Radioactive Contamination of Environment 6th 12 21.edited

One can define radioactive contamination as the unintended/undesirable presence of radioactive substances in the environment like on surfaces, within liquids, gases, or solids (Osimobi, Avwiri, and Agbalagba, 2018). The radioactive exposure to the environment contaminates the touched surfaces, water, air, buildings, plants, soil, animals, and people. It is imperative to note that regardless of the nature of an ionizing radiation-related incident, irradiation, external contamination with radioactive materials, and internal contamination with radioactive materials become realized. Internal contamination occurs when people breathe or swallow radioactive materials. It can also occur through an open wound which enables radioactive materials to become quickly absorbed in the body through the skin. Though some radioactive materials become eliminated through sweat, blood, feces, and urine, some stay in the body and remain deposited in various body organs. External contamination occurs when radioactive materials contact a person's skin, cloth, or hair. Some of these radioactive materials come in dust, liquid, or powder. Unfortunately, externally contaminated people can become internally contaminated if the radioactive materials come into contact with their bodies.