Radioactive contamination

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  • radioactive contamination
definition
  • Contamination of a substance, living organism or site caused by radioactive material.
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Abstract from DBPedia
    Radioactive contamination, also called radiological pollution, is the deposition of, or presence of radioactive substances on surfaces or within solids, liquids, or gases (including the human body), where their presence is unintended or undesirable (from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) definition). Such contamination presents a hazard because the radioactive decay of the contaminants, produces ionizing radiation (namely alpha, beta, gamma rays and free neutrons). The degree of hazard is determined by the concentration of the contaminants, the energy of the radiation being emitted, the type of radiation, and the proximity of the contamination to organs of the body. It is important to be clear that the contamination gives rise to the radiation hazard, and the terms "radiation" and "contamination" are not interchangeable. The sources of radioactive pollution can be classified into two groups: natural and man-made. Following an atmospheric nuclear weapon discharge or a nuclear reactor containment breach, the air, soil, people, plants, and animals in the vicinity will become contaminated by nuclear fuel and fission products. A spilled vial of radioactive material like uranyl nitrate may contaminate the floor and any rags used to wipe up the spill. Cases of widespread radioactive contamination include the Bikini Atoll, the Rocky Flats Plant in Colorado, the area near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, the area near the Chernobyl disaster, and the area near the Mayak disaster.

    放射能汚染(ほうしゃのうおせん、英: radioactive contamination, radiological contamination)とは、放射性物質によって望まれない場所や物質(表面、固体、液体、気体、および、人体を含む)が汚染されること、または、その放射性物質の存在を指す。量、つまり表面上(単位表面積)の放射能を指す言葉として用いることは少ない。 放射能汚染の語は、意図せず、望まれない放射能が存在することを示してはいるが、関係する危険性の大きさについて具体的な指標を与えるものではない。

    (Source: http://dbpedia.org/resource/Radioactive_contamination)