ABSTRACT
Many nations are facing the challenge of cleaning up and protecting our environment. The concern over radionuclides in the environment is based on the possible health hazard caused by the emitted ionizing radiation, especially in situations where radionuclides are taken up into the body by ingestion, inhalation, or absorption. The magnitude of the hazard depends on the distribution of the radionuclides within the body, the length of time they are retained in the body, and the type of energy of the emitted radiation. The initial reactions of radiation in the body will involve hydrogen-oxygen chemical species. Other interactions may produce cancer (bone cancer and leukemia), genetic effects, damage to the blood vessels, induction of cataracts of the eye lenses, and infertility with exposure to large amounts of ionizing radiation.
