RADIOACTIVE POLLUTION.

SUBJECT,

ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY

What is Radioactive Pollution?

Radioactive pollution is created when radioactive byproducts of a nuclear reaction, either man-made or natural, are dumped in the environment or in the vicinity of human settlements. Nuclear power and research stations are the major contributors to man-made radioactive waste. These facilities bring about a

nuclear reaction (usually fission) for the purpose of either production of energy (electricity) or research. When a heavy atom of a nuclear fuel, such as uranium, undergoes nuclear fission, it results into two daughter nuclei, both radioactive in their own rights. These byproducts aren't reusable and thus have to be dumped. The introduction of these radioactive byproducts causes radioactive pollution. Radioactive pollution is fast becoming a major concern due to the increase in the usage of nuclear fuel. The radioactive byproducts of nuclear reactions are often disposed without any precautionary measures to isolate the harmful components, which can contaminate air, soil and water. A large amount of radioactive waste is generated from nuclear reactors used in nuclear power plants and for many other purposes. It may also occur during extraction and refining of the radioactive material. Radioactive waste generates radioactivity and emits radioactive byproducts. Radioactivity is the spontaneous loss of energy from an unstable atom, in the form of various nuclear byproducts (radiation). It helps the atom gain a relatively stable configuration. This spontaneous loss, known as radioactive decay, continues till a stable (nonradioactive) configuration is achieved. The reason why radiation is considered a threat is that it contains enough energy to ionize a stable atom by separating an electron from it. If ionizing radiation enters the body of an organism, it ionizes the molecules found in the body. This leads to the formation of a large number of free radicals that react with vital bodily components, nullifying their effects by forming new compounds in their place. This can lead to cancer. The three main types of emissions from radioactive substances are: Alpha Radiation, Beta Radiation and Gamma Radiation. Among the three, the effect of alpha particles (which is, in effect, a helium atom) is the lowest and the gamma rays, the most. Alpha particles can be blocked by a mere sheet of paper (or, at a sufficient distance, even air!), while protection from gamma particles requires thick lead plates. However, accidental ingestion or injection of alpha particles can be fatal, since they can come in direct contact with internal organs and important bodily fluids such as blood. Radiation is only harmful when it comes in contact with the body. If it can be blocked, the mere 'presence' of radioactivity is not harmful.

The radioactive elements are produced in the environment and affect other materials also. It includes the strontium, radium and iodine. The gases and particles are produced by the radioactive materials. They are carried by the wind and the rain brings down the radioactive particles to the ground which is referred as nuclear fallout. The soil transfers these radioactive substances to the plants and ultimately they reach the human body and cause many side effects.

What are the Sources of Radiation Pollution?

1) Nuclear plants:-

Other sources of radioactive pollutants in the environment are received through the so-called controlled release of energy by nuclear-power generating plants. These power plants do not release greenhouse gases but it appears that modern nuclear power plants release radioactive gases, like Carbon 14, tritium-carbon and krypton 85 in amounts that are traceable in the environment and form part of the atmospheric pollution. The waste resulted, in form of radioactivity, brings hazard when unsafely maintained .Nuclear power plant accidents, if radioactive core is exposed and meltdown is occurring and releasing high amount of radioactivity, will endanger the life and surrounding environment.

2) Radioactive weapons testing sites:-

Nuclear energy released is called a nuclear explosion, and its effects can be both immediate and delayed but equally destructive. Its immediate effect is equivalent to multiple volumes of energy described as nuclear fallout, and is powerful enough to blast and burn anything within one kilometer (about 0.62 miles) of its range. Those who receive energy released by its explosion from farther distances of about 30 km (approximately 18.6 miles) radius, or become contaminated by the fallouts near the blasting site, will sustain the delayed effects, or the nuclear reactions, in their body. The volumes of charged particles received by the body continue to react and in the process, create chemically reactive compounds called free radicals inside the human anatomy.

3) Transportation:-

Transportation of nuclear wastes from one place to another, by any forms of transportation (air, land, water, sea) will possibly bring serious hazards to the environment if they are not maintained carefully and/or facing accidents.

4) Experimental Research Laboratories:-

Lastly, experimental research laboratories are considered sources of ionizing radiation, polluting the environment. EMF from electrical generations are also considered as harmful but not in the same levels as those used by research laboratories during their extensive research activities. Thus, this particular source of pollution has been singled out. The strength and intensity by which laboratories make use of electricity to power up lab equipment increases the amounts of radioactive pollutants released in the atmosphere. This increases the Radio Frequency (RF) received during transmittal of energy for telecommunication and EMFs for electronic appliance purposes.

What are the exposure hazards?

The effects of radioactive pollution or exposure to nuclear radiations were first reported in early 20th century when people working in uranium mines suffered from skin burn and cancer. The effects vary from organism to organism and from level of radioactivity of nuclear isotopes. The radiations destroy the cells in human body and causes cancer. High exposure to radiation early on in gestation can have damaging effects on the brain, notes the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Infants between the eighth and 15th weeks of pregnancy who were exposed to the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II were discovered to have

a greater incidence of brain damage, with side effects including lower IQs and, in some cases, severe mental retardation Although a dose of just 25 rems causes some detectable changes in blood, doses to near 100 rems usually have no immediate harmful effects. (The rem is now defined as the dosage in rads that will cause the same amount of biological injury as one rad of x rays or gamma rays.) Doses above 100 rems cause the first signs of radiation sickness including:

nausea vomiting headache some loss of white blood cells

Doses of 300 rems or more cause temporary hair loss, but also more significant internal harm, including damage to nerve cells and the cells that line the digestive tract. Severe loss of white blood cells, which are the body's main defense against infection, makes radiation victims highly vulnerable to disease. Radiation also reduces production of blood platelets, which aid blood clotting, so victims of radiation sickness are also vulnerable to hemorrhaging. Half of all people exposed to 450 rems die, and doses of 800 rems or more are always fatal. Besides the symptoms mentioned above, these people also suffer from fever and diarrhea. As of yet, there is no effective treatment--so death occurs within two to fourteen days. In time, for survivors, diseases such as leukemia (cancer of the blood), lung cancer, thyroid cancer, breast cancer, and cancers of other organs can appear due to the radiation received.

How can radioactive pollution be prevented?

On one hand, the peaceful uses of radioactive materials are so wide and effective that modern civilization cannot go without them, and on the other hand, there is no cure for radiation damage. However, the only option against nuclear hazards is to check and prevent radioactive pollution by taking the following measures and precautions.

Leakages from nuclear reactors, careless handling, transport and use of radioactive fuels, fission products and radioactive isotopes have to be totally stopped; 2) There should be regular monitoring and quantitative analysis through frequent sampling in the risk areas; 3) Waste disposal must be careful, efficient and effective; 4) Safety measures should be enforced strictly; 5) Nuclear devices should be exploded under ground. 6) Production of radio isotopes should be minimized. 7) In nuclear reactors, closed cycle coolant system with gaseous coolants of very high purity may be used to prevent extraneous activation products. 8) Nuclear medicines and radiation therapy should be applied when absolutely necessary and earth minimum doses. 9) In nuclear mines, wet drilling may be employed along with underground drainage. (pollutants According to a new study, contaminated sites can be treated with sludge from the treatment of distillery wastewater in bioreactors. The study demonstrates an efficient method for decontamination of groundwater based on bacteria in sludge that naturally convert uranium into an insoluble form that can be more easily removed.) 10) Shielding is used in occupations where contact with radioactive substances is common and cannot be avoided.
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Long term effects:The long range effects are known as the delayed effects and do not occur with in the few days .It takes few months to some years to occur. They cause genetic changes, mutations, decrease in life span and form tumors.
Contaminated Soil and Plants

Nuclear radiation can contaminate soil, leading to plants which contain radiation and pose a health threat to individuals. Researchers explored the Marshall Islands, an area widely known for nuclear bomb testing by the U.S. military in the 1950s and 1960s. They found that current soil samples and local foods, including coconut meat, contained radiation levels significant enough to pose a health risk to individuals.

Cancer

The Chernobyl explosion led to increased prevalence of cancer in young children in Belarus, the Russian Federation, and the Ukraine. According to the Greenpeace 2006 report, Chernobyl Catastrophe Consequences on Human Health, over 2 billion people have been exposed to the radioactive fallout, which will result in 250,000 cases of cancer, nearly half of them fatal.
Brain Damage

High exposure to radiation early on in gestation can have damaging effects on the brain, notes the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Infants between the eighth and 15th weeks of pregnancy who were exposed to the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II were discovered to have a greater incidence of brain damage, with side effects including lower IQs and, in some cases, severe mental retardation.
Damaging of DNA

A radioactive particle forms ions when it reacts with biological molecules. These ions then form free radicals which slowly and steadily start destroying proteins, membranes, and nucleic acids. A longer exposure to radioactive radiations can damage the DNA cells that results in cancer, genetic defects for the generations to come and even death.

REFERENCE:
1) Environmental Chemistry A.K.DE. 2) Environmental Pollution Analysis S.M.Khopkar . 3) http://www.buzzle.com/articles/effects-of-radioactive-pollution.html. 4) www.brighthub.com/environment/science-environmental/articles/91518.aspx