Radioactive contamination

Radioactive contamination is the uncontrolled distribution of radioactive material in a given environment.

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Many radioactive isotopes are produced artificially, either for their specific properties (such as medical radioisotopes) or as a byproduct (such as fission products). Some radioisotopes exist in nature, including uranium, thorium, and some isotopes of potassium and carbon. Radioisotopes share the property of spontaneous transformation, where an atom of a given element will transform into a different element, emitting radiation in the process.

Related Topics:
Radioactive isotopes - Fission products - Uranium - Thorium - Transform - Radiation

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Radioactive contamination is typically the result of a loss of control of radioactive materials during the production or use of radioisotopes. For example, if a radioisotope used in medical imaging is accidentally spilled, the material could be spread by people as they walk around. Radioactive contamination may also be an inevitable result of certain processes, such as the release of radioactive xenon in nuclear fuel reprocessing. In cases that radioactive material cannot be contained, it may be diluted to safe concentrations. Nuclear fallout is the distribution of radioactive contamination by a nuclear explosion.

Related Topics:
Xenon - Nuclear fuel reprocessing - Nuclear fallout - Nuclear explosion

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Containment is what differentiates radioactive material from radioactive contamination. Therefore, radioactive material in sealed and designated containers is not properly referred to as contamination, although the units of measurement might be the same.

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