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How radioactive contamination is spread?
People who are externally contaminated can spread the contamination by touching surfaces, sitting in a chair, or even walking through a house. Homes can also become contaminated with radioactive materials in body fluids from internally contaminated people.
What is radioactive dust caused by?
It commonly refers to the radioactive dust and ash created when a nuclear weapon explodes. The amount and spread of fallout is a product of the size of the weapon and the altitude at which it is detonated.
How far does radioactive fallout travel?
Detonating nuclear weapons above ground sends radioactive materials as high as 50 miles into the atmosphere.
How does radioactive materials cause soil pollution?
Consequently, the releases from non-nuclear industries represent a continuous source of soil contamination with natural radioactive elements, by spreading of dust from rock and solid wastes dump, as well as by the overflow of wastewater from treatment ponds.
Can radiation spread from person to person?
Radiation cannot be spread from person to person. Small quantities of radioactive materials occur naturally in the air, drinking water, food and our own bodies. People also can come into contact with radiation through medical procedures, such as X-rays and some cancer treatments.
Can humans spread radiation?
How can a house become contaminated with radioactive materials?
Homes can also become contaminated with radioactive materials in body fluids from internally contaminated people. Making sure that others do not come in contact with body fluids from a contaminated person will help prevent contamination of other people in the household.
What happens when radioactive materials are released into the environment?
Radioactive materials released into the environment can cause air, water, surfaces, soil, plants, buildings, people, or animals to become contaminated. A contaminated person has radioactive materials on or inside their body.
What happens to radionuclides in the atmosphere?
Since the conclusion of the weapons testing in the 1980s, radionuclides in the atmosphere have largely decayed away. Detonating nuclear weapons above ground sends radioactive materials as high as 50 miles into the atmosphere.
How does exposure to radioactive material from fallout occur?
Exposure to radioactive material from fallout may occur in several ways: From direct skin contact with fallout particles in the air (external) From fallout particles that fell on the ground and that later come in contact with the skin (external)