NUCLEAR

POLLUTION

• Haneena M
• Ajmal
• Jisna
• Nikitha
• Nuclear pollution, also called Radioactive contamination, 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. Pollution of
the atmosphere by radiation and radioactive particles is called
nuclear pollution.
• 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.
• Nuclear power reactors do not produce direct carbon dioxide
emissions. Unlike fossil fuel-fired power plants, nuclear reactors do
not produce air pollution or carbon dioxide while operating. However,
the processes for mining and refining uranium ore and making reactor
fuel all require large amounts of energy.
• The effect of nuclear pollution is seen on every organism in the
environment, from bacteria to plants to humans. Nothing spared.
• Those exposed from far away may not see any immediate
symptoms. But various forms of cancer tend to develop and have
a shorter life span. Radiation also causes cell mutations that can
be transferred to the next generation.
• The fetus is affected by birth defects and cancer. Their lifespan
may also be shorter.
• Plants die and show some genetic changes and enhanced growth.
Animals are also affected and do not survive very long.
PREVENTION OF NUCLEAR POLLUTION

• The right safety gear, such as a lead apron, must be worn while
undergoing X-rays or radiation therapy procedures. It also includes
pregnant women. It is also mandatory to use lead sheathed walls in
imaging facilities.
• Workers are always monitored for the amount of radiation they were
exposed to while working at a radiation facility or a nuclear plant.
• Radioactive waste can actually be recycled to a great extent as
useable fuel is still being made into useless materials that can
later be reclaimed.
• Power plants must ensure that radioactive fuel and waste are
transported and disposed of in safe containers that are long-
lasting and unbreakable.
• Operating agencies need to ensure that radioactive material does
not fall into the wrong hands, which they sell for profit to those in
the waging war business.
CASE STUDY

• Environmental radioactivity: A case study of Punjab, India

• The natural radioactivity present in our environment is a major
health hazard for human populations. Many health related malignancies
in humans have been attributed to the exposure to natural radioactivity.
Human beings are being continuously exposed to ionizing radiations. The
main source of these ionising radiations are the radioactive elements
present in the earth’s crust i.e uranium and thorium.
• Radon and its isotopes, being gaseous elements have a very special place
among all radioactive elementsRadon and its isotopes along with their progeny
account for more that 50% of the total annual effective dose to humans .
• It is a well established fact radon, when present in high concentrations is a
causative agent of lung cancer A case control study from Sweden also
indicates radon as a important risk factor for lung cancer in general
population .Studies relating radon to other cancer such as kidney and
malignant melanoma have also been reported .
• In the light of these facts a large no. of radon surveys have
been reported from various parts of the world . In India
also, some local surveys have been carried out in
different parts of the country, but not much data was
available for the state of Punjab to assess the levels of
natural radioactivity in air, soil and drinking water. to
assess the levels of natural radioactivity in air, soil and
drinking water.
RESULTS

• A total of 52 water samples from four districts were analysed.

The concentration of radon in drinking water in Jalandhar
district varies from a minimum value of 1226 Bq/m3 to a
maximum value of 7240 Bq/m3 with average of 3323 Bq/m3.
• In Amritsar district the value varies from a minimum of 2069
Bq/m3 to a maximum of 6340 Bq/m3 with an average value of 3789
Bq/m3.
• In Bathinda district minimum value of radon in drinking
water is found to be 1418 Bq/m3 while the maximum
value is 11044 Bq/m3 with an average of 4233 Bq/m3. For
Gurdaspur district, the minimum value is 5190 Bq/m3
while the maximum is 8220 Bq/m3 with an average value of
7210 Bq/m
• Among all the district covered under this survey, the
maximum average value is for Bathinda district while the
highest value in a sample has also been measured from
Bathinda district.
CONCLUSION
• The values of natural radioactivity measured in air, soil and
water in various districts covered in the present survey is
within the permissible limits prescribed by regulatory
bodies. Regarding the increased number of cancer cases
being reported from Bathinda and adjoining areas, detailed
and more extensive surveys need to be carried out and role
of other toxic elements and pesticides need to be probed.