Abstract
A brief introduction to radioisotopes, radiation sources, types of radiation,
their applications, effects and occupational protection has been presented in this
chapter. The sources of radiation (whether natural or artificial) have been discussed.
However, special emphasis has been given to natural radioactive decay series and
artificial radioisotopes. Applications of ionizing radiations have significantly improved
the quality of human life. The contribution and application of radioisotopes in various
spheres of life, viz. tracing, radiography, food preservation and sterilization, eradication
of insects and pests, medical diagnosis and therapy and new varieties of crops in the
agricultural field, have been presented briefly. In this chapter, we have first discussed
the natural origin of radioactivity and the production of radioactive elements in neutron
and charged-particle streams, then exchanged the data and facts to see how high-energy
particles lose energy during their interaction with matter. Finally, fossil radioactivity,
artificial radioactivity, applications of radioactivity in medicinal and pharmaceutical
extent, and nuclear dating followed by some wide-range applications of radioactivity
have been discussed.