"Radioactivity is a part of our Earth. Commonly occurring radioactive materials appear through the Earths crust, the walls and floors of our homes, work, school, and on the food we eat and drink." (https://www.iaea.org/Publications/Factsheets/English/radlife) Even the air we breathe. Radioactivity is when an atom decays or breaks down into smaller elements and releases ionising radiation or particles, it can become highly dangerous if used incorrectly or in large amounts. Although there are many dangers of using radioactivity, there are also many positive uses of radioactivity. For example; Smoke detectors, medicine, radiography and food safety.
ADVANTAGE – Radiocarbon Dating
There is a significant amount of uses of Radioactivity on our Earth. For example; Radiocarbon dating, it is the method in which radioactive isotopes of carbon (C14) are used so scientists can estimate the age of a fossil by looking at the amount of decay in its radioactive carbon. The affect of radiocarbon dating on scientific history has made it one of the most pivotal discoveries of the 20th century. ( https://www.radiocarbon.com/about-carbon-dating.htm ). Without radiocarbon dating scientists would not be able to prove or disprove theories or figure out the age of organic materials or fossils that may/may not of roamed Earth for thousands of years.
DISADVANTAGE- Exposure
With positives there comes negatives of radioactivity, particularly to humans. Radiation exposure can have many different effects, providing the dose amount, which body parts are effected and what type the exposure was. The most significant factor is the amount of the dose, the amount of energy deposited in your body. The higher the amount of energy absorbed by cells, the higher the chance of damage. If you are exposed to small amounts of radiation over a long time, it raises your risk of cancer. "It can also cause mutations in your genes, which you could pass on to any children you have after the exposure." (https://medlineplus.gov/radiationexposure.html). Exposure to larger doses of radiation can cause; cataracts, malignant tumours, cancer, heart issues which can lead to cardiac arrest and death, thyroid, and gastrointestinal and reproductive tract issues. (http://www.atomicarchive.com/Effects/effects15.shtml). Radiation can lead to serious health issues, but it also does have many positives.
ADVANTAGE – Medicinal Uses
Radiation has many uses for everyday life. Radiation for medicinal purposes plays a vital role in our modern world today and without it we wouldn't be able to understand or see broken bones, early signs of diseases, treat cancer patients and many more serious issues happening in the world today. Radioactive tracers are used to investigate a patient's body without the need for surgery. Gamma emitters and sometimes beta emitters are used. This is due to gamma rays and beta particles being able to pass through skin, whereas alpha particles cannot. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_ocr_gateway/radiation/treatmentrev3.shtml). Gamma rays are also used to sterilise equipment, the gamma rays enter by the packaging, they will then deactivate viruses and kill bacteria. As long as the equipment remains in a sealed plastic pack it will remain sterile. (http://ns.ph.liv.ac.uk/~ajb/summerschool/files/nuclearapplications2.pdf)Without radioactive elements such as gamma rays, beta, and alpha, scientists would not be able to understand or do the "things" they can do today.
DISADVANTAGE – Weaponry
Radiation as weapons has become one of the most dangerous inventions in the modern world today. "A nuclear weapon is a weapon that gets its destructive power by turning matter into energy. All nuclear weapons are explosive devices. They are carried in missiles, bombs, artillery shells, mines, or torpedos." (https://www.worldbookonline.com/advanced/article?id=ar396520) A big enough nuclear war could disrupt Earth’s climate and livelihood so much that human life could not be possible. All nuclear weapons use fission to spark an explosion. Fission is when particular heavy atoms seperate and split into smaller, much lighter nuclei, whilst releasing energy in the process. Although there are many elements that are fissionable, there are only certain ones that are able to be used in nuclear weapons. The two most common are the isotopes uranium-235 and plutonium-239. (https://www.ucsusa.org/nuclear-weapons/how-do-nuclear-weapons-work#.W30Stbp_WhA). Nuclear weapons can cause serious issues to our health and especially to Earth.