Page 511 - Chemistry eBook
P. 511
Risks of Radioisotopes
• Biological damage – radiation can damage cells.
It can cause cancer.
• Accidents – Waste can escape from the nuclear factories and cause massive damage.
In 1986, a fire and storm caused radioisotopes in Chernobyl, Ukraine to spread all over the area, causing much long-term health damage.
• Pollution – Small amounts of radioisotopes are in the environment from human activities. Too much of this can cause serious health problems.
• Long-term storage – Some radioisotopes have very long half-lives and are active and dangerous for a long, long time.
These wastes must be stored in special containers for a very long time.
UNIT 12: NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY © 510
