Radioactive contamination

Radioactive contamination

Radioactive contamination is the penetration of radioactive substances into the environment and the generation of radioactivity by them. They pose a danger to living organisms. Radioactive contamination also includes radioactive waste.

Biological effects Most strongly affect living organisms when internally exposed to beta particles. The extent of exposure to radioactive contamination depends on the ability to be converted into energy. The half-life of radioactive isotopes formed during the decay of the nucleus of atoms is: iodine 81,155 days, strontium - 51.1 years, cesium - 31.2 years. Approximately 21% of the potassium (K) isotope present in the atmosphere is radioactive. But its half-life is only 119 million years. Other particles of radioactive contamination do not contain enough energy for a biochemical process. Only electrons and gamma radiation can cause mutation in the absence of protection. Each decay releases energy in the form of radiation. Radioactive radiation