1. Safe storage: radioactive pollution needs to be stored in specialized containers, which do not break easily and which do not allow radiation to seep out.
2. Clear warnings: radioactive material can contaminate a person’s clothing or their skin. Then, as that person moves through the environment, they can contaminate other living organisms in their turn. Clear warnings about the presence of radioactive material will prevent this from happening. Of course, animals are not able to read these warnings, and this is why adequate containers are also needed.
3. Alternative sources of energy: seeking alternatives to nuclear energy will reduce the number of nuclear power plants in the world and thus reduce the risks that are associated with radioactive material. Radioactive material is present in various places in a nuclear power plant. Radioactive materials are used to produce nuclear power. Moreover, the waste that is produced by nuclear power plants is also radioactive.
4. Nuclear disarmament: disarming and getting rid of nuclear weapons is a very significant way of eliminating the hazards associated with radioactive material.
5. Proper disposal of radioactive waste: radioactive waste needs to be disposed of in a particular way. It cannot just be buried in the soil or thrown into the garbage bin as it would contaminate the environment. Moreover, though it does gradually deactivate over time, radioactive waste stays radioactive for a long time. How long depends on what is called the ‘half life’ of the atoms that are emitting the radiation. However, most of the time, radioactive waste will take several centuries or even millennia to completely deactivate. There are several ways of disposing of radioactive waste. One way is to encase it in very thick concrete containers and bury it deep under the sea. Scientists have suggested that the motion of the deep sea waves actually helps to deactivate radioactive waste more quickly. Some radioactive waste can also be ‘recycled’ and used to generate more nuclear energy. However, in all cases, it is crucial that radioactive waste is disposed of safely and by trained professionals.
Conclusion.
As science advanced, radiation became an increasingly important part of human society. Though atomic decay has been used for what can be argued to be positive means, such as generating nuclear energy, radioactive material can be a very hazardous pollutant.
As has been explained above, radioactive pollution can be very damaging to living organisms. It can cause illnesses that can be seen for several generations in the future. It can halt agriculture in affected regions by making the soil dangerous and sterile, and it can also cause immediate damage to the skin such as burns and sores.
So, it is very important to ensure that radioactive pollution does not occur. This can be done by taking the preventative measures described above.
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radioactive_contamination
http://www.importantindia.com/24051/radioactive-pollution
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