Abstract :

Ionizing radiation is a significant physical factor that, in cases of improper exposure or the release of radioactive materials into the environment, can impact environmental quality, the health of living organisms, and ecosystem balance. These radiations originate from natural sources such as cosmic rays, radionuclides in the Earth’s crust, and radon gas as well as artificial sources resulting from medical, industrial, and nuclear activities. This article aims to examine the environmental impacts of ionizing radiation, emphasizing the fundamentals of nuclear physics and the pathways of radionuclide transport within the environment. Conducted using a literature review and a descriptive-analytical approach, the study focuses on concepts such as radioactive decay, half-life, radionuclide activity, radiation type and energy, and radiation-matter interaction. Furthermore, it investigates the dispersion and transport pathways of radioactive materials in air, water, soil, and sediments, as well as their entry into plants, animals, and the food chain. Analysis of the literature indicates that the persistence and transport of radionuclides in the environment depend not solely on their radioactive activity but also on factors such as half-life, chemical properties, soil composition, climatic conditions, and bioavailability. Additionally, exposure to ionizing radiation may, under certain conditions, cause cellular damage and biological alterations in living organisms; however, the nature and severity of these consequences depend on the absorbed dose, dose rate, type of radiation, and the biological sensitivity of the organisms. Consequently, understanding the fundamentals of nuclear physics and simultaneously examining radionuclide transport pathways is essential for a better understanding of the environmental impacts of ionizing radiation. This study can provide the necessary scientific foundation for future field research on radioactive contamination across various environmental compartments.

---

Keywords :

environmental transport, food chain, Ionizing radiation, nuclear physics, radioactive contamination, radionuclides

---

References :

1. Clement, C. H. (Ed.). (2018). Proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium on the System of Radiological Protection. SAGE. International Symposium on the System of Radiological Protection.
2. Clement, C. H., Hamada, N., & Lecomte, J.-F. (2014). Radiological protection against radon exposure. SAGE.
3. Colombo, L. (2019). Atomic and Molecular Physics: A primer. IOP Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1088/2053-2563/ab2df2
4. European commission, food and agriculture organization of the united nations, international atomic energy agency, international labour organization, oecd nuclear energy agency, pan american health organization, united nations environment programme, & world health organization. (2014). Radiation protection and safety of radiation sources: international basic safety standards. International atomic energy agency. Https://doi.org/10.61092/iaea.u2pu-60vm
5. Grupen, C. (2010). Introduction to radiation protection: Practical knowledge for handling radioactive sources. Springer.
6. Hosoda, M., Anderson, D., Yamada, R., Fujishima, Y., Tanaka, K., Kudo, H., Omori, Y., Kranrod, C., Tazoe, H., Akata, N., Itaki, C., Miura, T., Kashiwakura, I., & Tokonami, S. (2026). Radiation research at Hirosaki University after the Fukushima accident: Contributions to public health, education, and community resilience. Radiation Medicine and Protection, 7(3), 124–136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radmp.2026.05.001
7. International Commission on Radiological Protection (Ed.). (2014). Protection of the environment under different exposure situations. Elsevier.
8. International Commission on Radiological Protection (Ed.). (2023). Proceedings of the Sixth International Symposium on the System of Radiological Protection. International Symposium on the System of Radiological Protection.
9. Internationale Atomenergie-Organisation. (2006). Fundamental safety principles: Safety fundamentals.
10. Internationale Atomenergie-Organisation (Ed.). (2008). Radiation protection in newer medical imaging techniques: CT Colonography. International Atomic Energy Agency.
11. Internationale Atomenergie-Organisation. (2011). Radiation protection and safety of radiation sources: International basic safety standards; general safety requirements (Interim ed). International Atomic Energy Agency.
12. Kai, M., Homma, T., Lochard, J., Schneider, T., Lecomte, J. F., Nisbet, A., Shinkarev, S., Averin, V., & Lazo, T. (2020). Radiological protection of people and the environment in the event of a large nuclear accident. SAGE.
13. Knoll, G. F. (2010). Radiation detection and measurement (4th ed). John Wiley.
14. Lindell, P. B. (n.d.). Editor: F. D. SOWBY ICRP, Sutton, Surrey.
15. Lochard, J., Bartlett, D. T., Rühm, W., Yasuda, H., & Bottolier-Depois, J.-F. (with International Commission on Radiological Protection). (2016). Radiological protection from cosmic radiation in aviation. Sage.
16. Naji, A. T., Alhelali, M. A., & Abu-hadi, T. M. (2026). Assessment of knowledge, attitudes, and practices about radiation protection and safety among radiology and operating room personnel. Radiation Medicine and Protection, 7(2), 106–113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radmp.2026.03.005
17. Prussin, S. G. (2007). Nuclear physics for applications: A model approach. Wiley-VCH-Verlag.
18. Reisz, J. A., Bansal, N., Qian, J., Zhao, W., & Furdui, C. M. (2014). Effects of Ionizing Radiation on Biological Molecules—Mechanisms of Damage and Emerging Methods of Detection. Antioxidants & Redox Signaling, 21(2), 260–292. https://doi.org/10.1089/ars.2013.5489
19. Sabol, J. (2023). Basic Radiation Protection for the Safe Use of Radiation and Nuclear Technologies. In T. J. FitzGerald (Ed.), Radiation Therapy. IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.108379
20. Taha, A., Zgair, I. A., Hussein, A. A., Hussein, N. N., Jamil, T. N., Hasan, T. H., & Mohammed, K. A. (2025). Biological Effects of Ionizing and Non-Ionizing Radiation: A Comprehensive Review of Health and Environmental Impacts. International Journal of Design & Nature and Ecodynamics, 20(4). https://doi.org/10.18280/ijdne.200417
21. Turner, J. E. (2007). Atoms, radiation, and radiation protection (3rd completely rev. and enl. ed). Wiley-VCH.
22. UNEP (Ed.). (2016). Radiation effects and sources: What is radiation? What does radiation do to us? Where does radiation come from? UNEP.
23. Valentin, J. (Ed.). (2005). Protecting people against radiation exposure in the event of a radiological attack. Elsevier.
24. Valentin, J. & International Commission on Radiological Protection (Eds.). (2007). The 2007 recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection. Elsevier.