2. What are Nuclear Elements
Elements whose nuclei are
unstable and give off atomic
radiation as part of a process of
attaining stability.
Generally found rarely in
nature as they are more
unstable.
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3. Types of radiation:
Particles containing 2 protons and 2
neutrons (similar to He atom)
Heavier than other particles emitted.
Travels at 5-7% speed of light.
Majorly used in smoke detectors
As they are more heavy and bigger in size
they can be easily trapped. Thus, making
it less harmful.
Normally can be trapped by any cloth
piece.
1. Alpha particles (α)
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4. 2. Beta Particles (β)
Particles containing a
proton or a electron.
Two types of beta
particles:
β
+
particles – containing
one proton
Β
-
particles – containing
one electon
Normally can easily
trapped by aluminium foil
and water.
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5. 3. Gamma Particles (γ)
Basically, not particles but
form of electromagnetic
waves.
Travels at a speed of light.
Majorly used in
sterilization process.
It is much harder to trap
gamma particles as they
are a form of
electromagnetic waves.
Major problem in nuclear
reactors.
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12. What is Nuclear Waste?
• Byproducts of nuclear power generation,
nuclear weapons production, and other nuclear-
related activities.
• Composed of radioactive materials.
• can remain hazardous for thousands of years.
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14. Low-level Nuclear Waste
• includes equipment and protective clothing
• only 1% of total radioactive potency
• (90% of total waste) majority of nuclear waste generated
• easy to handle and dispose of 14
15. Intermediate-level
Nuclear Waste
• contains higher levels of radioactivity
• eg: reactor components, ion exchange resins,
and some laboratory waste
• generated mainly by nuclear power plants and
research facilities
• hazardous for tens of thousands of years
• can be disposed of in engineered facilities
• requires careful handling and disposal
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16. Intermediate-level
Nuclear Waste
• contains higher levels of radioactivity
• eg: reactor components, ion exchange resins,
and some laboratory waste
• generated mainly by nuclear power plants and
research facilities
• hazardous for tens of thousands of years
• can be disposed of in engineered facilities
• requires careful handling and disposal
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17. Hight-level
Nuclear Waste
• most radioactive and dangerous type of
nuclear waste.
• generated by nuclear power plants and the
reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel from
nuclear reactors.
• highly toxic and can remain dangerous for
hundreds of thousands of years.
• require careful handling and storage to
prevent accidents and protect workers and
the environment. 17
18. Storage and
Disposal of
Radioactive Waste
• Storage can be either temporary or long-
term, depending on the level of
radioactivity and the intended disposal
method.
• Short-term storage typically involves
placing the waste in secure containers
• Long-term storage may involve storing the
waste in deep geological repositories
• Disposal of radioactive waste typically
involves either burial or incineration.
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19. Transport
• requires careful planning and
management to minimize the risk of
accidents and contamination.
• transported in specially designed
containers that are heavily shielded
to protect against radiation.
• routes must be carefully chosen to
avoid populated areas and other
sensitive locations.
• transport vehicles must be regularly
inspected and maintained to ensure
their safety.
• critical part of the disposal process 19
20. Disposal of
radioactive waste
• Shallow land burial: Low-level
radioactive waste can be disposed
of in shallow land burial sites
• placing in trenches or pits, covered
with soil or other materials
• Deep geological repositories:
disposing of high-level radioactive
waste is to store it in deep
geological repositories
• Incineration: This can reduce the
volume of the waste and destroy
harmful contaminants
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23. 5 worst nuclear
accidents
1. Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster
Ukraine, 26 April 1986
INES Level 7
Steam explosion reactor destroyed reactor
30 people killed due to acute radiation poisoning
2. Fukushima Nuclear Disaster
Japan, 11 March 2011
INES Level 7
Earthquake (9 Richter scale) caused 15-metre tsunami causing disabled
power supply hence resulting in three reactor meltdown.
100000 people killed
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24. 3. Kyshtym Nuclear Disaster
• Russia, 29 September 1957
• INES Level 6
• Caused due to faulty cooling sytem left to disrepair, rising temperatures resulted in
explosion
• Equivalent to 70 – 100 tons ofTNT explosion
• Nuclear fallout till 300 kilometres.
• A week later 10000 locals evacuated.
4. Windscale Fire Nuclear Disaster
• United Kingdom, 10 October 1957
• INES Level 5
• Caused due to uranium catridges rupture.
• 100 – 240 cnacer atients due to radiations
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25. Human Health Risks
• Radiation sickness
• Increased risk of cancer
• Genetic mutations
• Contamination of food
and water
• Accidents and spills
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26. Cutaneous Radiation Injuries (CRI)
Cutaneous Radiation Injury (CRI) happens when exposure to a large dose of
radiation causes injury to the skin.
CRI can be suspected when a skin burn develops on a person who was not
exposed to a source of heat, electrical current, or chemicals.
People who are exposed to radioactive substance releasing beta particles or
penetrating gamma rays are more likely to experience CRI.
Symptoms of CRI can take upto days to show up.
Basic symptoms of CRI are : Itchiness, Tingling, skin redness, swelling due to
fluids.
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27. Radiation Sickness
Radiation sickness is damage to your
body caused by a large dose of
radiation often received over a short
period of time (acute).
Radiation sickness is also called
acute radiation syndrome or radiation
poisoning.
Caused by common imaging tests
that use low-dose radiation, such as
X-rays or CT scans.
Common symptoms: nausea,
vomiting, diarrhea, headache, fever,
dizziness, disorientation, weakness,
hair loss, blood vomiting, etc.
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28. Genetic Mutations
Usually called Hereditary
Radiation Damage (HRD).
When ionising radiation acts
upon gonads or germ cells, it
may cause damage to the
genetic material (mutations)
which can lead to HRD.
Results in malformations,
metabolic disorders, immune
deficiencies etc.
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