Question

Man-made sources of radiation pollution are:
A. Mining
B. Explosion of nuclear weapons
C. Nuclear fuels and preparation of radioactive isotopes
D. All of these

Answer 1

Hint: Radiation pollution or radioactive pollution is the deterioration of the environment due to radioactive elements like arsenic or radium which are among the most toxic substances known. It harms human health and causes various diseases and abnormalities.

Complete answer: Radiation pollution can be defined as the degradation of the environment due to the release of radioactivity (emission of alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays) by changes in the atomic nucleus of radioactive elements causing short-range and long-range effects on living beings including humans. The man-made sources of radioactive pollution include X-ray machines, radioactive fallout(nuclear tests), nuclear reactor wastes, industrial, medical and research, uses of radioactive materials, etc. Radioactive fallout from nuclear explosions and radioactive waste from nuclear testing laboratories and nuclear power plants also causes pollution. During mining operations, the surface of the earth is dug open to bring out the underground mineral deposits. It completely devastates the topsoil and contaminates the area with toxic metals and chemicals. The radioactive dust that falls to the earth after the atomic explosions, is called radioactive fallout. It spreads all over the world and contaminates air, soil, water, and vegetation.
Therefore, the correct answer is option (D).

Note: When the radioactive material is released into the environment it causes the degradation of the environment. There are different man-made sources for radioactive pollution like mining operations which contaminates the soil and the surrounding area, the atomic explosion causes radioactive fallout, all the radioactive isotopes also cause different diseases in humans.