus, we can say that radioactive pollution has a destructive effect on the entire ecosystem.

On Human Beings
The impact of radioactive pollution on human beings often vary from mild to severe, and it largely depends on the level of exposure to the emissions. Among the particles emitted from these substances, the effects of alpha particles is the lowest and the gamma rays are the most dangerous. When the human body is exposed to radiation, then it reacts with its biological molecules and ions are formed in the process. This leads to the formation of a large number of free radicals that destroy vital molecular components like proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids, etc. Low levels of exposure on a small portion of the body may just affect the cell membranes and cause mild skin irritation. Other immediate effects of short span exposure of nuclear radiation are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of hair and nails, bruises due to subcutaneous bleeding, etc.

Long term exposure has far more serious health effects. The rapidly growing cells like that of the skin, bone marrow, blood, intestines, and gonads, are more sensitive towards radioactive emissions. On the other hand, cells that do not undergo rapid cell division like bone cells, muscle cells, and nervous cells, cannot be damaged so easily. It has a serious threat to various systems of the body that include the cardiac system, neurological system and reproductive system. The radioactive rays can cause irreparable damage to the DNA molecules and lead to a life-threatening condition. It causes genetic mutations that promote the growth of cancerous cells in the body. People with heavy radiation exposure are prone to skin cancer, lung cancer, thyroid cancer, etc. The effects of genetic mutation tend to pass on to the future generations as well. In other words, if the parents are exposed to nuclear radiation, then their child could be born with genetic birth defects and retardation.

Most of these effects do not show up immediately, but have severe long term health consequences. Therefore, it is high time that some measures are taken to minimize radioactive pollution. It can be controlled to a great extent with the help of safe disposal of the nuclear wastes. The radioactive properties of the waste material decreases with time, which may vary from a few days to a few years. Till then, these materials have to be kept in an isolated condition, so that the environment and living beings are not exposed to it.