Geology and Minerals

Environmental radioactivity

Environmental radioactivity is part of the overall background radiation and is produced by radioactive materials in the human environment. While some radioisotopes, such as strontium-90 (90Sr) and technetium-99 (99Tc), are only found on Earth as a result of human activity, and some, like potassium-40 (40K), are only present due to natural processes, a few isotopes, such as tritium (3H), result from both natural processes and human activities. The concentration and location of some natural isotopes, particularly uranium-238 (238U), can be affected by human activity, such as nuclear weapons testing.

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See also

• ▸Environmental impact of iron ore mining
• ▸Cycling shorts
• ▸Ironstone

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