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Radioactive contamination
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<p>Radioactive contamination, also called radiological pollution, is the deposition of, or presence of <a href="/facts/Radioactive_decay/Ya6FVjt4">radioactive</a> substances on surfaces or within solids, liquids, or gases (including the human body), where their presence is unintended or undesirable (from the <a href="/facts/International_Atomic_Energy_Agency/o84JrwQ7">International Atomic Energy Agency</a> (IAEA) definition). </p><p>Such contamination presents a hazard because the <a href="/facts/Radioactive_decay/Ya6FVjt4">radioactive decay</a> of the contaminants produces <a href="/facts/Ionizing_radiation/vw0d9GaT">ionizing radiation</a> (namely <a href="/facts/Alpha_particle/dzNMs9WP">alpha</a>, <a href="/facts/Beta_particle/x8b3ttLn">beta</a>, <a href="/facts/Gamma_ray/5Drf913J">gamma rays</a> and <a href="/facts/Free_neutron/oRCM1geb">free neutrons</a>). 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. </p><p>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 <a href="/facts/Containment_building/kIlXYEEK">containment</a> breach, the air, soil, people, plants, and animals in the <a href="/facts/Vicinity/Su2e0d8z">vicinity</a> will become contaminated by <a href="/facts/Nuclear_fuel/8RhAomlJ">nuclear fuel</a> and <a href="/facts/Fission_product/xJd9MXXH">fission products</a>. A spilled vial of <a href="/facts/Radioactive_material/5WpCfbdq">radioactive material</a> like <a href="/facts/Uranyl_nitrate/RdyzMLgb">uranyl nitrate</a> may contaminate the floor and any rags used to wipe up the spill. Cases of widespread radioactive contamination include the <a href="/facts/Bikini_Atoll/NrrgM5pd">Bikini Atoll</a>, the <a href="/facts/Radioactive_contamination_from_the_Rocky_Flats_Plant/5NmSdQ0G">Rocky Flats Plant</a> in Colorado, the area near the <a href="/facts/Fukushima_Daiichi_nuclear_disaster/E74heuvS">Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster</a>, the area near the <a href="/facts/Chernobyl_disaster/mNj9JHyf">Chernobyl disaster</a>, and the area near the <a href="/facts/Mayak_disaster/cg02oPc7">Mayak disaster</a>. </p>