GS Paper 3
Syllabus: Environment Conservation
Source: DTE
Context: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has released its annual report on the illicit trafficking of nuclear and other radioactive material (part of the Incident and Trafficking Database), stating that radioactive materials and contaminated devices are entering into the scraps recycling chain, posing a severe health hazard.
What is Radioactive contamination?
Radioactive contamination occurs when radioactive substances, such as particles or radiation, are deposited onto surfaces, objects, or people. E.g., Radioactive-laced waste products are often found while scrapping ships.
Sources of Radioactive contamination:
| Sources of Radioactive Contamination | Examples | Type of Radioactive Substance |
| Natural Sources | Radon gas | Radon-222 |
| Uranium in soil and rocks | Uranium-238, Uranium-235, Thorium-232 | |
| Medical Applications | Nuclear medicine procedures | Iodine-131, Technetium-99m, Cobalt-60 |
| Radiation therapy | Cesium-137, Iridium-192 | |
| Industrial Applications | Nuclear power plants | Uranium-235, Plutonium-239, Cesium-137 |
| Radiography testing | Cobalt-60, Iridium-192 | |
| Industrial gauges | Americium-241, Cesium-137, Cobalt-60 | |
| Accidents and Incidents | Chornobyl disaster | Iodine-131, Cesium-137, Strontium-90 |
| Fukushima nuclear disaster | Iodine-131, Cesium-134, Cesium-137 | |
| Nuclear weapon testing | Strontium-90, Cesium-137 | |
| Illegal Activities | The illicit trafficking of radioactive materials | Various, including Plutonium-239, Cobalt-60, Cesium-137 |
| Radioactive waste dumping | Various, including Uranium-238, Plutonium-239, Cesium-137 |
Health impact of radioactive contamination:
| Health Impact | Examples |
| Radiation Sickness | Acute symptoms: nausea, vomiting, hair loss, skin burns, and in severe cases, death. Long-term effects: cancer, birth defects |
| Genetic Damage | Birth defects, mutations in offspring |
| Increased Risk of Cancer | Thyroid cancer after exposure to radioactive iodine, lung cancer after exposure to radon gas |
| Long-term Health Effects | Cataracts, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, neurological effects |
The institutional mechanism in India against Radioactive Contamination:
- Atomic Energy Act, 1962: It provides a regulatory framework for all activities related to atomic energy and the use of ionizing radiation.
- Atomic Energy Regulatory Board to exercise regulatory and safety functions.
- Atomic Energy Rules, 2004 and 2012
Additional Information:
Tests for Radioactive elements:
Radioactivity in drinking water can be determined by a gross alpha test. Radioactivity is measured in Becquerel (SI unit) or in Curie. The unit Sievert measures the quantity of radiation absorbed by human tissues.
About IAEA:
The International Atomic Energy Agency (HQ: Vienna, Austria; Est: 1957) is an intergovernmental organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons. It was set up as the world’s “Atoms for Peace” organization. India is a member.
About the Incident and Trafficking Database (ITDB):
ITDB (est. in 1995) to assist States on incidents involving illicit trafficking and maintain and analyze reported information to identify common threats, trends, and patterns. ITDB is part of the IAEA’s Nuclear Security Plan that aims to Assist States in establishing, maintaining, and sustaining national nuclear security regimes.
Mains Link:
A recent report has highlighted uranium contamination in India’s groundwater. Discuss the causes, effects and ways to address the issue.
