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The Effects of Radioactivity on the Environment

Radioactivity has profound effects on our environment. Understanding these effects can help us weigh the pros and cons of nuclear power, and understand the serious precautions that societies investing in nuclear power must take to keep local and global populations safe. The effects of radiation are largely dependent on the dose and length of exposure; however, radiation does have long-lasting effects on the environment that affect us all.
  1. Effects of Radiation on Plants

    • Nuclear radiation does not have the same devastating effect on plants as it does on mammals. This is largely because the radiation affects plant growth, often stunting plants or slowing their growth. Radiation can also affect the ability of plants to reproduce. Following the Chernobyl disaster, it took trees in the surrounding area three years to begin reproducing again. Radioactive plants can also pose health risks to humans. Plants that contain radioactive nuclei or radioactive iodine and are ingested by humans can cause cancer. There is also the problem of radiation being absorbed in soils and causing long-lasting damage to soil fertility.

    Effects of Radiation on Animals

    • Mammals are the most sensitive animals to radiation followed by birds, fish, reptiles and insects. This is largely because of the multitude of live cells found in mammals. Sensitivity to radiation also increases the younger the affected animal is. Embryos are particularly susceptible, which explains why there are often high rates of birth defects following radioactive exposure. Animals also suffer from bio-magnification. If they need to eat many smaller animals every day, and all those animals have been effected by radiation, the toxin load increases the higher up the food chain you go.

    Effects of Radiation on Humans

    • Radiation affects fertility in humans as well. Following exposure to radiation, women are often unable to conceive, or if they are able to, their offspring may have a variety of birth defects caused by radiation. Cancer is the No. 1 health effect from radiation exposure. Before radiation exposure, natural processes control the rate of cell growth, but after radiation, the cellular or molecular processes responsible for controlling cell growth may be damaged. This results in uncontrolled growth, which causes cancer. While cancer occurs in conjunction with long-term exposure to radiation, immediately following exposure people may experience radiation sickness or burns.

    Recognizing the Long-Term Impact of Radiation

    • The effects of radiation should not be taken lightly. The effect of even minor exposure to radiation can be long-lasting and can devastate entire ecosystems. With radiation, birth defects that last a lifetime and soil damage so severe the land cannot be used for at least three decades, we can't forget that the effect radiation has on our environment is long lasting. Radiation has detrimental effects not only to our local environment, but our global environment as well.


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