NUCLEAR HAZARDS, CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF NUCLEAR HAZARDS

Radiation Hazard in the environment comes from ultraviolet, visible, cosmic rays and microwave radiation which produce genetic mutations in man. The biggest hazard comes from X-rays which accounts for 95% of out radiation exposure other than cosmic rays.

Sources of Nuclear Hazards :

Various sources of Nuclear Hazards are grouped into two types

1. Natural Sources

2. Man - made ( Anthropogenic ) sources.

I) NATURAL SOURCES :

a) The very important natural source is space, which emit cosmic rays.

b) Soil, rocks, air, water, food, radioactive radon-222 etc., also contain one or more radioactive substances.

II)MAN - MADE SOURCES :

Man - made sources are nuclear power plants, X-rays, Nuclear Accidents, Nuclear Bombs, Diagnostic kits etc., where radioactive substances are used.

EFFECTS OF NUCLEAR HAZARDS :

Studies have shown that the health effects due to radiation are dependent on the level of dose.

1. Exposure of the brain and central nervous system to high doses of radiation causes delirium, convulsions and death within hours or days.

2. The use of eye is vulnerable to radiation. As its cell die, they become opaque forming cataracts that impair sight.

3. Acute radiation sickness is marked by vomiting, bleeding of the gums and in severe cases, mouth ulcers.

4. Internal bleeding and blood vessel damage may show up as red spots on the skin.

5. Nausea and vomiting often begin a few hours after the gastrointestinal tract is exposed. Infection of the intestinal wall can kill weeks afterwards.

6. Un born children are vulnerable to brain damage or mental retardation, especially if radiation occurs during formation of the central nervous system in early pregnancy.

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