In nature radioactive material occurs either as naturally in the form of radioactive isotopes in rocks or as a consequence of human release such as during nuclear testing, normal maintenance of nuclear power plants and nuclear accidents such as those at Chernobyl and Fukushima Dallchi. Natural level of radiation sometime exceeds low baseline levels in uncontaminated areas by several hundred fold (Ghiassi-Nejad et al. 2002) resulting in significant rates of diseases in human (Lubin and Boice, 1997) and to other organisms can result in reproductive failure and death (Lubin and Boice, 1997; Ghiassi-Nejad et al. 2002).
Reproduction is considered to be one ofamong the most sensitive radiation-associated end points (UNSCEAR, 1996), and it not only determines the fate of the single organism, but also may influence the population dynamics and the balancestability of higher ecological units. Although many most of the tissues show negligible damage, the reproductive organs are very sensitive to gamma radiation because the germinal cells usually show moderate to severe damage (Tilton and Brower, 1983). The rapidly dividing germinal cells that are still in the process of differentiation are particularly radiosensitive, and because of their active division they express radiation damage quickly (Ref).
As atomic power is increasingly recognized as a potential energy source to sustain future human development, radiological protection of the environment will become an even more important environmental safety concern (ICRP 2003). In the past decades, scientific and regulatory activities related to radiation protection has been focused on the radiation exposure on humans. The prevailing view has been shown that, if humans were adequately protecte...
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...nizing radiation.
Many Much of the data concerning the effects of radiation on earthworms are derived from field studies in which, radionuclide activities in soil have been increased by artificial contamination or by field monitoring after nuclear accidents. These studies have shown effects such as reduced population size, changes in the distribution of life cycle stages, and reduced number of species. Hertel-Aas et al (2007) and Nakamori et al (2009) studied the effect of gamma radiation on the reproduction of the, Eisenia fetida, and found that gamma irradiation reduces the reproductive capacity of E. fetida. By keeping this information as a benchmark, an attempt has been made to seeperceive the consequences of gamma radiation on the reproductive ability and also on the seminal vesicles of the E. fetida after exposed to different doses of acute gamma radiation.
...r. Iodine 131, another radioactive element, can dilute very quickly in the air, but if it is deposited on grass eaten by cows, the cows then re-concentrate it in their milk. Absorbed into the body's thyroid gland in a concentrated dose, Iodine 131 can cause cancer. In the Chernobyl disaster, the biggest health effect has been cases of thyroid cancer especially in children living near the nuclear plant. Therefore, because of the Chernobyl disaster we know to test the grass, soil, and milk for radiation. Also, an evacuation of the Chernobyl area was not ordered until over 24 hours after the incident. Japanese authorities evacuated 200,000 people from the area of Fukushima within hours of the initial alert. From the mistakes and magnitude of the disaster at Chernobyl, the world learned how to better deal with the long and short term effect of a Nuclear Fallout.
There are many sources of energy today, and the best source of it is constantly being sought after, one source stands out above the rest. Nuclear energy is simple in theory, yet it may be one of the most controversial sources of power. Nuclear energy works using reactors built to split the atoms (nuclear fission) of the fuel to produce heat. This heat evaporates the cooling agent (usually water) into steam which turns turbines to create electricity. Nuclear energy should be allowed, because it produces an abundance of electricity, as well as being a clean source of energy with no harmful emissions. Nuclear energy is the future of clean, environmentally friendly energy.
Chernobyl (chĬrnō´byēl) is the uninhibited city in north Ukraine, near the Belarus boundary, on the Pripyat River. Ten miles to the north, in the town of Pripyat, is the Chernobyl nuclear powerstation, site of the worst nuclear reactor disaster in history ("Chernobyl", Columbia Encyclopedia). To specify, On April 26, 1986, Unit Four of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor exploded in Ukraine, injuring human immune systems and the genetic structure of cells, contaminating soils and waterways. Nearly 7 tons of irradiated reactor fuel was released into the environment—roughly 340 million curies. Included in the release were radioactive elements with a half-life of 16 million years. Yet, we humans cannot defe...
In early August 1945 atomic bombs were dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. These two bombs quickly yielded the surrender of Japan and the end of American involvement in World War II. By 1946 the two bombs caused the death of perhaps as many as 240,000 Japanese citizens1. The popular, or traditional, view that dominated the 1950s and 60s – put forth by President Harry Truman and Secretary of War Henry Stimson – was that the dropping of the bomb was a diplomatic maneuver aimed at intimating and gaining the upper hand in relations with Russia. Today, fifty-four years after the two bombings, with the advantage of historical hindsight and the advantage of new evidence, a third view, free of obscuring bias and passion, can be presented. First, the dropping of the bomb was born out of complex infinite military, domestic and diplomatic pressures and concerns. Second, many potentially viable alternatives to dropping the bombs were not explored by Truman and other men in power, as they probably should have been. Lastly, because these alternatives were never explored, we can only conjecture over whether or not Truman’s decision was a morally just one, and if indeed it was necessary to use atomic energy to win the war.
One of the biggest and longest lasting environmental impacts of the detonation of the atomic bomb is the radiation contaminations that are left over. These contaminations spread into water, air, animals, soil and into the atmosphere. What’s worse is that these contaminations have materials that have very long half-life meaning that their radiation effects do not decay quickly. “Many of the substances released, including plutonium, uranium, strontium, cesium, benzene, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), mercury and cyanide, are carcinogenic and/or mutagenic and remain hazardous for thousands, some for hundreds of thousands, of year” (The Effects of nuclear weapons). The spread of these contaminates will cause significant health risks to animals ca...
World War II brought up many new technologies for warfare. Advanced on existing developments such as weaponry, ships, vehicles air crafts, navigational devices and medicine are just a few broad examples of developments in warfare during this time in United States and World history. One development, however, changed the entire way of warfare. The Atomic bomb was developed during this time out of fears that the Germans had the same technologies, or at least were working to obtain it. Once the United States had this technological capability of producing atomic weapons, the way of fighting was changed. Two bombs were dropped on Japan in August of 1945, one on the city of Hiroshima and the other on the city of Nagasaki. Afterward, the ear of atomic diplomacy came up in American international relations, which as we have seen today, has led to the development of even stronger, more deadly weaponry and bombs. The bombing of Japan also brings up the still prevalent debate of whether the bombings were justifiable or not. Historians Gar Alperovitz, Robert P. Newman and Barton Bernstein all have written essays expressing their opinions in the matter.
After the first few days of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Americans, without knowledge of the aftermath of these cities, began cheering and celebrating as the bombings marked the end of World War II. Also, this event showed that Americans would be the ones who would lead the world into the nuclear age. In a Gallup Poll taken from August 10-15, 1945, Americans were asked whether or not they approved or disapproved of the use of atomic bombs on Japanese cities, 85 percent approved, ten percent disapproved and five had no opinion.30 then when asked if the development of the atomic bomb was a good or bad thing, 69 percent said it was a good thing, 17 percent said it was bad, and 14 percent had no opinion (Steele).
...r more than a hundred thousand years. (Lindsay, 2002) The Chernobyl Accident in 1986 which has not taken the right safety measurement by the power plants operator caused the nuclear power plant to release radiation. There were more than 30 people found dead in this accident impute to radiation exposure. (WNA, 2012; U.S.NRC, 2011)
Radiation has always been in everyday life even before Roentgen discovered x-ray. The mountains give off natural radiation, other forms of radiation are coal burning power plants, x-rays from a TV, and an airplane ride. The average dose from background radiation is about 360 mrem every year. There are two types of radiation, nonionizing and ionizing radiation. Examples of nonionizing radiation are microwaves and radio waves broadcasting. Ionizing radiation refers to gamma and x-rays. Ionizing radiation means that the rays are able to remove an electron from the atom then ions can be formed. The ions can cause damage when reacting with other atoms. Cells are able to be repaired if low dose are received. However, if cells get a high dose, the cells will be damaged or possibly die. If the cell is damaged permanently then it is referred to as a mutated cell.
Since the dawn of civilization, all living (and some non-living) things have needed energy. When humans discovered fire, the first form of harnessed energy, it made it easier to stay warm, prepare food, make weapons, etc. Since then, humankind has been inventing new ways to harness energy and use it to our advantage. Now-a-days, people in most nations depend extremely heavily on fossil fuels – to work, travel, regulate temperature of homes, produce food, clothing, and furniture, as well as other power industries. Not only are these fossil fuels dominating our society and creating economic vulnerability, but they also produce waste that causes a number of social and environmental concerns. The waste from these fuels leads to acid rain, smog, and climate change. It also releases sulfur dioxide as well as other air pollutants that are very harmful to the human respiratory system (Morris, 1999, p. ix). There are other alternative sustainable energy sources including solar, hydroelectric, wind, and biomass. However, the main source aside from fossil fuel is nuclear energy from controlled nuclear reactions (where nuclei of radioisotopes become stable or nonradioactive by undergoing changes) in a nuclear power plant. Nuclear power produces enormous amounts of energy to serve a community. Unfortunately, nuclear energy has its own set of problems – a big one being its waste. The spent fuel from nuclear plants is radioactive. This means that it emits radiation, or penetrating rays and particles emitted by a radioactive source. Ionizing radiation is known to cause cancer, and therefore makes anyone who lives near spent nuclear waste facilities vulnerable to this incurable disease. The disposal of nuclear waste is a global issue...
Why is the Atomic Bomb one of the most important inventions created in the United States? According to research, the atomic bomb is considered an essential invention to have in a country due to its destructive power created by the fission of either plutonium or uranium. Countries across the world would use the atomic device against other countries in order to make advancements. The first atomic weapons that were built for warfare was known as the Little Boy and Fat Man. United States is the first country in history today to ever use the atomic bomb against another country, specifically in Japan on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Although the atomic bomb was well known for its destructive power, it also made significant social, economic, and ecological impact to the world. Additionally, even though the atomic bomb ended wars, it still, however, struck fear in peoples' hearts due to its radiation and destructive effects. United States invested billions of dollars on the development of the atomic bomb, which would be later known as the Manhattan Project. One of the long term effects of the atomic bomb was that it caused the nuclear arms race during the Cold War. This case study will first discuss why scientists developed the atomic bomb. Secondly, this paper will discuss the engineering of the atomic bomb and the problems that builders had while building it. Finally, this paper will compose of the financial, social, and economic effect of the atomic bomb.
Radioactive isotopes are atoms with unstable nuclei that can either occur naturally or by scientists in labs. Radioisotopes have a huge and important effect on the technologies that provide us with food, water and good health. Scientists, doctors and even people everywhere have always struggled with food poisoning and food spoilage because of the insects, fungi or bacteria that can cause human disease or cause food to spoil. Food irradiation is the process in which food is made food safer and more resistant to spoilage allowing it to have a longer shelf life and to be in better condition since it kills disease-causing organisms and slows or eliminates those that cause spoilage leading to it becoming able to stay fresher for a longer period of time. The Radioisotopes that are most commonly used for irradiating foods are cobalt-60 and cesium-137. Food Irradiation has several advantages and some disadvantages which both have their cultural, health and economic effects (Uses of Radioisotopes).
Radiation is one of the most dangerous and easiest way of having health effects. Radiation was first discovered by Roentgen. Hazards are the first things people need to know in order to understand what it can do to your body. It causes many health effects on everyone out in the world. It harms people in the dentistry and field and even in the medical field. Normal people out the world can also be exposed when coming into one of these offices and getting x-rays of some type.
One of the greatest events of twentieth century was the use of radioisotope as a source of energy and as medical and industrial tools. Using radioactivity has been a global issue owing to its very nature. When it is used for peaceful purposes, it is a triumph of science because it can solve energy problems in the form of nuclear energy but the side effects in the form of harmful radiation and harmful radioactive waste is the real limitations of science. This essay will attempt to analyze the application of science in the use of radioactivity and radioactive isotopes and how science is not so effective in dealing with the side effects.
middle of paper ... ... (“Safety of Nuclear...” World Nuclear Association ). The amount of radiation released by the plant into the water in a day is less than a person would receive from eating a banana (Stone). What most people don’t know is how dangerous the burning of fossil fuels is.