How long does it take to radiation from a nuclear accident disappear completely? (Chernobyl and Goiania)
It depends on the level of the accident. (In Chernobyl it varies from 3,000 to 20,000 years and in Goiânia it was 30 years.)
What are some of the major radioactive accidents in history, besides Chernobyl (Ukraine)? (List 2 at least)
Fukushima (Japan), Three Mile Island (USA), Goiânia accident (Brazil), Windscale (England) and Kyshtym (Russia).
Can radiation exposure change the human hair?
Yes. It can cause hair loss and changes in hair color, such as a loss of pigmentation or graying.
True or False? Is it possible to have cancer because of radiation exposure?
True.
How long should radioactive waste remain confined?
50 to 300 years.
Where was Brazil's biggest radioactive accident?
Goiânia.
What are the consequences of exposing yourself to radiation? (List at least 2)
Skin burns, genetic mutations, cell destruction or cell fragmentation.
True or False? Radiation from a dental X-ray can cause severe headaches.
False. Small doses of radiation – like those from medical and dental X-rays won't cause headaches or other problems.
In what year did the Chernobyl (Ukraine) disaster happen?
1986.
How does the radiation scale work in nuclear accidents?
The scale is from 0 to 7, classified in: deviations=O (without major safety risks) incidents = 1 to 3 accidents = 4 to 7.
True or False? We need to stay away from irradiated food because it's radioactive and dangerous.
False. Irradiation kills bacteria that makes you sick. It doesn't make the food radioactive or form harmful chemicals.
What is the main problem with nuclear power plants?
The contamination by the residues and wastes of nuclear energy production, which remain harmful to the environment for thousands of years.
What caused the nuclear accident at Chernobyl (Ukraine)?
During a capacity test happened an overload of energy, the cooling system stopped working, the heat caused an explosion in the reactor and fire.
What are the scale levels of the accidents in Chernobyl (Ukraine) and in Goiania (Brazil)?
Chernobyl is a level 7 and Goiania is a level 5.
What causes can radioactive accidents be caused by?
They can be caused by technical or human failures, and are characterized by the release of radioactive products into the environment.
What radioactive element caused the tragedy in Goiania (Brazil)??
Cesium-137 (Cs-137).
What can Chernobyl radiation cause in animals living around the nuclear power plant?
Mutations, diseases, morbidity and mortality.
True or False? People can die as a result of radioactive accidents.
True.