Radioactive Pollution

Certain atoms are radioactive, meaning they emit radioactivity during spontaneous transformation from an unstable isotope to a more stable one. Radioactive pollution results from contamination of the environment with such substances, which may represent a significant health risk to humans and other organisms. Radioactive pollution differs from conventional pollution in that it cannot be detoxified. Instead, radioactive materials must be isolated from the environment until their radiation level has decreased to a safe level, a process which requires thousands of years for some materials.

Radiation is classified as being ionizing or nonionizing. Both types can be harmful to humans and other organisms.