Radioactive contamination

Radioactive contamination is another type of pollution; and a much more dangerous one.

Radioactive contamination occurs when radioactive material is deposited on or in an object or a person.A person exposed to radiation is not necessarily contaminated with radioactive material.
A person who has been exposed to radiation has had radioactive waves or particles penetrate the body, like having an x-ray. For a person to be contaminated, radioactive material must be on or inside of his or her body. A contaminated person is exposed to radiation released by the radioactive material on or inside the body. An uncontaminated person can be exposed by being too close to radioactive material or a contaminated person, place, or thing.

How Exposure or Contamination Can Happen

- A nuclear power plant accident
- An atomic bomb explosion
- An accidental release from a medical or industrial device
- Nuclear weapons testing
- An intentional release of radioactive material as an act of terrorism

What can you do in case of contamination?

- Get out of the area immediately;
- Remove the outer layer of your clothing;
- Wash all of the exposed areas of your body;
- Take prescribed medication after confirmation of the contamination.

Leonardo Campos